How do I put a QR code on my phone lock screen?
Create an image that contains your QR code in portrait phone size, save it to your photos and set it as lock screen wallpaper: on iPhone under Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper, on Samsung under Settings > Wallpaper and style. Keep the code in the lower half so the clock does not cover it, make it about half the screen width, dark on a white background with a margin around it. Samsung Galaxy phones also accept a video of up to 15 seconds as lock screen, so the area around the code can move; iPhone only shows motion through a Live Photo. Brandlix creates both, an animated 12-second video and an image with a scan-checked code, free once a day.
QR code on the lock screen: what each phone supports
| Phone | Still image | Moving lock screen | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (iOS 16 and later) | Yes | No video; a Live Photo can move on iOS 17 and later | Settings > Wallpaper > Add New Wallpaper > Photos |
| Samsung Galaxy (One UI) | Yes | Yes, a video of up to 15 seconds | Settings > Wallpaper and style > Change wallpapers > Gallery |
| Google Pixel and most other Android phones | Yes | No built-in video lock screen | Settings > Wallpaper and style |
| Brandlix QR lock screen | PNG image for every phone | 12-second video loop for Samsung | Free tool, one per day, the code is decoded before delivery |
Make the code scan from a lock screen
Phones read a QR code from another screen reliably when it is large enough, high in contrast and still. Use about half the screen width, dark modules on a white tile, a quiet margin of at least four modules and high error correction. Place it below the clock and above the flashlight and camera shortcuts. Turn the brightness up while someone scans. A logo in the middle is fine as long as the code still decodes; test it before you use it.
Still image or moving lock screen
A still image works on every phone and is the safe choice. A moving lock screen draws attention at events and at the counter, and on Samsung it is a normal video wallpaper. The rule for both: only the decor moves, the code itself never does. On iPhone, use the image, or convert the video into a Live Photo if motion matters to you.
What to link to
Link to the one page you want people to open in the moment: your booking page, the menu, a WhatsApp chat, your portfolio or a bio page with all your links. A static QR code holds the link itself and never expires; if the target changes often, point the code at a page you can edit instead of printing a new one.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a QR code on my lock screen without an app?
Can I put a QR code on my lock screen without an app?
Yes. Save an image with your QR code to your photos and set it as wallpaper in the phone settings. You only need an app or tool to create the image itself.
Why does my lock screen QR code not scan?
Why does my lock screen QR code not scan?
Usually it is too small, too low in contrast, covered by the clock or the shortcuts, or the screen is too dark. Make it about half the screen width, dark on white, place it in the lower middle and turn up the brightness.
Can the lock screen move on iPhone?
Can the lock screen move on iPhone?
Not with a video. iOS 17 and later can play a Live Photo when the phone wakes, so a converter app that turns the video into a Live Photo gives you motion. The plain image always works.
How long can a lock screen video be on Samsung?
How long can a lock screen video be on Samsung?
Samsung Galaxy phones accept a video of up to 15 seconds as lock screen wallpaper. A seamless loop of 12 seconds fits and repeats without a visible jump.
Should the QR code link to my website or a WhatsApp chat?
Should the QR code link to my website or a WhatsApp chat?
Link to what you want people to do right then: book, order, message you or follow you. For a shop or a service, a WhatsApp or booking link converts best in person; for a personal card, a bio page with all your links.
Is a QR code lock screen safe?
Is a QR code lock screen safe?
A static QR code only contains the link you choose and does not track anyone. Anyone who sees your screen can scan it, so link to public pages, never to private documents or login links.