Generating a QR code with Shortcuts
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Open the Shortcuts app
Shortcuts comes preinstalled on macOS. Open it and click New Shortcut.
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Add the Text action
Search for Text in the action library and add it, then type the URL or text you want encoded.
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Add the Generate QR Code action
Search for Generate QR Code and add it below the Text action, so it encodes that text.
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Run it and save the image
Click the play button, then save or copy the resulting image.
Where this falls short
It works for a plain URL or text string, but there's no color, shape or logo customization, no Wi-Fi or vCard templates, and the output is a fixed-size PNG with whatever default styling Shortcuts uses. Good for a one-off, not for anything meant to look designed or go on printed material.
QR codes with color, shape and a logo
FlexiQR generates QR codes for URLs, Wi-Fi, vCards and more, with full control over colors, module shapes and logo placement.
Scan with your iPhone to install FlexiQR
View on the App StoreFrequently asked questions
Can Shortcuts generate a Wi-Fi QR code?
Not with a dedicated template, but you can manually type the Wi-Fi QR text format into the Text action if you know the exact syntax.
Does the Shortcuts QR code expire?
No, a QR code just encodes text, it works for as long as whatever it points to (a URL, for example) stays valid.
Can I add a logo to a Shortcuts-generated QR code?
Not within the action itself, you'd need to add one afterward in an image editor, and doing that without breaking scannability takes care.