The short version
Use Continuity Camera (iPhone) or a free Mac App Store scanner.
Step-by-step
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Step 1
Method 1 — Continuity Camera (iPhone + Mac)
Open Notes or Preview on your Mac, then File → Import from iPhone or iPad → Scan Documents. Point your iPhone at the QR; the scan appears on your Mac with the link decoded.
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Step 2
Method 2 — Free Mac App Store scanner
Open the Mac App Store, search "QR code reader", install one with good ratings, then point your Mac's webcam at the QR (or drag in an image of the QR).
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Step 3
Method 3 — Web-based decoder
Take a screenshot of the QR (Cmd+Shift+4 to capture an area), then drag the screenshot onto a web QR decoder like zxing.org/w/decode.jspx. Works without installing anything.
If it doesn't work
- Mac webcams are usually low-resolution — scanning a QR on screen works fine, but printed QRs work better via Continuity Camera.
- Some Mac App Store scanners are paid or full of ads — pick one with a clean privacy reputation. Avoid anything that asks for unrelated permissions.
- If you're scanning a QR shown on a phone screen, glare on the screen often breaks scanning. Tilt the phone slightly.
Frequently asked questions
Does macOS have a built-in QR code scanner?
Not as of macOS 14 — there's no system-level QR scanner like iOS has. The closest native option is Continuity Camera, which uses your iPhone or iPad as the scanning device with the result piped to the Mac.
How do I scan a QR code in a screenshot on Mac?
The easiest path is to drag the screenshot onto a web-based QR decoder (zxing.org or qrcoder.org). For a native solution, install a free Mac App Store scanner that accepts dragged images.
Can I scan a QR with the FaceTime camera?
Not directly — macOS doesn't include software that decodes QRs from the FaceTime camera. You'll need a third-party app from the Mac App Store, or use Continuity Camera with your iPhone for better results.