WiFi QR Codes Explained: How to Share Your Password the Easy Way
A WiFi QR code lets a phone connect to your network automatically when the camera is pointed at it — no typing, no reading out a 16-character password, no misheard letters. Once you have made one, you can put it on a card, frame it, or print it on a sticker for your router. This guide explains how they work, how to make one and what to watch out for.
How a WiFi QR code works
A WiFi QR code encodes a short text string that follows a standard format: the network name (SSID), the password and the security type. When a phone camera reads the code, the operating system recognises the format and presents a prompt asking if the user wants to join that network. On iOS 11 and later and Android 10 and later, this happens natively through the camera app — no third-party app required.
The format looks like this internally: WIFI:T:WPA;S:YourNetworkName;P:YourPassword;;. You do not need to type this yourself — the DoMyQR.com WiFi tab handles the formatting automatically when you fill in the fields.
Importantly, the password is stored in the QR code image itself. Anyone who scans the code or extracts the text from the image can read your WiFi password. Keep this in mind when deciding where to display it and who you are sharing it with.
Security types: WPA, WEP and nopass
When you create a WiFi QR code, you need to select the security type of your network. This is not something you choose — it is a property of your router's configuration. Here is what each option means.
| Security type | What it means | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| WPA / WPA2 / WPA3 | The current standard for home and business WiFi. Requires a password. | Almost all modern routers. This is the correct choice for the vast majority of networks. |
| WEP | An older, less secure protocol. Largely replaced by WPA. | Only older routers or legacy hardware. If your router still uses WEP, consider upgrading it. |
| None (nopass) | Open network with no password. | Public hotspots or guest networks with no security. The QR code will connect users without a password prompt. |
If you are not sure which type your router uses, check the router's label (usually on the back or base) or log in to the router admin panel. Most routers made after 2010 use WPA2.
Step-by-step: creating your WiFi QR code
- Go to the WiFi tab on DoMyQR.com
- Enter your network name (SSID) exactly as it appears — including capitalisation and spaces
- Enter your WiFi password
- Select the security type (WPA for most home and office networks)
- If your network name is hidden, tick the "Hidden network" option
- The QR code updates as you type — scan it with your phone to confirm it works before downloading
- Download as PNG for printing or SVG for high-resolution display use
Test the code with a phone that is not already connected to the network. This is the only reliable way to confirm it works.
Where to use it
The most common use is a guest WiFi card for visitors at home or a customer WiFi display in a cafe, office or hotel. A small framed card near the entrance, at a table or next to a smart TV remote covers most scenarios.
For businesses, a laminated A5 card at each table or counter is a professional and cost-effective solution. Include a short label ("Scan to connect to WiFi") so customers know what they are scanning. Many venues use a small QR code stand, which can be reused if the password changes — just reprint the card inside and discard the old one.
If you change your WiFi password, you will need to generate a new QR code. This is worth flagging upfront: putting the QR code on something that is hard to update (like a wall tile or a permanent sign) can create problems later. Laminated cards or framed prints are better because they are easy to replace.
What if the password has special characters?
Most QR code generators handle special characters in WiFi passwords without any issues. DoMyQR.com encodes the password exactly as you type it. If your password contains a backslash (\), semicolon (;), quote (") or colon (:), some generators may misformat the output. The safest test is always to scan the code you just generated with a fresh device before printing.
If you have a very complex password with multiple special characters and the generated code does not work, try simplifying the password on your router temporarily for a guest network, then regenerate.
Hidden networks
If your network is configured as hidden (the SSID is not broadcast), you can still create a WiFi QR code for it. On DoMyQR.com, tick the "Hidden network" option when generating the code. The phone will then search for the network by name rather than selecting it from the visible list. Hidden networks provide minimal additional security and can be more awkward to connect to, but the QR code process works the same way.
Privacy considerations
A WiFi QR code contains your password in plain text. If someone photographs your code or copies the image file, they can extract the password. For a home guest WiFi this is usually fine — you are sharing the password anyway. For a business, consider setting up a separate guest network with a simpler password specifically for the QR code, rather than exposing your main business network credentials.
Create your WiFi QR code for free
Enter your network name and password, and your QR code is ready to download in seconds. No account, no watermark.
Create WiFi QR code →WiFi QR code support varies by device and operating system version. iOS 11+ and Android 10+ support native scanning without additional apps.