WiFi QR Codes: Netzwerkzugangsdaten sofort teilen
Network credentials travel in a structured string rather than a URL, in the form WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword;; where T names the security type, S the SSID and P the password, with optional H for a hidden network and E for the EAP method on WPA2-EAP networks. T:WPA covers every WPA variant, T:WEP addresses the obsolete and insecure scheme, and T:nopass marks an open network and takes no password field. SSID and password have to match the network exactly, case included, along with any special characters, which is where most non-working WiFi codes turn out to fail.
WiFi QR Codes: Share Network Credentials Instantly
WiFi QR codes encode network credentials in a standard format that smartphones can read and use to connect automatically — no manual password typing required.
The WIFI URI Format
WiFi QR codes use a structured string format:
WIFI:T:WPA;S:MyNetwork;P:MyPassword;;
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
T |
Security type: WPA, WPA2-EAP, WEP, nopass | Yes |
S |
Network name (SSID) | Yes |
P |
Password | Yes (except nopass) |
H |
Hidden network: true/false | No |
E |
EAP method | No (WPA2-EAP only) |
Security Type Selection
- WPA/WPA2/WPA3: Use
T:WPA— covers all WPA variants - WEP: Use
T:WEP— but WEP is obsolete and insecure, avoid if possible - Open network: Use
T:nopass— no password field needed
Creating WiFi QR Codes
The SSID and password should be exact — case-sensitive and including any special characters. Special characters (;, :, \, ", ,) must be escaped with a backslash in the WIFI format.
Placement Strategies
Hotels and vacation rentals: Print the WiFi QR code on a card in each room. Guests scan once instead of typing a complex password.
Offices: Display at reception and meeting rooms. Separate QR codes for guest and internal networks.
Restaurants and cafes: Include on table cards or near the entrance. Combine with your URL QR code for your website.
Home: Attach to the router or a nearby surface for visiting guests.
Platform Compatibility
| Platform | Support |
|---|---|
| iOS 11+ | Native camera app |
| Android 10+ | Native camera app |
| Older Android | Google Lens or third-party apps |
| Laptops | Requires QR scanner app |
Security Considerations
WiFi QR codes contain your password in plain text — anyone who scans the code or sees the raw data gets your credentials. Mitigations:
- Use a separate guest network with limited access
- Rotate passwords periodically and reprint QR codes
- Do not use your primary network credentials on public-facing QR codes
- Consider WPA2-EAP with individual credentials for corporate environments
Key Takeaways
- WiFi QR codes use the
WIFI:T:;S:;P:;;format - Supported natively on iOS 11+ and Android 10+
- Special characters in SSID or password must be escaped
- Always use a guest network for public-facing WiFi QR codes
- WPA/WPA2/WPA3 are all represented by
T:WPA