My iphone 15 won't scan QR codes

The iPhone 12 had a completely different camera system with a different minimum focus distance.

You don't need to adjust zoom, and you do not need to fill whatever box is drawn by the app with the code.

Simply hold the phone far enough away that it can focus on the bar code or QR code and it will just scan.

This is an example; I placed a jar of peanut butter on the ground to see how small the bar code could be and it would still be readable, and this is an example; it was taken from a video, so it's a bit blurrier than a still would be:

That's incorrect.

The greater focus distance has nothing to do with lens quality, it's because of the larger sensor (leading to higher photo quality) used in the iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max and 15 Pro/Pro Max.

Apple is blaming the app developers and stated I should cont them. I contacted the developers and they recommend I perform a Google search for a fix. What they are really saying is Apple missed the boat on the new iPhone 15 when it comes to the camera because all of the Google searches state it’s the phone; leaning hard on hardware not software. I am so disappointed with Apple and the new phones. Since a few friends of mine own a SE and none of them have focus issues I will training mine in for a SE second generation.

FYI….Eligible products at the Apple Store Online that were purchased between November 3, 2023 and December 25, 2023, may be returned through January 8, 2024.

Those settings have to do with Assistive Touch and have nothing to do with scanning QR codes.

The key is, as mentioned, to make sure the code is in focus and it will scan instantly.

If a third-party app won't scan a code, it's entirely the fault of the third-party app's developer.

Not so…I have a iPhone 6, SE and 8 at my disposal and those devices DON’T have focus issues; bar codes are clear as crystal. I also tried the same apps on both of my iPads and again there are no issues. 

In my book, the focus issue is a BIG failure for Apple not only for placing the blame on others but because they haven’t addressed the problem to fix this issue. 

Yes iphone 15 max pro with ios 17 fors not scan uding iphone camera. Settings are ok (camera scanning enabled). It actually scans randomly (one in 50 attempts). There is something bad going on and Apple is not acknowledging this.

Not helpful. It’s blurry. Doesn’t work for anything. It’s a new and expensive phone. This bites

Tell move away from the code. This iPhone can scan or take picture clearly if you get too near. But get great pictures when you move it farther away.

I was experiencing the same issue and discovered that it was because I had the camera in portrait mode. If I switched to regular photo mode it works like it always did on my prior phones.

1) Which app are you scanning with?

2) Are you scanning from far enough away to allow the camera to focus?

You shouldn't need to tap focus, just hold it far enough away to allow the phone to focus itself.

I can’t scan barcodes at target or qr codes and the up close focus and tap does not work. It has always worked on older iphones. I am very unhappy with the iphone 15 pro max cameras. This is either hardware or software. It IS an issue and do apple employees even shop at target. Fix it already!

I have the same problem, I have always scanned my bar codes in my kroger, walmart etc apps. Also scanned bar codes on prescriptions, foods etc. now it wont scan.

I am very disappointed in my iphone 15, i am tempted to go back to my iphone 11. it took better pictures and i did not have as many problems as i am having with this phone.

It doesn't take "practice," and when you say "all previous iPhones" that's demonstrably not true as this is the same way things have worked since the introduction of the iPhone 14.

Moving the camera until the code you want to scan is in focus seems like an obvious skill.

Your iPhone 11 did not "take better pictures" though they may have been better for your particular uses.

If you read any independent review of the iPhone 15's cameras, you'll see the performance is leaps and bounds beyond what previous phones could accomplish.

If you're talking about computational photography and the processing Apple does, all premium smart phones work that way now due to customer demand; if you don't want processing applied, they provide the ability to shoot in RAW mode using third-party apps like Halide and Lightroom, though you then need to process the RAW files yourself.

If you have specific complaints, let Apple know at the link below; we're all just Apple users here and cannot change anything.

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