How to Scan a QR Code on a Laptop (Windows & Mac)

By: Belle B.Update: January 22, 2026

There are three ways to scan a QR code on your laptop: using Windows’s camera, an online QR scanner (without a camera), an app (macOS), or Google Lens.

By the end of this blog, you’ll know how to scan QR codes on your laptop quickly and easily, whether it’s a Mac or Windows.

Table of Contents

How to scan QR codes on your Windows laptop without extra software
How to scan a QR code on your MacBook
How to scan a QR code on a laptop without a camera
How to scan a QR code using Google Lens
How to scan a QR code on a laptop screen with your Android phone
- Android 7 and below
- Android 8 and above
How to scan a QR code on a laptop screen with your iPhone
Best apps and tools for scanning a QR code on your laptop
Frequently asked questions

How to scan QR codes on your Windows laptop without extra software

New-gen laptops allow users to scan QR codes using their laptop's camera. Most newly released devices now have built-in QR scanners. Here's how to scan on a Windows laptop:

Open the camera on your laptop
Click the QR code or barcode to enable scanning
Show the code to the camera so it can start scanning.

The scanner extracts the destination URL, which you can click to open a page or file directly in your browser.

How to scan a QR code on your MacBook

You can scan QR codes on your Mac using an app. Here’s how:

Download and install a QR code scanner app from the App Store
Open the app and activate the scanner
Show the code to the camera to let it scan
Copy or click the destination URL to access it

📌 If this doesn’t work, this may help: How to Scan a QR Code on Mac

How to scan a QR code on a laptop without a camera

If your Mac or Windows laptop can’t scan the code, you can use a free online QR code scanner to read QR codes from your computer easily. Here’s how:

Open a QR code generator on your browser
Click “Upload a QR code image to extract the URL”
Select the QR code image you want to scan
Copy the destination URL or link and open it in a new tab

How to scan a QR code using Google Lens

Use Google’s web-based QR scanner to read a QR code image on your laptop. Here’s how:

Go to Google and click the camera icon on the right side of the search bar
Drag the QR code image or upload the file
Copy the URL from the QR code
Paste it into the new tab to access it

For a shortcut, you can also do this:

Move your cursor toward the QR code image you want to decode, then right-click.
Once a window appears, scroll down and look for the Search image by Google option.
Click to let Google extract the website link or landing page it leads to.

📌 This may also help: How to Use Google Screen Search to Scan a QR Code

How to scan a QR code on a laptop screen with your Android phone

Here’s how to scan QR codes from your laptop screen using your Android phone:

Android 7 and below

Smartphones on Android 7 and below do not have built-in QR code scanner features, so you’ll need to download and install a third-party QR code scanner app.

When looking for a scanner app, ensure it’s compatible with your Android version. Otherwise, chances are it won’t work. Also, make sure to use one that has a good rating and a user-friendly interface.

Android 8 and above

If your phone runs on Android OS Oreo, Pie, or other recent versions, you can easily scan QR codes with your camera. Android 8 and above have a QR code scanner built into the app.

No need to download and use a third-party QR code reader app.

To scan a QR code on a PC, laptop, or any digital display screen using an Android device, follow these steps:

Launch the camera app and hover your camera over the QR code.
Once it recognizes the QR code, you will find a page with a link on your screen.
Tap the link to go to the landing page or embedded website.

If this doesn’t work, you can also use Google Lens. With Google’s latest image recognition technology, you can access the QR code by searching for images.

Here’s how you can use it to scan the code:

Open your Google Lens app. You can also launch your Google Assistant or open your camera app to activate Google Lens.
Hover your camera over the QR code to scan.
A link will appear on the screen. Click the pop-up link to access the website.

Another built-in QR code scanner on Android devices is the default browser. Depending on the model, it is located within the search bar.

To scan a QR code:

Open the browser and tap the QR code or barcode scanner.
Point the camera to the QR code to scan.
Wait for it to recognize and automatically direct you to the content.

How to scan a QR code on a laptop screen with your iPhone

iOS QR code scanner

Only iPhones with iOS 11 and up have a built-in QR code scanner in the Camera app. iPhones with older iOS versions do not support this feature.

iOS 11 and above

Here’s how to scan a QR code on your screen using iPhones running iOS 11 and up:

Open your camera app, making sure that the rearview camera is on.
Point your camera toward the QR code. Wait until a pop-up banner appears on the screen.
Click the pop-up banner. It will redirect you to Safari, where you can access the QR code content.

Other iOS versions

Here’s what you should do to scan a QR code on iPhone or iPad running iOS versions lower than 11:

Download a QR code scanner app from the App Store.
Activate the app by making sure that you turn on permissions.
Open the third-party QR code scanner app.
Point your camera at the QR code image.
Click the pop-up link that will appear on the screen. The link will immediately redirect you to Safari, where you can access the content.

Best apps and tools for scanning a QR code on your laptop

To help you out, here’s a list of the best QR code reader for laptops that you can easily find on the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store:

Minifier QR Code Scanner

QR code scanner by Minifier is a free laptop QR code scanner that can quickly and accurately scan any type of QR code. It’s great for scanning a QR code from a laptop screen.

You can take a screenshot of the QR code on your screen, save it, and then upload the image file from local storage to decode its contents.

If you have a detachable web camera, you can connect it to this online tool to scan the code like your phone. Within a few seconds, the Minifier QR code scanner will come up with decoded output results. The tool does not ask for sign-up or registration, simply land and start decoding QR codes.

Editpad QR code scanner

Another QR code scanner for a laptop you can use is the Editpad QR code Scanner, which lets you scan QR codes on your device’s screen.

This web-based tool allows users to upload an image of the QR code to read it and access its contents. Like Minifier, you can also use a web camera to scan the code.

Google Lens

Google has a free QR scanner for laptops. Its Search by Image feature lets you explore concepts through pictures and extracts the information a QR code stores.

Simply drag the image to upload or locate the file on your computer, and Google automatically shows the link, text, or any information it contains.

💡 You may also read: Here's How Google Lens QR Code Scanner Works

Bar-Code reader

The Bar-Code reader app is one of the earliest scanners on the Play Store and the App Store. This multi-barcode scanner lets you scan various barcodes displayed on any media.

You can access and share the QR code-embedded content on various platforms, such as Facebook, SMS, or email.

Though it comes with ads, the app is generally easy for mobile users.

If you wish to remove the ads, you can create an account and pay $0.99 to enjoy seamless QR code and barcode scanning.

QR & Barcode Scanner

With over half a billion downloads, this app by Gamma Play is one of the top QR code scanners on the Google Play Store.

A unique feature of this app is that it takes a picture of the QR code you are scanning. This picture is stored and can be viewed later. Thanks to this feature, you can go back to older QR codes if you wish to access their content again.

You can also scan QR codes on images stored in your phone, which means you can send the laptop QR code to someone with the app so they can decode it for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I scan a QR code from a static image shown on my screen?

Yes. You can scan one straight from an image on your device’s screen. As long as the picture is clear, not blurry, and has good contrast, your camera or scanner app will read it with no issues.

Can I scan a QR code displayed on my laptop screen with another device?

Of course. This is actually the easiest way to do it. Use your phone’s camera, point it at the QR code on your laptop screen, and wait for the link or prompt to show up. Make sure your screen is bright enough and the code is large enough for your phone to read it easily.

Can I scan a QR code directly with my laptop’s webcam?

It depends on your device. Open your laptop’s camera and see if there’s a QR code or barcode scanner option. If there’s an option, you can scan the code directly on your webcam. If not, use an online scanner or Google Search to scan easily.

How do I scan a QR code on Windows 10/11 using a phone?

To scan a QR code, open your phone’s camera and point it at the QR code on your Windows 10/11 screen. Once it reads the code, a link or pop-up will appear. Simply tap it to open. If your phone’s default camera doesn’t pick it up, use apps like QR TIGER or Google Lens.

Are there built-in options in browsers to scan QR codes from my screen?

Yes. Google can scan QR codes right from the search bar. Just click or tap the camera or lens to scan the code. Safari automatically detects them when you scan it with your Camera. On desktop, though, most browsers still need an extension or an online tool to scan QR codes from your screen.

How can I ensure the QR code on my screen scans correctly?

To scan codes from your screen correctly:

Make the QR code large enough (about 2x2 inches usually works)
Set the right screen brightness
Avoid glare or reflections if you’re scanning it with another device
Check that the image isn’t blurry or stretched

What should I do if scanning the QR code shows an error or doesn’t work?

If it still won’t scan, the code itself might be damaged or not generated properly. Try these quick fixes:

Zoom in or enlarge the code on your screen.
Adjust your screen’s brightness.
Wipe your camera lens. Smudges can cause issues.
Try another scanning app.
Double-check that the QR code isn’t cropped or distorted.

Is it safe to scan QR codes from my own screen?

Yes, it’s safe—as long as it came from a trusted source. You're good if it’s from a reliable source like a legit company website or a document you made yourself. Just be careful with random codes from unknown sites or emails, since some can hide phishing links. Always check the link preview before you open it.

Can I scan a QR code from a presentation or PDF on my laptop?

Definitely. You can scan QR codes from a slide, report, or PDF without errors. For presentations, just make sure the code is large and visible enough so everyone can scan it, even from a distance.

Any tips for scanning on high-resolution screens or small displays?

Yes. High-resolution screens can sometimes make QR codes look too fine for scanners to detect. To make it easier:

Use the original image instead of a screenshot if possible.
Hold your phone steady and let it focus before scanning.
Zoom in or enlarge the QR code image.
Keep your screen brightness at a comfortable level.
For smaller screens, zooming in usually does the trick.