How to Scan a WhatsApp QR Code: Step-by-Step Guide
A WhatsApp QR code is a way to link the account on your phone to another device or person in a matter of seconds. The most common use is the code displayed on the WhatsApp Web screen, but there are several types of QR codes in WhatsApp that serve different purposes. In this guide, we’ll explain what each one is used for, how to scan them, what to check if the code isn’t scanned, and how to link your account to the WapFlow dashboard.
Types of WhatsApp QR Codes
When people search for “WhatsApp QR code,” they usually mean the linked device code, but there are actually three different uses within the app:
| QR Code Type | What is it used for? | Where can you find it? |
|---|---|---|
| Linked device code | Links your account to a computer, browser, or dashboard | The screen of a panel such as WhatsApp Web, the desktop app, or WapFlow |
| Contact QR code | Allows someone else to add you to their contacts without having to enter your number | The QR icon next to your name on the WhatsApp Settings screen |
| Group invitation code | Shares the invitation link for a WhatsApp group as a code | The invitation link section within the group information |
Menu names may vary slightly depending on the phone’s language and WhatsApp version. The rest of this article focuses on the linked device code.
How to Scan a WhatsApp Web QR Code?
Your phone’s regular camera won’t work to scan the code; you must open the camera from within WhatsApp.
- Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser on your computer. A QR code will appear on the screen.
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- On Android, tap the three dots in the top right corner; on iPhone, tap the Settings tab.
- Go to the "Linked Devices" section, then select "Link Device."
- If your phone asks for a fingerprint, face ID, or screen lock, verify it.
- Hold the camera up to the code on the screen. Pairing will complete in a few seconds.
If you don’t want to scan the code or if your camera isn’t working, you can use the “Connect via Phone Number” option on the same screen. In this case, a code will be generated that you’ll enter on your phone.
Connecting Your WhatsApp Account to WapFlow with a QR Code
WapFlow uses WhatsApp’s linked device mechanism. This means that when you scan the code on the dashboard, your account is added as a linked device, just like on WhatsApp Web. WapFlow is not an official WhatsApp Business API service and has no affiliation with WhatsApp or Meta.
- Log in to the dashboard and open the "My Accounts" page from the left menu.
- Click the “Add New Account” button and give the account a name you’ll recognize.
- Leave "QR Code" selected as the connection method, then click the "Generate QR Code" button.
- On your phone, go to WhatsApp > Linked Devices > Link Device and scan the code.
- Once the status on the account card shows "Connected," the account becomes selectable in sending and other tools.
Pairing Code Instead of QR Code
If it’s difficult to hold your phone’s camera up to the screen—for example, if you’re using the panel on a single phone—select “Pairing Code” as the method. Enter your phone number with the country code, without the "+" sign or spaces at the beginning (e.g., 905xxxxxxxxx). Enter the code displayed on the panel by going to "Connected Devices" > "Connect Device" > "Connect with Phone Number" on your phone.
QR Code Not Scanning: Common Issues
Most issues stem not from the code itself, but from the screen, timing, or connection. Check the following in this order:
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The camera doesn’t detect the code at all | Screen brightness is too low, there’s glare, or the distance is incorrect | Increase the brightness, zoom in on the page, or move the phone a little farther away and try again |
| The code disappears or refreshes | Scans are valid for a short time | Scan the code as soon as it’s generated; if it’s expired, generate a new one |
| It’s stuck on the “Connecting” screen | Your phone or computer has a weak internet connection | Try connecting your phone to a different network, refresh the page, and generate a new code |
| The phone says "Unable to connect to device" | You may have reached the limit on the number of connected devices | Close any unused sessions from the "Connected Devices" list |
| The account won't connect in WapFlow | The proxy associated with the account may not be working | Test the account’s proxy settings or temporarily disable the proxy |
It’s also important to make sure WhatsApp is up to date on your phone; the steps for connected devices may look different in older versions. If you’re using a proxy, you can find the test steps in our proxy settings guide.
QR Code Security: Important Considerations
Scanning the linked device code grants access to your account for the session on that screen. Therefore:
- Do not scan QR codes sent to you. Messages like “Scan this code to win a prize” or “Verify your account” are a common method used to hijack accounts.
- Only scan codes on pages you trust. Make sure the address bar displays web.whatsapp.com or the actual address of the platform you’re using.
- Check your linked devices regularly. Open the "Linked Devices" list on your phone; if you see any sessions you don’t recognize, log out of them.
- Log out on shared computers. Log out when you’re done, or end the session from your phone.
- Turn on two-step verification. This option in WhatsApp settings adds an extra PIN layer of protection to your account.
What Should You Do After Connecting?
Sending a high volume of messages immediately with a newly linked number puts your account at risk. First, organize your contacts, then start with a small audience. “Account warming” for new numbers ensures a gradual start; you can also check our WhatsApp bulk messaging guide for your first message. We’ve covered the other sections of the dashboard in our “First Steps” guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find my WhatsApp QR code?
The QR code used to add contacts is located in the WhatsApp Settings screen, next to your name. The code used to connect to a computer, however, appears not on your phone but on the screen where you’ll connect, such as web.whatsapp.com.
Can the QR code be scanned with the phone’s regular camera?
The linked device code cannot be scanned. You must open the camera from the Linked Devices > Link Device step within WhatsApp.
Is it enough to scan the QR code just once?
Yes, you don’t need to scan it again as long as the session remains active. If you log out from your phone or if WhatsApp logs out the connected devices, you’ll need to scan the code again. Connected sessions may also close if the phone isn’t used for an extended period.
Does the phone need to stay on after pairing?
Connected devices can work even when the phone isn’t connected to the internet, but the phone needs to connect to WhatsApp from time to time. Some operations in WapFlow—such as requesting old chat history from WhatsApp—require the phone to be online.
Can I link more than one number to WapFlow?
Yes. The number of accounts you can link depends on your plan; please check the pricing page for current limits.
