Fresh TOEFL Second Camera QR Code in 2026
To get a fresh TOEFL second camera QR code in 2026, return to the active Home Edition check-in session and use the code shown there. Do not rely on an old screenshot or a code from a closed tab.
The Short Version
1 active session: Use the QR code displayed in the check-in session you are currently completing.
2 permissions: The mobile page needs camera and microphone access.
2 supported mobile systems: ETS lists iOS 12 or later and Android 8 or later.
1 Mbps minimum: ETS states that the second-camera device needs a stable internet connection with at least 1 Mbps.
2 recovery paths: During check-in, rescan when prompted. During the test, follow the proctor's reconnection instructions.
How Do You Get a Fresh TOEFL Second Camera QR Code?
Return to the active check-in screen and use the QR code shown in that session. ETS explains that Home Edition check-in begins from the Start Test link in the order confirmation or the My TOEFL Home dashboard. The test app opens, you enter the virtual waiting room, and you connect the second camera when applicable.
A practical fresh-code sequence is simple: close an abandoned mobile camera page, keep the active computer check-in session open, wait for the current QR code, scan it with the phone or tablet camera, select the link that appears, and allow camera and microphone access. Use the current screen rather than a saved image because the code is part of a live check-in flow.
Do not keep rescanning several tabs. Multiple open check-in windows can make it unclear which session is active. Keep one appointment page, one test-app session, and one mobile connection attempt. This reduces the chance of pairing the phone with an abandoned session.
| What you see | What to do | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| A QR code in the active check-in window | Scan it once, open the displayed link, and allow permissions. | Do not use a screenshot from an earlier session. |
| A prompt to rescan during check-in | Use the new code now shown and reconnect the same approved device. | Do not create several competing connections. |
| A disconnect during the test | Stay seated, get the proctor's attention, and follow the reconnection instructions. | Do not leave the room or independently restart unrelated apps. |
Why Might the Old QR Code Stop Working?
The old code may belong to a session that is no longer active. This can happen after closing a check-in window, reopening the test app, losing the connection, or moving between multiple tabs. ETS specifically says that if the second camera disconnects during check-in, the test taker will be prompted to rescan the QR code.
The code can also appear to fail when the mobile page opens but camera or microphone access is blocked. Check the browser permission prompt first. If permission was denied, use the device browser settings to allow access for the current page, then return to the active check-in screen and reconnect in one controlled attempt.
A weak or changing connection can produce another false start. ETS lists a stable internet connection with a minimum speed of 1 Mbps for the second-camera device. A single successful speed test is not enough if the phone keeps moving between Wi-Fi and mobile data, so disable automatic network switching when possible and use the connection you tested.
What Should the Phone Show After You Scan?
The mobile device should open the camera connection page and request access to the camera and microphone. After access is allowed, position the device in landscape mode about an arm's length from the computer.
The final frame should show the entire computer screen, full keyboard, mouse or trackpad, both hands while typing, and the side of your face. ETS says the device should sit on the side closest to the wall so the room remains visible. A heavy mug or stable phone stand is acceptable, while unstable or hard-to-inspect supports should not be used.
Use the TOEFL readiness check before test day to identify practical setup gaps. A checklist cannot replace ETS's live equipment check, but it can help you catch missing power, unstable support, blocked permissions, or poor framing while you still have time to fix them.
What If the Fresh QR Code Still Does Not Connect?
Stop repeating the same failed scan and check the connection in a fixed order. First confirm that the computer still shows the active appointment and check-in session. Second confirm that the phone opened the current link. Third check camera and microphone permissions. Fourth confirm that the phone remains online. Fifth remove an abandoned mobile page before trying the current code again.
If the problem happens during check-in, continue through the official flow and use the rescan prompt. If the problem happens after the test has started, speak and wave to get the proctor's attention. ETS says the proctor will temporarily stop the exam and give instructions for reconnecting the mobile device.
Keep a brief factual record only if the issue remains unresolved: appointment date and local time, the point in check-in where the failure occurred, the exact message shown, the device operating system, and whether camera and microphone permissions were allowed. Do not record the test session or capture secure test content.
For the wider setup sequence, review the TOEFL 2026 format guide and the 2026 preparation timeline. These resources help separate format preparation from test-day logistics, which makes the final setup easier to manage.
How to Practice This
Aidoss Academy recommends the S-E-T loop: Stabilize, Eliminate risk, Target review. Stabilize means using the same phone, browser, network, power cable, and stand you plan to use on test day. Eliminate risk means closing spare tabs, disabling automatic screen lock, confirming permissions, and removing unstable supports. Target review means rehearsing only the weak step instead of rebuilding the entire setup every time.
Worked example: Open one practice page on the computer and display any harmless sample QR code. Scan it with the intended phone, confirm that the phone opens one page, allow camera and microphone access, place the phone in landscape mode, connect the charger, and check that the stand does not move while you type for 60 seconds. Then close the mobile page and repeat the sequence once from the beginning. The benefit is not memorizing a particular code. The benefit is making the connection routine familiar enough that a fresh code on test day does not create confusion.
Use the free Essentials edition of the TOEFL iBT 2026 Last 72 Hours Checklist to run the final setup review, then use the Complete Digital edition for the full exam-week sequence. The checklist gives the QR-code routine a fixed place inside a wider 72-hour plan, which reduces last-minute omissions and keeps preparation focused on verified tasks.
For a low-pressure browser exercise, use the sentence ordering game after the equipment rehearsal. A short language task confirms that your device setup is finished and lets you return attention to English rather than continuing to adjust equipment unnecessarily.
FAQ
Can I use a screenshot of the TOEFL second camera QR code?
No. Use the QR code shown in the active check-in session because an earlier screenshot may belong to a closed or replaced session.
Should I open another check-in tab to get a new code?
Keep one active check-in session whenever possible. Extra tabs can show different states and make it harder to identify the current code.
What if the second camera disconnects during check-in?
ETS says you will be prompted to rescan the QR code with the mobile device. Use the new prompt and current code rather than returning to an old mobile page.
What if it disconnects after the test starts?
Get the proctor's attention and follow the instructions provided. ETS says the proctor will temporarily stop the exam while the device is reconnected.
Source: ETS TOEFL Home Edition testing policies and second-camera guidance.
