Scan Screen QR Code

What it does

Finds and decodes codes anywhere on screen, then copies the result.

Whole screen or a region

Scan the entire display, or drag to select just the area you care about.

Menu bar or hotkey

Trigger a scan from the menu bar icon or assign your own global keyboard shortcuts.

Open links automatically

When a code is an http(s) URL, optionally open it in your browser right away.

Powered by Apple Vision

Reads angled, small, and low-contrast codes — plus Aztec, DataMatrix, and PDF417.

Private by design

Capture and detection run entirely on your Mac. Nothing is uploaded or stored.

Lightweight

A tiny sandboxed menu bar agent — no window clutter, no account, no analytics.

How it works

From click to clipboard in a second.

Choose a scan

Click the menu bar icon and pick "Scan Screen for QR Code" or "Scan Selected Area" — or use your hotkey.

It detects the code

The app captures the screen in-process and decodes any QR, Aztec, DataMatrix, or PDF417 code with Apple's Vision framework.

Result on your clipboard

The decoded text is copied and confirmed with a brief floating HUD. If it's a link, it can open automatically.

Privacy

Built to be trusted with the most sensitive permission on your Mac.

Screen capture and code detection happen entirely on your Mac.
Nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored, and no screenshot is written to disk.
No analytics, no tracking, no account — the App Store privacy label is "Data Not Collected."
The app is sandboxed, and the full source is open for anyone to inspect.

Support

Questions, bugs, or feedback — here's how to get help.

Contact

Found a bug or have a feature request? Please open a GitHub issue — or browse existing issues first.

"Nothing happens when I scan"

macOS requires Screen Recording permission. On the first scan the system prompts you — grant it in System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Screen Recording, enable Scan Screen QR Code, then try the scan again.

"No QR code found"

Make sure the code is fully visible on screen and not covered by another window. For small or tightly cropped codes, try "Scan Selected Area" and drag a box around just the code.

Requirements

macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Scanning the selected area currently targets the main display.