How to Scan a QR Code from Your Screen

If a QR code appears in your screenshot, LamShot detects it automatically and shows a badge you can click to copy the encoded content. No separate QR scanner app needed.

How Automatic QR Detection Works

Every time you take a screenshot, LamShot runs a quick scan of the image looking for QR code patterns. This happens in the background, alongside any other processing like OCR. If a valid QR code is found anywhere in the captured area, LamShot decodes the payload and makes it available to you through a badge in the toolbar.\n\nThe detection engine handles standard QR codes as well as common variants like Micro QR and most QR codes used in URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, contact cards, and payment links.

Scanning a QR Code from Your Screen

1. Display the QR code on screen

   Open the website, email, document, presentation, or video frame that contains the QR code you want to scan. Make sure the code is fully visible and not cut off.

2. Capture the area with the QR code

   Press your LamShot capture hotkey and drag a region around the QR code. You do not need to be pixel-perfect — capturing a slightly larger area around the code is fine. LamShot can find the code even if there is other content in the screenshot.

3. Look for the QR badge in the toolbar

   After the capture, the LamShot toolbar appears. If a QR code was detected, you will see a QR badge or button — often labeled QR or showing a QR code icon — alongside the regular toolbar buttons. This badge only appears when a code is found.

4. Click the badge to copy the payload

   Click the QR badge. The decoded content — typically a URL, but it could be a phone number, Wi-Fi password, plain text, or a vCard — is copied to your clipboard. A small notification confirms the copy. You can now paste it into a browser address bar, a contact form, or wherever you need it.

Tips for Reliable Detection

Keep the QR code large enough on screen. A QR code that is too small — under about 80×80 pixels in the capture — may not be decoded reliably. Zoom in on the page or document before capturing if the code is small.\n\nCapture good contrast. QR codes need clear contrast between the dark modules and the light background. Screenshots of printed QR codes photographed with a phone camera are harder to decode due to perspective and lighting variations.\n\nAvoid capturing QR codes at an angle. The scanner works best with straight-on captures. If you are screenshotting a photo of a QR code that is tilted, detection may fail.

What Happens with the Decoded Payload

The decoded content is placed on your clipboard so you can use it immediately. Common payloads and how to use them:\n\nURL: Paste into your browser address bar and press Enter to open the link.\n\nWi-Fi credentials: The payload may include an SSID and password in plain text — paste it into a text editor to read the values.\n\nContact card (vCard): Some apps let you import vCard text directly; otherwise, copy the details manually.\n\nPlain text or code: Paste into any text editor or application that needs it.