Help & troubleshooting
Most problems come down to camera permission, lighting, or a tricky code. Here are the ones people hit most often, and how to get past them. New to CodePeek? Start with the step-by-step how-to.
The camera won't start
Live scanning needs two things: your permission, and a secure connection.
- When the browser asks to use the camera, choose Allow. If you dismissed or blocked it, open your browser's site settings for CodePeek, re-enable the camera, and reload the page.
- Make sure no other app is already using the camera — close it and try again.
- Check the address bar shows https. Browsers only give camera access to secure pages.
- Still stuck? Use Upload an image — it does not need the camera at all.
A code won't scan
- Hold the device steady and give the code plenty of light.
- Fill the frame with the code. Move closer for a small code, further back for a big one.
- Glare on a phone or monitor can defeat any scanner. Take a screenshot instead and use Upload an image.
- For an awkward code, open Decoding engine & self-test on the home page and switch the engine between Native and ZXing — one may read a code the other struggles with.
The result looks wrong or incomplete
CodePeek shows exactly what the code contains, even when that is messy or unexpected — a padded link, an odd character set, or a scheme it does not yet recognise. When it cannot classify a code, it still shows you the raw decoded text so nothing is hidden. If you think a common code type should be parsed and isn't, let us know via the about page; we grow the library of recognised formats over time.
Why am I warned about a link?
CodePeek highlights the real domain of any link and warns you when an address is insecure (plain http) or uses a lookalike, punycode domain dressed up to imitate a trusted site. It never opens the link for you — it just gives you what you need to decide for yourself.
Installing and uninstalling
- Install on iPhone/iPad: in Safari, tap Share, then Add to Home Screen.
- Install on Android: in Chrome, open the menu (⋮) and choose Install app.
- Install on desktop: click the install icon in the Chrome or Edge address bar.
- Uninstall: remove it like any other app — long-press the icon on a phone, or use your browser's app management on desktop.
Is it private? Does it work offline?
Yes to both. Everything is decoded on your device and nothing you scan is ever sent to a server, so there is nothing to intercept. Once installed, CodePeek works fully offline. The full details are in the privacy policy.