Can I read the Quran from my phone during prayer?

What the schools say

This question was discussed long before smartphones, about holding a printed Quran in prayer. Scholars apply the same reasoning to phones and tablets. In general:

• Hanafi: reading from a mushaf or screen during prayer invalidates it, because it counts as learning from an outside source while praying.
• Maliki: allowed in voluntary night prayers, especially when needed, but disliked in obligatory prayers.
• Shafi'i and Hanbali: generally allowed, especially in voluntary prayers such as Tarawih and qiyam (night prayer). Many still prefer reciting from memory in obligatory prayers.

Follow the view of the school or scholar you normally follow. If you don't have one yet, ask the imam at your local mosque.

Small movements are okay

Those who allow it point out that small, necessary movements don't break the prayer. The Prophet ﷺ prayed while carrying his granddaughter Umamah, putting her down when he went into sujud (prostration) and picking her up when he stood (Sahih al-Bukhari 516). Scrolling a little or holding a phone is seen as a similar small movement, as long as you're not doing much else with it.

For the five daily prayers

You don't need to know a lot. Al-Fatiha plus a few short surahs like al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas are enough for every daily prayer. If you're a new Muslim still learning al-Fatiha, scholars are very understanding: do your best, repeat what you know, and keep learning. See Do I need to know how to pray before I become Muslim?

If you do use your phone

• Turn on airplane mode or do-not-disturb so calls and notifications don't interrupt you.
• Open the page before you start and use a stand or hold it steady.
• Keep movements minimal: a quick scroll, not tapping around the app.

Worried about calls? See What if my phone rings while I'm praying?