How to Scan a QR Code on Laptop Screens

Want to know how to scan a QR code on laptop and PC screens? All you need is an up-to-date smartphone or a QR code scanner app. 

But if you are referring to how to scan a QR code using the laptop itself, you can still certainly do so.

Read this blog to know how.

What is a QR code: A short recap

Developed in 1994, Denso Wave engineer and developer Masahiro Hara introduced QR codes as an upgraded version of the barcodes mainly used by stores in Japan.

This two-dimensional barcode offers a larger storage capacity, allowing users to embed Kanji and Kana characters along with alphanumeric ones.

Due to increased smartphone usage, better internet access, and the emergence of barcode software like a professional QR code generator, QR codes have become a mainstream tool used in various industries worldwide.

Today, many use QR codes to dispense digital information: marketers, retailers, manufacturers, educators, healthcare providers, restaurateurs, business owners, and government sectors.

The best thing about QR code technology is that it's accessible on smartphones and even laptops. Learn how to scan QR code on laptop below.

How to scan QR codes on your laptop or PC

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

• Go to the search menu and select Camera.
• Click the QR code or barcode icon to enable the feature.
• Show the code to the camera to start scanning.

The native QR code scanner on the laptop automatically extracts the destination URL, which you can click to directly open a page or file in your browser. 

How to scan a QR code on laptop screens using QR TIGER QR Code Generator 

If you see the QR code on screens and your smartphone can’t detect QR codes, you can still scan the QR code using a laptop device; here’s how:

• Open QR TIGER on your browser. 
• Click upload a QR code image to extract the URL.
• Upload a QR code image, and a URL will appear.
• Copy the link and open it on a new tab.

How to scan a QR code using Google Search

Another web-based QR scanner you can use is Google's Search by Image feature. This is the equivalent of Google Lens, which is available on most smartphones. Here are the simple steps to scan a QR code right on your laptop screen.

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

How to scan QR code on your screen using Android

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

You can readily scan a QR code using phones running on Android Oreo, Pie, and other latest versions because of their QR code scanner feature within the camera app.

There’s no need to go the extra mile to download third-party QR code reader apps.

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

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

You can also activate the Google Lens feature if it’s not internally activated. With Google’s latest image recognition technology, you can search for images and scan QR codes.

Here’s how you can use it:

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

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

To scan a QR code:

1. Open your smartphone's default browser and tap the barcode scanner. 
2. Hover your camera on the QR code to scan.
3. Wait for it to recognize and automatically direct you to the content. 

How to scan a QR code on laptop screens using iOS

Apple’s iOS 11 devices and up have QR code scanner features built in. The older versions, however, do not.

iOS 11 and above

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

1. Open your camera app, making sure that the rearview camera is on.
2. Point your camera toward the QR code. Wait until a pop-up banner appears on the screen.
3. 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 iPhones or iPads running on iOS versions lower than 11:

1. Download a QR code scanner app on your App Store.
2. Activate the app, making sure that you turn on permissions.
3. Open the third-party QR code scanner app.
4. Point your camera and scan the QR code image.
5. 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 QR code generator and scanner apps

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

QR TIGER

Aside from being a professional all-in-one QR code software online, QR TIGER also provides an easy-to-use QR scanner for laptops and other apps, such as Android and iOS users.

The user-friendly app offers unlimited QR code scanning capacity, fast QR code recognition, and an ad-free interface. This allows you to scan QR codes seamlessly without the hassle of ads popping up on your phone screens.

Moreover, you can also generate QR codes using the app for free. And you don’t need to sign up for an account, either.

You can create 14 different QR code solutions using the free app, namely:

• URL QR code
• WiFi QR code
• Text QR code
• Email QR code
• SMS QR code
• MP3 QR code
• Social media QR codes for Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Line

Editpad QR code scanner

The Editpad QR Code Scanner is a web-based tool that allows users to quickly scan and decode QR codes directly from any device with a browser and internet connection. 

Whether you need to access a URL, read contact details, or retrieve other encoded information, the Editpad QR Code Scanner offers a straightforward solution. 

The Editpad QR Code Scanner provides real-time QR code scanning capabilities. Simply upload an image of the QR code into the image input box and the tool will instantly decode the content.

This tool is best suited for users who need a quick and easy way to scan QR codes without downloading additional apps.

Kaspersky’s QR code scanner

Another free QR code scanner that you can find on the App Store and Google Play Store is Kaspersky’s QR code scanner.

Its security features help you from accessing unsafe QR code-embedded links.

With just one scan, Kaspersky’s QR code scanner immediately notifies you whether the encrypted link is safe for you to access.

The app also saves your scanning history, allowing you to re-access previously scanned QR code content anytime

Zapper QR code scanner

Zapper is a digital payment software that can scan a QR code on a laptop, phone, or PC screen to pay cashless.

If you’re looking for a QR code scanner to use when paying for your online shopping purchases, restaurant meals, or donations, this should be one of your choices.

With Zapper software, you can safely make speedy transactions, quickly find restaurants and stores that accept cashless or Zapper payments, and easily avail or access vouchers from your favorite stores.

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.

Using this app, 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 to use for mobile users.

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

Google Lens

Never look far as you can scan QR codes on your laptop using Google. Yes, the search engine's Search by Image feature not only lets you explore concepts through pictures but also 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.

This one is free to use, so you can scan as many pictures as you want!

Social media apps with QR code scanner feature to scan a QR code on a laptop

Even your favorite social media apps can scan QR codes. Get to know these in this list:

TikTok

The latest TikTok app update includes personalized QR codes for each user and a QR code scanner.

To access the in-app QR code scanner, here’s what to do:

1. Click the TikTok Profile icon at the lower right corner of your phone screen.
2. Tap the Find Friends icon located in the upper left corner.
3. The QR code scanner icon is in your screen’s upper left corner.

You can scan third-party QR codes, the ones not generated by TikTok, and access external links using this feature.

Snapchat

The instant messaging platform’s camera can now function as a QR code scanner. With this feature, you can access Snapchat content and other external websites.

Its quick image recognition capacity makes it much easier to read QR codes and reveal the embedded link.

This isn’t Snapchat’s first time with QR codes, though. In 2015, they released Snapcodes, a feature where users can create QR codes for their profiles.

LinkedIn

Professional social media platform LinkedIn now comes with unique user QR codes and a QR code scanner, though it can only scan in-app QR codes.

You can locate the QR code scanner by following these steps:

1. Launch the LinkedIn mobile app and click the search bar
2. The QR code scanner will appear at the upper right corner of the screen. Click it.
3. Two tabs will appear on your screen: My code and Scan. Tap the Scan tab to scan LinkedIn QR codes.

Instagram

Aside from customizable QR codes for profiles, posts, and reels, Instagram’s app update also introduced a QR code scanner.

And like LinkedIn, the in-app QR code scanner is exclusive only for scanning Instagram’s QR codes. You can’t use this to scan third-party QR code campaigns and access external links.

However, you can use your mobile IG app if you want to scan a friend’s Instagram QR code displayed on a laptop or PC screen.

Here’s how to access the scanner:

1. Open your Instagram app on your smartphone.
2. Click your profile photo located at the lower right corner of the screen.
3. Tap the menu at the upper right corner of your phone.
4. Select the QR code.
5. Click the Scan QR code button at the bottom part of the interface.

WhatsApp

This online messaging platform’s QR code scanner is also exclusive only to WhatsApp QR codes.

To use the scanner, here’s what you should do:

1. Open WhatsApp on your phone.
2. Click the three-dotted icon at the upper right corner of the screen to access the menu. Choose Settings.
3. Beside your profile photo is a QR code icon. Tap the icon to access your profile code and the QR code scanner.
4. Click the Scan code tab and point your camera at the WhatsApp QR code.

Use an all-in-one QR code generator and scanner for a convenient experience

Learning how to scan QR codes on laptop and PC screens is now important, as numerous industries worldwide are using QR codes to dispense information.

With up-to-date smartphones and QR code scanner apps, you can easily access a QR code’s embedded data or landing page anytime, anywhere.

QR TIGER, for instance, is a leading QR code generator and scanner that you can use to scan QR code images on a laptop or wherever they may be displayed.

Download the app today and start scanning QR codes on your mobile for free.

Frequently asked questions

How to scan a QR code on a laptop?

New-gen laptops can now scan QR codes using the Camera app. Newly released devices have built-in QR scanners for laptops. You can scan QR codes using the Camera app.

If your laptop does not support this feature yet, you can go to QR TIGER and upload the QR image to extract the stored URL.

How to create a laptop QR code?

To create a laptop QR code, simply go to a QR code software online. One of the best you can use is QR TIGER. It's simple and fast.

Just select a QR solution you want and put the laptop information. Generate QR and customize it. Then, hit Download to save your QR code for laptop.