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Wi-Fi QR code: connect without dictating the password

A Wi-Fi QR code is not a link: it is a card with the network name, the security type and the password. If one field is wrong, the phone will not connect.

Direct answer

Generate the code with the format WIFI:T:WPA;S:MiRed;P:MiClave;H:false;;. Use a guest network, not the main one, and test the QR code with iPhone and Android before printing it.

The format, field by field

The de facto standard for sharing Wi-Fi with a QR code uses this structure:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:NombreDeLaRed;P:Contraseña;H:false;;

  • T: security type. WPA covers WPA2/WPA3; WEP is legacy and you should not use it; nopass for open networks.
  • S: SSID, the exact network name, with capital letters and accents just as they appear.
  • P: password. If the network is open, it is omitted.
  • H: true if the network is hidden; false otherwise.

The double semicolon at the end closes the card. Many generators omit it and still work, but it is best to include it for maximum compatibility.

Special characters: the detail that breaks everything

The format uses the semicolon as a separator. If your password contains ;, ,, :, " or \, you must escape it with a backslash. For example, the password casa;2026 is written casa\;2026. If you do not, the reader cuts the password at the semicolon and the connection fails with no explanation.

Verification trick: after generating the QR code, scan it and check that the phone shows the exact network name before accepting. If the name appears cut off, the problem is the escaping.

A guest network, not the main one

Publishing a QR code with the password of your main network is the same as handing the password to anyone who walks by. The right move is to create a separate guest network, with client isolation and, if the router allows it, a speed limit and a schedule. That way a visitor cannot reach your devices or the printer.

Change the guest password every season or when the event ends. The printed QR code will stop working and you will have to reprint it, but you will have limited access. In an office, place it in the meeting room, not on the building front.

Where to place it and what size to use

A Wi-Fi QR code is usually scanned at 30–50 cm, so 3–4 cm per side is enough. Place it at eye level or on the table, with short text: “Guest Wi-Fi”. Avoid glossy lamination that reflects ceiling light. If the venue is large, print several instead of one giant one on the wall.

In hotels and restaurants, also add the network name as text: some phones have QR scanning turned off and some people prefer to type it.

Frequently asked questions

How is the format written?
WIFI:T:WPA;S:red;P:clave;H:false;;.

Does it work on any phone?
On modern iOS and Android, yes; the camera offers to join directly.

What if the network has no password?
Use T:nopass and omit P.

Can I hide the password from the QR code?
No: the QR code contains the password. Protect it physically and use a guest network.