Wi-Fi QR Code FAQ
Practical answers to the questions real cafe and restaurant owners ask about Wi-Fi QR posters: why it won't scan on iPhone, Android compatibility, lamination, print sizing, special characters, and privacy.
I point my iPhone camera at the QR code and nothing happens.
The native iOS camera auto-detects Wi-Fi QR codes from iOS 11 onward, but verify: (1) iOS version is 11 or later (Settings → General → About), (2) Settings → Camera → Scan QR Codes is enabled, (3) the code is centered in the viewfinder at 20–30 cm. If that still fails, open the QR code icon from Control Center to scan manually.
Does this work on Android? Which versions?
Android 10 and later detect Wi-Fi QR codes through the native camera or Google Lens. Some manufacturer camera apps (e.g. older Samsung One UI builds) do not support Wi-Fi QR, in which case use Google Lens or the Lens feature inside Google Assistant. For Android 9 or older, install any free "Wi-Fi QR reader" from the Play Store.
Can my password contain special characters like @ # or !?
Yes. The Wi-Fi QR spec requires only five characters to be backslash-escaped — \ ; , : " — and this tool handles that automatically. All other characters including @ # ! $ % go in as-is.
Can I laminate the printed poster and still have it scan?
Pick matte lamination, not gloss. Glossy lamination introduces glare that breaks scanning at oblique angles. If you've already laminated with gloss and find the QR is unreliable to scan, the practical fix is to reprint the poster and re-laminate with matte. If your venue is clean and the poster won't get splashed or handled roughly, skipping lamination entirely actually scans the most reliably.
Is the Wi-Fi password I type sent to any server?
No. This is a pure client-side app with no backend. QR generation, PNG export, and print preview all run inside your browser. Your SSID and password never travel over the network. You can verify this by opening your browser's developer tools and watching the Network tab — there are no outbound requests during input or QR generation.
What print size should I use?
A4 paper with the QR sized to roughly 12 cm square (the tool's default layout). That reads reliably from 30–80 cm away — table distance in a cafe or restaurant. For wall-mounted posters meant to scan from 1–2 m, print at A3. Anything smaller than business-card scale forces customers to hold their phone within 20 cm, which is awkward for table service.
My phone says "Connected" but I have no internet.
The Wi-Fi association succeeded, so this is not a QR code issue — it's the router or the ISP. Check the router's internet light, try connecting another phone to the same SSID to confirm the symptom, and reboot the router. In hotels and some chain venues, you have to wait for the captive portal (login page) to appear before any other site loads — try opening a browser and giving it a few seconds.
Can one QR code connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz?
It depends on the router. If both bands broadcast the same SSID (which most modern routers do by default), a single QR is enough — the router routes each device to the optimal band. If the two bands have different SSIDs (e.g. Cafe-2.4G and Cafe-5G), you need one QR per network; print both posters side by side.
Is this really free? Any ads or signup?
Completely free. No ads, no signup, no login, no usage limit. Print as many posters as you want.
Can I customize the design — add a logo or change colors?
Logo overlays and color customization aren't in the UI today. Venue name is customizable and shows up on the poster. If you need a logo'd version right now, the realistic workaround is to download the PNG from this tool and overlay your logo in Canva, Figma, or whatever design tool you already use. One genuine caveat: anything placed on top of a Wi-Fi QR reduces scan reliability, so keep the logo to roughly 20% of the QR area and run a real-phone scan test before you print in volume.