How WiFi QR codes work
The code stores a small text payload: WIFI:T:WPA;S:NetworkName;P:password;;. iOS 11+ and Android 10+ recognise it from the native camera and offer to join the network — no app required.
Special characters
Semicolons, commas, colons, quotes and backslashes must be escaped with a backslash inside the payload. The generator does that for you, which is why passwords with punctuation still scan correctly.
Practical placement
- Print at 4cm+ for a guest room or café table
- Laminate it — phone cameras struggle with glare on glossy paper
- Put it where guests actually sit, not by the router
- Regenerate when you rotate the password
Security reality check
A WiFi QR is a printed password. Anyone who photographs it joins your network. Use the guest network with client isolation enabled, and never put your main network's code in public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work on older phones?
iOS 11 and Android 10 added native support. Older devices need a QR scanner app.
Can I hide the password in the image?
The password is encoded in the pattern — it is recoverable by anyone who scans it. Treat it as public.
Why is my code not joining?
Check the security type matches the router (WPA2 vs WPA3 vs WEP) and that hidden-network is ticked only if the SSID really is hidden.
Privacy & Your Data
CSSmith runs entirely in your browser. Whatever you type, paste or upload is processed on your own device and never sent to a server — there is no backend to store it.