QR Codes with Expiration Rules
Create temporary QR codes that automatically expire after a specific date or number of scans. Perfect for limited-time promotions, event access, flash sales, and time-sensitive campaigns.
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Customize your QR Code
Advanced Features
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Control Exactly When Your QR Codes Stop Working
Traditional QR codes live forever. That's great for some use cases, but what about flash sales that end at midnight? Event tickets that shouldn't work after the show? Promotional codes limited to the first 500 customers? With Expire Rules, you set the limits and we enforce them automatically.
Two Ways to Expire Your QR Codes
Choose date-based expiration, scan limits, or combine both for maximum control.
Date & Time Expiration
Set an exact date and time when your QR code stops working. Once the deadline passes, all scans are redirected to an expiration page.
Perfect For:
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Flash Sales & Promotions
"50% off until midnight Friday"
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Seasonal Campaigns
"Holiday menu available through December 26th"
- ✓
Event Tickets
"Valid for concert on March 15th only"
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Limited-Time Content
"Early access video expires in 48 hours"
Example: Set expiration to "December 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM" for a year-end sale. At midnight, it expires automatically.
Scan Count Limit
Limit your QR code to a specific number of scans. Once the limit is reached, no more access is granted. First come, first served.
Perfect For:
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Limited Quantity Offers
"First 100 customers get free shipping"
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Contest Entries
"Only 500 entries accepted"
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Sample Distributions
"50 free samples available"
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Exclusive Access
"Beta access for first 1,000 users"
Example: Set limit to 500 scans for a giveaway. Scan #501 sees "Sorry, all prizes have been claimed!"
Combine Both: Date AND Scan Limits
Use both expiration types together for maximum control. The QR code expires when either condition is met first.
Example: "Expires on January 1st OR after 1,000 scans, whichever comes first."
Real-World Use Cases
See how businesses use expiration rules to create urgency and control access.
Flash Sale Campaign
Retail / E-commerce
A clothing brand runs a 24-hour flash sale. They print QR codes on store displays that link to an exclusive online discount page. The code automatically expires at midnight, and late scanners see "This sale has ended - sign up for our newsletter to catch the next one!"
Expiration: Date-based (24 hours from campaign start)
Result: Creates urgency, clean transition after sale ends
Product Giveaway
Marketing / Promotions
A beverage company gives away 1,000 free drinks at a festival. Each poster has a QR code limited to 1,000 scans. Winners get a code to redeem at the booth, while everyone after sees "All free drinks claimed! Visit our booth for a special discount instead."
Expiration: Scan limit (1,000 scans)
Result: Controlled inventory, backup offer for latecomers
Event Tickets
Entertainment / Events
A conference sends QR-coded tickets to attendees. Each ticket is valid only for the event date and allows one scan for entry. After the event, the codes expire so they can't be reused for future events or shared online.
Expiration: Date-based (end of event day)
Result: Prevents ticket reuse, clean database after event
App Beta Launch
Technology / Startups
A startup launches a closed beta for their new app. They share QR codes on social media limited to 500 early adopters. Once filled, new scanners see "Beta is full! Join the waitlist for priority access when we launch publicly."
Expiration: Scan limit (500 beta users)
Result: Controlled beta size, builds waitlist for launch
Limited Menu Item
Restaurant / Food Service
A restaurant introduces a special dish for one week only. Table QR codes link to this special menu. After the week ends, scanners see the regular menu again without staff needing to do anything.
Expiration: Date-based (7 days)
Result: Automatic menu rotation, no manual updates
Training Materials
Education / Corporate
A company distributes training handouts with QR codes linking to video tutorials. The content should only be accessible during the training period. After 30 days, codes expire to ensure compliance and control content distribution.
Expiration: Date-based (30 days from training)
Result: Content control, licensing compliance
How to Set Up Expiration Rules
Three simple steps to create self-expiring QR codes
Create Your QR Code
Start by creating a dynamic QR code with your destination URL. Customize the design with your brand colors and logo. Static QR codes cannot have expiration rules - you need a tracked, dynamic code.
Configure Expiration Rules
Open the "Expire Rules" settings for your QR code. Choose your expiration type:
- Date/Time: Select when the code should stop working
- Scan Limit: Enter the maximum number of allowed scans
- Both: Set both and the code expires when either is triggered first
Deploy & Monitor
Download your QR code and use it in your campaign. Monitor scan counts in your dashboard. When expiration occurs, users see a professional "expired" page. You can reactivate or extend at any time without reprinting.
Why Use Expiration Rules?
Create Urgency
Limited time or quantity creates FOMO and drives immediate action.
Control Access
Prevent unauthorized access after campaigns end or limits are reached.
Fully Automatic
Set it and forget it. No manual intervention needed when rules trigger.
Reusable Codes
Reactivate or extend expired codes anytime without reprinting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about QR code expiration rules
What are QR code expiration rules?
Expiration rules allow you to set automatic limits on your QR codes. You can expire a QR code after a specific date/time, after a certain number of scans, or both. Once expired, the QR code shows a custom 'expired' message instead of redirecting to the destination.
How do I set a QR code to expire on a specific date?
When creating or editing a dynamic QR code, open the 'Expire Rules' settings. Select an expiration date and optionally a time. After that moment passes, anyone scanning the code will see the expiration page instead of being redirected to your destination.
Can I limit how many times a QR code can be scanned?
Yes! Set a maximum scan limit (e.g., 100 scans, 500 scans, or any number). Once the limit is reached, the QR code automatically expires. This is perfect for limited quantity offers, contest entries, or exclusive access passes.
Can I use both date expiration AND scan limits together?
Absolutely. You can set both rules simultaneously - the QR code expires when EITHER condition is met first. For example: 'Expire after December 31st OR after 1,000 scans, whichever comes first.' This gives you maximum control over your campaigns.
What happens when someone scans an expired QR code?
Expired QR codes redirect to a clean, professional expiration page that says the content is no longer available. This is much better than a broken link or 404 error. Enterprise users can customize this page with their branding.
Can I reactivate an expired QR code?
Yes! Expiration is not permanent. You can edit the QR code settings at any time to remove expiration rules, extend the date, or increase the scan limit. The same QR code becomes active again without needing to reprint anything.
Do expire rules work with password-protected QR codes?
Yes, expiration is checked before password verification. If the code is expired, users see the expiration message immediately. They won't be prompted for a password on an already-expired code.
Are scans from the same person counted multiple times?
Yes, every scan counts toward the limit regardless of whether it's from the same device or different devices. If you need unique visitor limits, contact us about Enterprise features that can track unique devices.
Can I see how many scans are remaining before expiration?
Yes! Your QR code dashboard shows the current scan count and the configured limit. You can monitor progress in real-time and adjust limits as needed before the code expires.
What use cases are best for QR code expiration?
Expiration rules are ideal for: limited-time promotions, flash sales, event tickets, temporary access codes, contest entries, sample distributions, beta product launches, seasonal campaigns, and any scenario where you need controlled, time-bound access to content.
Starter
- Unlimited Static QR Codes
- Basic QR Types
- JPG, PNG, WEBP Downloads
- Watermark on QR Codes
- No Dynamic QR Codes
- No Analytics
Pro
- Unlimited Static QR Codes
- 50 Dynamic QR Codes
- Unlimited Scans*
- All QR Types
- SVG / PDF Downloads
- Branding & Logo
- No Watermark
- Analytics (30 Days)
- Country Location Data
- PDF Upload (5MB)
- 5 Folders Organization
Business
- Unlimited Static QR Codes
- 250 Dynamic QR Codes
- Unlimited Scans*
- All QR Types
- SVG / PDF Downloads
- Branding & Logo
- No Watermark
- Advanced Analytics (90 Days)
- Country / State / City Data
- Device Type / OS / Browser Platform Data
- CSV Report Export
- PDF Upload (20MB)
- Advanced Expiry Rules
- Redirect Rules (Device/Country/Time)
- Password Protected Codes
- 25 Folders Organization
- Priority Email Support
Enterprise
- Unlimited Static QR Codes
- 1000 Dynamic QR Codes
- Unlimited Scans*
- All QR Types
- SVG / PDF Downloads
- Branding & Logo
- No Watermark
- Advanced Analytics (90 Days)
- Country / State / City Data
- Device Type / OS / Browser Platform Data
- Retargeting (Meta Pixel, GTM, GA4)
- CSV Report Export
- PDF Upload (50MB)
- Advanced Expiry Rules
- Redirect Rules (Device/Country/Time)
- Password Protected Codes
- Custom Domain (Your Brand URL)
- 100 Folders Organization
- Dedicated Success Manager
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