Someone sent you a Google Pay QR code on WhatsApp or saved it as a screenshot, and now you need to pay using that image. The good news: you do not need to print it or hold your phone up to another screen. Both Android and iPhone can scan QR codes directly from your photo gallery — and Google Pay has a built-in gallery option that most users never notice.
Method 1 — Scan QR Code from Gallery Inside Google Pay (Easiest)
- Open Google Pay on your Android phone
- Tap the Scan icon (QR code icon) on the home screen
- The camera viewfinder opens — look for a small image/gallery icon at the bottom right of the screen
- Tap the gallery icon
- Your phone’s photo gallery opens — select the QR code image
- Google Pay reads the QR code automatically and loads the payment details
- Verify the recipient name and amount — tap Pay
Method 2 — Use Google Lens (Works on All Android Phones)
- Open Google Photos on your phone
- Find and open the QR code image
- Tap the Google Lens icon (small circle with dots) at the bottom of the screen
- Wait for Lens to detect the QR code — a link or action appears
- Tap the result — if it is a payment QR code, it will open Google Pay automatically
Method 3 — Scan QR Code from Gallery on iPhone (iOS 15 and Above)
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone
- Find and open the image with the QR code
- Press and hold your finger on the QR code in the image
- A pop-up appears with the payment link or action
- Tap the link to open Google Pay and complete the payment
Note for iPhone users: This long-press QR detection works on iOS 15 and later. If long-press does not work, the image may be too blurry. Take a clearer screenshot and try again. Alternatively use Google Lens installed from the App Store.
Method 4 — Use Google Chrome Browser (Android and iPhone)
- Open Google Chrome
- Tap the Google Lens icon in the search bar (the coloured circle)
- Tap the image icon to select from gallery
- Choose the QR code image
- Lens detects the QR code and shows the payment link
All Methods Compared — Which to Use
| Method | Device | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pay built-in gallery icon | Android | Fastest | Google Pay QR codes — direct payment |
| Google Lens in Google Photos | Android | Fast | Any QR code — most reliable on Android |
| iPhone long-press in Photos | iPhone iOS 15+ | Fast | Any QR code on iPhone |
| Google Chrome Lens | Both | Medium | When other methods fail |
| Third-party QR scanner app | Both | Slow | Not recommended — unnecessary and ad-heavy |
QR Code Security Warning — Important
Scanning QR codes from images sent by unknown contacts carries risk. In 2026, QR phishing (called “quishing”) is increasingly common — fake QR codes redirect to payment pages designed to steal your UPI credentials.
- Always check the preview: Before tapping the link after scanning, verify the URL or UPI ID looks correct
- Check recipient name: In Google Pay, always verify the recipient name before confirming payment
- Do not scan QR codes from strangers: Only scan payment QR codes from merchants or contacts you trust
- No legitimate merchant asks you to scan to receive money: If someone asks you to scan their QR code to receive money — it is a scam. QR codes are for paying, not receiving
Troubleshooting — QR Code Not Scanning from Gallery
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| QR code detected but Google Pay does not open | Copy the UPI ID from the link and paste directly in Google Pay — New Payment — UPI ID |
| Google Lens icon not showing in Photos | Update Google Photos app — Lens icon requires recent version |
| Image too blurry to scan | Ask sender to resend a clearer image — zoom in and screenshot a cleaner version |
| Long press not working on iPhone | Make sure iOS 15 or later is installed — Check Settings — General — Software Update |
| Gallery icon missing inside Google Pay scanner | Update Google Pay app — use Google Lens method instead |
Open Google Pay and tap the scan icon. Look for a small gallery or image icon at the bottom right of the camera viewfinder and tap it. Select the QR code image from your photos. Google Pay reads it automatically and loads the payment. If you cannot find the gallery icon inside Google Pay, open the QR code image in Google Photos and tap the Google Lens icon at the bottom — this works on all Android phones.
On Android, open Google Photos and find the screenshot containing the QR code. Tap the Google Lens icon at the bottom of the screen. Lens detects the QR code automatically and shows the link or action. Tap the result to open the payment or website. This works on Android 10 and above without any additional app. On Samsung phones you can also use Bixby Vision or the Samsung Gallery built-in QR detection.
Yes. On iPhone with iOS 15 or later, open the QR code image in the Photos app and press and hold your finger on the QR code. A pop-up appears with the link or payment action — tap it to proceed. No third-party app is needed. If long-press does not work, the image may be too blurry or your iOS may be older than 15. Install the Google Lens app from App Store as a free alternative that works on all iPhone models.
Scanning QR codes from known contacts and merchants is safe. Always verify the recipient name and UPI ID in Google Pay before confirming payment. Be careful with QR codes from unknown senders as QR phishing is increasingly common in 2026 — fake codes redirect to fraudulent payment pages. A legitimate payment QR code is for you to pay the merchant — nobody should send you a QR code asking you to scan it to receive money. That is always a scam.
The most common reasons are: the image is too blurry to read, the Google Pay or Google Photos app needs updating, or the gallery icon has moved in a recent Google Pay update. Try using Google Lens in Google Photos as an alternative — open the image, tap the Lens icon and it will detect the QR code. If the image is blurry, ask for a clearer version or zoom in and take a fresh screenshot.
Yes. Google Pay has a gallery icon inside its QR code scanner that allows you to select an image from your phone’s photo gallery. Open Google Pay, tap the scan icon, and look for a small image or gallery icon at the bottom right of the camera screen. Tap it and select the QR code from your gallery. The exact position of this icon may vary depending on your Google Pay version — update the app if you cannot find it.
The best method in 2026 is Google Lens in Google Photos — open the image, tap the Lens icon, and it detects the QR code. This works on Android 10 and above without any extra app. For Google Pay payments specifically, use the built-in gallery icon inside Google Pay’s scanner. Do not download third-party QR scanner apps — they add unnecessary ads and permissions. Your phone already has everything you need built in.
Save the QR code image from WhatsApp to your gallery first. Then open Google Pay, tap the scan icon, tap the gallery icon inside the scanner and select the saved image. Alternatively open Google Photos, find the image and tap the Google Lens icon. Google Pay opens automatically with the payment details. Verify the recipient name before confirming. Never pay to a QR code from someone you do not know.
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Guide by Robins Antony, Digital Technology Writer, Webova Soft, Changanacherry, Kerala. QR scanning methods verified on Android 15 and iOS 17 as of September 2026. Google Pay interface updates frequently — steps may vary slightly by app version.
