How one can scan QR codes on Mac

Generally I really feel surrounded by QR codes. They appear to be current in all places, from enterprise playing cards to take-out menus to occasion invites. Plus, don’t overlook all of the QR codes on-line too, equivalent to those that seem if you attempt to allow 2FA (two-factor authentication). 

In your telephone, scanning a QR code is trivial, since that performance is constructed proper into the digital camera app on iOS and Android. However how do you scan a QR code on Mac?

Is there a QR reader for Mac?

Macs don’t natively assist QR code scanning. Nonetheless, it doesn’t make it inconceivable to learn QR codes on MacBooks or iMacs. To activate limitless QR code scanning potentialities, you simply want to put in a very good QR code reader app. 

There are no less than 3 ways you possibly can carry out QR seize on Mac: 

• Take a screenshot already in your Mac utilizing a particular app.
• Scan a QR code together with your iPhone by specializing in it with its digital camera and use Apple’s Continuity characteristic to open the hyperlink on Mac.
• Add the picture with a QR code to an internet QR code scanner platform.

All these choices work nicely for numerous use circumstances. Let me stroll you thru each, so you know the way to fireside them up when wanted.

How one can scan a QR code on the Mac display screen?

When you possibly can see a QR code in your Mac display screen — downloaded as a picture or featured on a web site — use an OCR (optical character recognition) device to learn it.

Scan QR codes utilizing OCR with TextSniper

TextSniper is a vital Mac utility that successfully extends the options of the built-in screenshot device. TextSniper additionally works as a QR code scanner:

1. Obtain and set up TextSniper.
2. Press Shift + Command + 2.
3. Choose any space with a QR code (or with textual content) whether or not it’s in a browser, doc, or presentation.
4. Await the notification “Copied to Clipboard” and paste your hyperlink wherever.
   

   

Obtainable by way of a shortcut and menu bar, TextSniper by no means will get in the best way, is lightning-fast, and works wherever in your Mac display screen. It’s additionally one of many best methods to include QR code decoding into your day by day work.

Plus, you need to use TextSniper with over 12 languages (e.g. English, French, German, Spanish). 

Improve the default screenshot device with CleanShot X

Whereas TextSniper is an OCR utility that does one factor nicely, CleanShot X provides the OCR performance to its roster of instruments for screenshotting in a bid to exchange the default screenshot utility. 

CleanShot X works completely as a QR code reader:

1. Obtain and set up CleanShot X.
2. From the menu bar select CleanShot X icon > Seize Textual content (OCR).
3. Seize the QR code and open the hyperlink in a browser.

   

In the event you scan QR codes usually, I like to recommend making a shortcut for this operate. In the event you have a look at the GIF above once more, you’ll discover that mine is Shift + Command + O (O as the primary letter in OCR).

CleanShot X has been my go-to screenshot device for a number of years now, and I dare say this QR code scanning methodology is probably the most snug on the market.

And typically, CleanShot X is every part that energy Mac customers needed the default screen-capturing device to be. It does all the essential captures utilizing the identical keyboard shortcuts however provides extra options, equivalent to a scrolling seize (for lengthy webpages) and self-timer. You may also disguise Desktop icons, return in historical past, and depart feedback and annotations. 

Certainly one of CleanShot’s greatest energy options is its direct integration with the CleanShot Cloud, which saves all of your screenshots and offers an on the spot hyperlink for sharing with others — no tinkering with e mail attachments required. 

Use screenshots, QR codes, and storage with Dropshare

In a manner, Dropshare is a mixture of the 2 apps above with the extra integration of storage. You join Dropshare to any storage supplier you employ (e.g. Google Drive, Backblaze, OneDrive), and it’ll immediately add any file you drop into it and give you a shareable hyperlink. 

Plus, Dropshare has intensive screen-capturing and annotation capabilities, together with studying QR codes from the display screen. 

When it’s worthwhile to learn a QR code on a pc: 

1. Obtain and open Dropshare.
2. Have a QR code seen in your display screen. 
3. Click on the Dropshare icon within the menu bar, choose the settings cog, and decide Learn QR code.
4. Drag a rectangle across the QR code and launch.
5. Paste within the QR code consequence out of your clipboard.
   

   

You’ll be able to see that TextSniper, CleanShot X, and Dropshare all allow you to scan a QR code on a Mac in the same manner. The distinction between these apps comes right down to what different options you wish to associate with it. In the event you simply need OCR and QR code studying, decide TextSniper. In the event you’re eager to exchange your default screenshotting utility, attempt CleanShot X. If you wish to not solely learn but additionally drag and drop a QR code into cloud storage, Dropshare will probably be your greatest guess.

Scanning and studying QR codes on a MacBook

In the event you hardly ever have to seize QR codes and don’t have any want for a separate app however nonetheless wish to know the best way to scan them, you need to use your iPhone. Its iCloud’s Continuity mode can ship resolved hyperlinks to your Mac. 

Right here’s the way it works: 

1. Scan a QR code together with your iPhone’s digital camera and wait till it hundreds the hyperlink. 
2. Open your Mac and look ahead to Safari with a telephone icon to look within the Dock. 
3. Click on on Safari with a telephone icon to open the QR code hyperlink in your Mac.

How one can scan QR codes from pictures

You may marvel the best way to scan QR codes from pictures with out utilizing your telephone. You probably have a QR code enterprise card that it’s worthwhile to scan, and your telephone is out of attain, you possibly can nonetheless scan the knowledge with this trick: 

1. Allow the digital camera in your Mac by opening Photograph Sales space.
2. Maintain the QR code as much as the digital camera and take a photograph.
3. Open the brand new picture in Images. 
4. Use any of the QR code studying instruments above for scanning. 

Whereas this methodology tends to work nicely, it includes so many steps that you just may start to query the comfort of QR codes. 

How one can scan a QR code on Mac: Solved

As you possibly can see, there are a number of the way to learn QR codes on MacBooks. To seek out out the one you want greatest — attempt all of them. TextSniper is an unbeatable OCR utility. CleanShot X has all of the screen-grabbing options you want. And Dropshare makes importing and sharing any recordsdata a breeze. 

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