How to Scan QR Codes on Windows or Mac Without a Webcam
Is your phone camera not working, or perhaps you don't have access to it right now? In that case, you can still scan a QR code from your Windows PC or Mac even without a webcam. In this article, we will show you how to scan QR codes on a PC or Mac using alternative methods.
Scan QR Codes With Windows or Laptop Webcam
If you have a laptop or PC with a webcam, you can use the native camera app itself, which comes preinstalled on Windows. It offers a simple and ad-free user experience. Here's how to use it:
- Open the Camera app on your Windows PC or laptop and switch to the Barcode tab.
- Point the QR code in front of the webcam. Once the scan is completed, it will display the URL or link of the webpage.
- Clicking on it will open the webpage on your default web browser.
Scan QR Codes Without Windows PC or Laptop Webcam
If you don't have a webcam for your desktop or your laptop's webcam is no longer working, you can rely on a third-party app to scan the QR code. Here's how:
- Install the QR Code Scanner (by Matthias Duyck) from the Microsoft Store.
- Once installed, open the app and go to the Open QR Image tab. Click on the Open Image File button.
- Select the QR image that you want to scan, and it will display the URL. You can copy it to the clipboard and paste it into your browser's address bar to open the webpage.
How to Scan QR Codes on Mac
Unlike Windows, Mac doesn't have a native web camera app to scan QR codes. So, we would be relying on a third-party app to do so. Here's how:
- Install the QR Capture application from the Mac App Store.
- Launch the app and open the QR image that you want to scan. Position the phone frame on top of the QR code and click on the Shutter button.
- Within a few seconds, it will open the webpage on your default web browser.
If you want to scan the QR code from your Mac's webcam, you can just click on the Camera icon and place the QR code inside the phone frame. It will automatically open the webpage on your browser.
How to Scan QR Codes Online (Browser)
If you don't want to install apps just to scan QR codes, you can try the online method. However, if you have a QR code that carries sensitive information, we wouldn't recommend using this method as your data may get stored on third-party servers. Here's how to scan a QR code online:
- Open the Web QR website on your desktop browser and allow Camera access if prompted.
- Point the QR code inside the frame, and once the scan is completed, it will display the webpage link at the bottom. Click on it to open the webpage.
If you want to scan a QR code without a webcam, you can click on the Camera icon and choose the QR picture. It will then show the website link at the bottom.
FAQs
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Why is my QR code not being recognized?
- Your QR code may not be recognized due to various reasons such as curved QR paper, poor lighting, wrong QR code, or an expired QR code.
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Are there any security risks involved in scanning QR codes?
- Yes, there are security risks associated with scanning QR codes. Attackers can create fake QR codes for malicious activities like phishing, malware, collecting personal data, redirecting to the payment gateway, and more.
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My webcam is not working or detecting. What do I do?
- Some common reasons for webcam issues include not granting QR scanner app access to your camera, antivirus blocking webcam access, or incompatible webcam drivers.
Transform Your Computer Into a QR Code Scanner
While you may never feel compelled to use a QR code scanner on your computer with your smartphone nearby, there are instances when focusing on work without distractions becomes crucial. We hope the methods mentioned above will help you scan QR codes from your Mac or Windows computer. Before you go, you can also check our listicle on the best ways to create QR codes.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”