Wi-Fi QR codes
A simpler welcome for your guests
Let visitors join a network without typing a long password. Enter the exact network name, encryption setting and password, then test on a guest device before displaying it.
Make it useful from the first scan.
The password is encoded inside the image and can be read by anyone with access to it. Use a guest network, display it only where intended and replace the printed code when credentials change.
Share guest access with the right boundaries
A Wi-Fi QR code stores a network name, security setting and password. A compatible phone reads those details and may offer to join. It does not create a network or improve the router signal. Anyone who can see the image may also extract its password, so treat a printed image as a written credential. Do not display an internal staff network password in a public waiting area.
Use a dedicated guest network configured on your own router. Confirm the network name exactly, including capitalization and spaces. Match the security option to the network configuration, and use the hidden-network option only when appropriate. This workflow is intended for password-based guest networks; enterprise sign-in, captive portals and device certificates can introduce extra steps that a simple image cannot eliminate. Ask your network administrator which guest access method is appropriate.
Place the code where visitors have a usable signal and can comfortably hold their phone. Include the guest network name and a short instruction such as Scan to join guest Wi-Fi. A visitor who cannot scan still needs another way to request access. When the password changes, replace every displayed copy, including the copy in a welcome email or rental booklet. Keep an inventory of placements so old credentials are not left on noticeboards. Test with a device that has forgotten the network; a phone already connected can hide an incorrect password.
A worked example
A meeting room has separate staff and guest networks. The receptionist creates a static image for the guest network, prints a desk card and tries it on a phone with the saved network removed. The test includes walking to the far end of the room to check signal. When access details change the following month, the team replaces the reception card and the room binder together. Editing a workspace cannot rewrite a password stored inside an old static image.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving trailing spaces in a copied password.
- Testing only on a device already connected.
- Displaying credentials where the guest signal is weak.
Prepare, test, then publish.
- Choose the destination and check its details.
- Generate your code and preserve its white border.
- Test the artwork at the intended size, on a real phone.
Keep an accessible alternative such as a short written website address alongside the code. A QR image should make information easier to reach.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hide the password inside the code?
No. Encoding is not encryption. A scanner can recover the network credentials even when the password is not printed as visible text.
What happens when I change the password?
A static image still contains the old password and must be replaced. Test the replacement before removing your fallback access instructions.
Why does my phone not join?
Check the exact credentials, network security and signal first. Some devices or networks require manual steps; keep ordinary connection instructions available.