QR code scanner

When a phone camera isn’t the answer

Your phone camera reads QR codes in the real world. This page is for the cases it can’t handle easily:

• A QR code on your own screen: in an email, a PDF or a screenshot. Save or screenshot it and upload the image.
• Scanning on a laptop or desktop, using the webcam.
• Checking a code before opening it, such as one on a parking meter or an unexpected letter, where you want to see the full link first.
• Getting the WiFi password out of a WiFi QR code, to type into a laptop or games console.

Checking a code is safe

Fake QR stickers placed over real ones on parking meters and EV chargers are a growing scam. They lead to look-alike payment pages. The scanner shows the complete contents and labels the type (link, WiFi, contact, email, phone, location or text). Read the web address carefully before opening it: look at the domain right before the first single slash.

The Open button only appears for secure https links to public websites, plus email, phone and map links. Plain http links and addresses on private networks are shown but not linked. You can still copy them if you’re sure.

If a code won’t read

• Crop the image so the code fills most of it.
• Make sure the whole code, including all three corner squares, is in frame.
• Avoid glare across the code when photographing a screen or glossy paper.
• This page reads QR codes only. For product barcodes, Data Matrix and others, use the barcode scanner.

Questions