WiFi QR Code: Share Your Network Without Typing the Password
A WiFi QR code lets anyone scan with their phone camera and join your network instantly — no typing the SSID, no spelling the password out loud, no “is that a zero or an O?” Generate one once, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Quick answer: the format
WiFi QR codes encode a string in this exact shape:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:Password;;Replace NetworkName with your SSID and Password with your WiFi password. The T: field is the encryption type.
What the fields mean
| Field | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
T: | Encryption type | WPA, WEP, or nopass |
S: | SSID (network name) | HomeNet5G |
P: | Password | hunter2! |
H: | Hidden network (true/false) | true |
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, both. iPhones running iOS 11 or later can scan WiFi QR codes from the native Camera app and connect with one tap. Android 10+ does the same. No third-party app needed on either.
Use cases that actually save time
- Cafes and restaurants. Tape it to the menu or the wall. Customers join in two seconds instead of asking the barista.
- Airbnb hosts. Print it on the welcome card next to a clickable contact link. No more guests photographing your fridge magnet.
- Office guest networks. Stick one in the lobby, one in the meeting room. Done.
- Home for visitors. Family asking for the password again? Send them a QR.
- Events and pop-ups. One QR at the entrance covers everyone.
Hidden networks
If your SSID is hidden, add the H:true flag:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:HiddenNet;P:secret123;H:true;;Without that flag, scanners won’t find the network because it doesn’t broadcast.
Open networks (no password)
For a network with no password, use nopass and skip the password field:
WIFI:T:nopass;S:GuestWifi;;Special characters in the password
Some characters need to be escaped with a backslash:
- Semicolon (
;) →\; - Comma (
,) →\, - Colon (
:) →\: - Backslash (
\) →\\ - Double quote (
") →\"
If your password has any of these, escape them or your guests will see “incorrect password” forever.
Is it safe to print?
Yes — to a point. Anyone with line of sight to the QR code can join your network, same as anyone who reads a written password off a sticky note. For a home network, that’s fine. For a business, set up a separate guest network with no access to your main LAN, then make a QR for that one.
How to generate one
- Open the QR code generator on LinkMyPrompt.
- Pick “WiFi” as the type.
- Fill in your SSID, password, and encryption (WPA is the default for almost every modern router).
- Download the PNG, print it, stick it where guests can see it.
The whole thing takes about 30 seconds. No app, no signup.
Print-friendly tips
- Minimum size: 2 cm × 2 cm (about 0.8 in). Smaller and phones struggle to focus.
- High contrast. Black on white reads cleaner than colored versions.
- Test before printing 50 copies. Scan with your own phone first.
- Add the network name in plain text below the QR as a fallback.
FAQ
Can I change my password without making a new QR?
No. The password is baked into the code. If you change it, generate a fresh QR and reprint.
Does it work for 5GHz networks?
Yes. The QR doesn’t care about the frequency band — it just hands the SSID and password to your phone.
What about WPA3?
Most scanners still use the WPA tag for WPA2 and WPA3 networks. It works in practice, even though there’s no official WPA3 tag in the standard.
Can I add an SSID with emojis?
Technically yes. Practically: don’t. Some routers and scanners choke on non-ASCII characters in the SSID.
Will it expire?
No. The QR code is just a static string. As long as the network name and password don’t change, the same code works forever.
Ready to make one? Generate a WiFi QR code here — free, no account.