My brand-new iPhone 14 Pro won't scan smaller (and sometimes medium) QR codes and barcodes. The camera is blurry, and won't focus when I tap on it. An example is that I can't scan the QR code on the receipt from my local branch of the US Post Office. I never had this problem with my old iPhone XS.
Is there something I can change to fix this?
iPhone 14 Pro
Hi RPVapple,
Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities! To help isolate the issue, can you tell us if you're using a specific app when scanning QR codes or the built-in one on your device? Is your iPhone updated to iOS 16.5? If not, we'd recommend updating as updates can often help. To update, please follow the steps below:
Update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly
1. Back up your device using iCloud or your computer.
2. Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
3. Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.
4. If you see more than one software update option available, choose the one that you want to install.
5. Tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, then tap Install Now. If you don't know your passcode, learn what to do.
After updating if the issue continues, we recommend that you reach out to Apple Support directly to take a further look. Please reach out here:
Hope this helps!
Have a great day.
Hello RPVapple,
Thanks for checking.
Is it only the smaller QR codes from specific places?
Is it only having an issue on that paper from the US Post Office?
Are you following the steps here: Scan a QR code with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Do any QR codes work?
Do you see blurry images when attempting to take any other pictures or scans?
Open up a web search, and look for test QR codes. Do not use third-party apps, such as Yuka, as it's not necessary, and we need to isolate this fro the iPhone and camera or the individual codes.
For help with the Yuka app, please contact the developer: How to contact an app developer - Apple Support
Open your camera, and try the online test QR codes following the help article above. Do they all work?
Thanks.
Hey there RPVapple,
As this is occurring in several apps that can scan QR codes, but the common theme is that they work when it brightly lit environments, we'd like to take a closer look at the rear camera in your iPhone.
To continue ruling out some other possible causes, we recommend following these steps as they address overall issues with an iPhone camera: If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working
If the issue remains, we also recommend letting Apple Support know what's been tried as they'll be in the best position to assist further: Get Support
Cheers!
I'm using the built-in QR code reader on my phone. All of my apps and the iOS are updated. If the QR code is big and brightly lit it will work, but if it's smaller or a little darker it won't.
I'm also having problems when I try to use the Yuka app to read barcodes. It works if the barcode is big and brightly lit, but otherwise it won't focus.
Yes, I'm following the steps to Scan a QR code that you link to above. The QR code on that page works.
QR codes work if they're bigger and brightly lit. When I shine a very bright light directly on the post office QR code, it eventually works. But it won't work in my office with just the overhead light on.
Same with the Yuka app. If bar codes are big and the lighting is good, it will work. But otherwise it won't.
I just remembered that I'm also having problems scanning checks to deposit with my Wells Fargo app.
None of these were ever a problem with my iPhone XS. The iPhone 14 Pro seems to not be able to focus close enough when taking a picture for an app, especially if there's anything but really bright light.
I'm not seeing blurry images when taking other pictures.
I'm not surprised. I've read about this in other forums. I probably won't get support for this in a store as my closest store is pretty far away, and when I purchased this phone their wifi was so bad that they couldn't transfer data from my old phone to my new phone.
Thanks. The camera and the flash work. I'll follow up with Support.
Same problem here . Apple Store claimed it’s all the 3rd party apps that are not working with apple camera correctly and not the device
iPhone 14 Pro won't scan smaller QR codes and barcodes
