Invite and add friends with a QR code

Published 2026-10-24

Your invite link can also be shown as a QR code. A friend can scan it with the phone's own camera, or you can scan theirs inside ChatLite. Either way the result is the same: their ID is filled in and you select Add friend.

What you will do

You will show your QR code to a friend, scan a friend's code with ChatLite, and add them from a photo when the camera is not an option.

Before you start

You have started ChatLite and have a profile. Without a profile ChatLite cannot create your invite.
For scanning with ChatLite: a device with a camera and permission to use it. The camera guide helps if the browser blocks it.
You cannot use the scanner during a call. End the call first.

Steps

Show your code

On the Conversations list, select Add Friend. The dialog is titled Invite a friend.
Select Show QR. ChatLite shows Show this screen to your friend with your code.
Your friend scans it with the phone camera. The text under the code says Scan it with the phone camera to open your invite link. The link opens ChatLite with your ID already filled in.
Select View other options to go back to the link and ID buttons.

Scan a friend's code inside ChatLite

In the same dialog, select Scan their QR. The camera dialog is titled Scan friend QR.
Allow the camera if the browser asks. ChatLite shows Preparing the camera… and then Looking for a QR code…. On a phone it prefers the rear camera.
Hold your friend's code inside the frame.
When the code is read, ChatLite shows Invitation QR recognized. and QR scanned. Tap Add friend to continue. The ID is now in the field.
Select Add friend. ChatLite shows Friend added! and opens the conversation in your list.

Read a code from a photo

In the same dialog, select Scan their QR and then Read QR from photo.
Choose a photo or screenshot that contains the code. ChatLite reads it and fills in the ID the same way.

How to tell it worked

On the scanner: Invitation QR recognized. and the friend's ID appears in the field.
After Add friend: Friend added! and the conversation is in your list.
On the other device: the conversation appears automatically, and the first message you send arrives there.

If something goes wrong

This is not a valid ChatLite invitation QR.

The code is not a ChatLite invite, or the picture is too blurry or small. Ask for a fresh code and hold the camera steady.

You cannot add your own invitation QR.

You scanned the code from your own screen. The code has to come from the other person.

Camera unavailable. Check permission or choose a photo.

The browser did not provide a camera. Allow it in the site settings, or use Read QR from photo instead.

Camera QR scanning is unavailable during a call.

End the call and open the scanner again.

Could not load the QR code

ChatLite could not create your code. Check your connection and select Show QR again, or send the link with Copy link instead.

Already friends

That person is already in your list.

Failed to add friend

Check your connection and select Add friend again.

What ChatLite does not do

A QR code is only another form of your invite link. Anyone who scans it can add your ID, so show it to people you want to connect with and not on a public screen.
The scanner only recognises ChatLite invitation codes, not other QR codes.
Scanning needs a camera that the browser can use. On a computer without a camera, use the link or ID instead, or load a screenshot with Read QR from photo.
A QR code does not verify who the other person is.

Privacy and data

Your QR code is generated by ChatLite for your anonymous user ID and contains the same information as your invite link. The scanner reads the code on your device. The camera is used only while the scanner is open, and nothing is added to your list until you select Add friend.

Reviewed against ChatLite's current behavior on 2026-10-24.