QR Scheduling — Control When Your QR Codes Are Active

Set precise start and end times for your QR codes. Schedule campaigns in advance, limit promotions to specific windows, and automate QR code availability without manual intervention.

Automate Your QR Code Timing

QR Scheduling gives you precise control over when your QR codes are active, without manual monitoring.

Set & Forget
Automatic Activation

QR codes automatically activate and deactivate at your scheduled times with no manual intervention

Reversible
Not Permanent

Unlike expire rules, scheduling is reversible. Adjust your time windows anytime and reuse QR codes for future campaigns

Per-Scan
Real-Time Enforcement

Schedule windows are checked on every scan in real time at the edge. No delays, no cron jobs, no stale state

UTC Safe
Timezone Aware

Set times in your local timezone. QRLynx automatically converts and stores everything in UTC for consistent global behavior

How QR Scheduling Works

Flexible time windows that adapt to any campaign, event, or promotion.

Start Date & Time

Set a future activation time for your QR code. Before the start time, anyone who scans the code sees an inactive page. The QR code automatically becomes active once the start time arrives. Perfect for coordinating launch dates across printed materials.

End Date & Time

Set a deactivation time for your QR code. After the end time, scans redirect to an inactive page. Combine with a start time to create a precise active window, or use alone to make a currently active QR code auto-deactivate at a specific moment.

Flexible Combinations

Use start only, end only, or both together. Start-only means the QR activates at that time and stays active indefinitely. End-only means active now but deactivates later. Both means active only during that specific window.

Dashboard Overview

See all your scheduled QR codes in one place with clear status indicators. Scheduled (not yet active), Active (currently within window), and Ended (window has passed). Jump directly to edit any schedule with a single click.

Works with Dynamic QR

Scheduling works with all dynamic QR code types. Change the destination URL independently of the schedule. The time window controls availability while the QR code itself remains unchanged on printed materials.

Respects Plan Limits

When a scheduled QR code activates, it counts toward your dynamic QR limit. QRLynx ensures your scheduled activations respect your plan boundaries so you never exceed your allocated QR code count.

Schedule a QR Code in 3 Steps

Setting up scheduling takes less than a minute from the QR code editor.

1

Open the Scheduling Toggle

From the QR code generator or edit page, find the Scheduling toggle in the settings panel. Click it to open the scheduling configuration modal.

2

Set Your Time Window

Enable a start time, end time, or both. Pick your dates and times using the datetime picker. Your local timezone is detected automatically and displayed clearly so there is no confusion about when the QR code will activate or deactivate.

3

Save and You Are Done

Click Save Schedule and your QR code will automatically follow the time window you set. Monitor its status from the Scheduling dashboard page where you can see whether each QR code is Scheduled, Active, or Ended.

Popular Use Cases for QR Scheduling

Teams across industries use scheduling to time their QR code campaigns precisely.

Event Promotions

Print QR codes on event materials weeks in advance. Schedule them to activate on the event day and deactivate when the event ends. Attendees see relevant content only during the event window.

Flash Sales & Limited Offers

Create QR codes for time-limited promotions. Set the exact start and end times for your sale window. Customers who scan outside the window see an inactive page instead of an expired deal.

Product Launches

Place QR codes on packaging or marketing materials before launch day. Schedule activation for the exact launch moment. Early scanners see a teaser or coming-soon page until the QR goes live.

Seasonal Campaigns

Reuse QR codes across seasonal campaigns by adjusting the schedule window. A holiday promotion QR code can deactivate after the season and be rescheduled for next year without reprinting.

Menu Rotations

Restaurants can schedule QR codes for lunch and dinner menus that automatically switch based on time of day. Weekend brunch menus activate on Saturday morning and deactivate on Sunday evening.

Coordinated Multi-Channel Launches

Align QR code activation with email blasts, social media posts, and ad campaigns. Set every QR code to go live at the same moment across all channels for maximum impact.

Scheduling vs. Expire Rules

QR Scheduling

  • • Reversible — adjust or remove the time window anytime
  • • Set both start and end times independently
  • • QR code can be reused for future campaigns
  • • Designed for recurring and time-boxed promotions
  • • Status shows Scheduled, Active, or Ended

Expire Rules

  • • Permanent — once expired, the QR code stays inactive
  • • Expire by date, scan count, or both
  • • Best for one-time use codes that should never work again
  • • Designed for limited-edition content and disposable links
  • • Status shows Active or Expired

Why QR Scheduling Matters for Your Business

Timing is everything in marketing. A QR code that leads to a promotion page before the promotion starts confuses customers. One that stays active after the deal ends wastes impressions and damages trust. QR Scheduling eliminates both problems by automating when your QR codes are available.

Unlike expire rules, which permanently deactivate a QR code, scheduling is fully reversible. You can adjust, extend, or remove the time window at any point. This makes scheduling ideal for recurring campaigns, seasonal promotions, and event-driven content where you want to reuse the same physical QR codes across multiple time periods.

Every schedule check happens at the edge on every scan. There are no background jobs, no cron delays, and no stale state. When a user scans a QR code at 11:59 PM and your schedule ends at midnight, the cutoff is precise. This real-time enforcement ensures your campaigns start and stop exactly when you intend.

All times are stored in UTC and converted to your local timezone in the dashboard. Whether your team is in New York, London, or Tokyo, everyone sees the correct local times and the QR codes activate at the right global moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is QR Scheduling?

QR Scheduling lets you set a start time, end time, or both for when a QR code is active. Before the start time, scans show an inactive page. After the end time, the same thing happens. During the scheduled window, the QR code works normally and redirects to its destination.

How is scheduling different from expire rules?

Expire rules permanently deactivate a QR code after a date or scan count threshold. Once expired, the QR code does not come back. Scheduling is reversible. You can change the time window, remove it entirely, or set a new window for a future campaign. Use expire rules for one-time codes and scheduling for recurring or time-boxed campaigns.

What happens if I set only a start time?

The QR code is inactive until the start time arrives, then it activates and stays active indefinitely. This is useful for product launches or campaigns where you want the QR code to go live at a specific moment but remain active afterward.

What happens if I set only an end time?

The QR code is active immediately and deactivates at the specified end time. This is useful for limited-time promotions that are already running and need an automatic cutoff.

Can I use scheduling and expire rules on the same QR code?

Yes. If both are set, expire rules take priority because expiration is permanent. If the QR code has expired, the scheduling window is irrelevant. If the QR code has not expired, the scheduling window determines availability.

What timezone are the times in?

The scheduling modal detects your browser timezone automatically and displays it clearly. Times you enter are in your local timezone. QRLynx converts and stores everything in UTC internally, so the schedule works correctly regardless of where in the world the QR code is scanned.

Is there a delay when the schedule starts or ends?

No. The schedule is evaluated on every scan in real time at the Cloudflare edge. There are no background jobs or polling intervals. When the clock hits your start or end time, the next scan reflects the updated status immediately.

Can I change the schedule after creating it?

Yes. Open the QR code editor, click the Scheduling toggle, and modify the start or end times. You can also remove the schedule entirely to make the QR code always active.

Which plans include QR Scheduling?

QR Scheduling is available on Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans. Starter and Starter+ users can upgrade to Pro or higher to unlock scheduling along with other advanced features like smart redirects, password protection, and access consent.

Where can I see all my scheduled QR codes?

The Scheduling page in your dashboard (accessible from the sidebar) shows all QR codes with active schedules. Each entry displays the start time, end time, and current status (Scheduled, Active, or Ended). Click Edit Schedule to jump directly to the scheduling settings for any QR code.

Does scheduling affect QR code analytics?

Scans that occur outside the scheduled window are not counted as successful redirects because the QR code is treated as inactive. Only scans during the active window trigger the normal redirect and are recorded in your analytics.

Can I reuse a QR code with different schedules over time?

Yes. After a schedule window ends, you can edit the QR code and set a new window for a future campaign. The physical QR code on your printed materials stays the same. This is one of the key advantages of scheduling over expire rules.

Ready to Automate Your QR Timing?

Set precise time windows for your QR code campaigns. Activate and deactivate automatically without lifting a finger.

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By QRLynx Team · Last updated:

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Free
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  • 3 Dynamic QR Codes Editable QR codes — change the destination URL anytime
  • 1,000 Scans / Month Soft limit — QR codes keep working
  • 30-Day Analytics View scan data from the last 30 days
  • JPG, PNG, WEBP Downloads
  • Pause & Activate QR Codes Pause QR codes to stop scans, reactivate anytime within your plan limit
Starter+
For more personal projects
$5.83 /mo
$70 billed yearly
  • 15 Dynamic QR Codes
  • Unlimited Scans
  • 30-Day Analytics
  • Custom Logo Upload
  • SVG / PDF Downloads
  • 3 Folders
  • 5 MB PDF Upload
  • JPG, PNG, WEBP Downloads
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Pro
Best for marketers
Everything you need for QR campaigns
$11.67 /mo
$140 billed yearly
  • 50 Dynamic QR Codes
  • Unlimited Scans
  • 60-Day Analytics Upgraded from 30 days
  • Password Protected QRs Require a password before showing QR content
  • Smart Redirect Rules Redirect by device, country, or time
  • Access Consent Screens Age verification, terms, disclaimers
  • Expiry Rules Auto-expire by date or scan count
  • QR Scheduling Set start/end times for QR activity
  • 5 Folders
  • 10 MB PDF Upload
Business
For teams & agencies
$24.17 /mo
$290 billed yearly
  • 250 Dynamic QR Codes
  • Unlimited Scans
  • 90-Day Analytics Upgraded from 60 days
  • Bulk QR (100/batch)
  • Team Management (3 Members) Invite team members to collaborate on QR codes, analytics, and folders
  • Lead Capture Forms Collect leads directly from QR code scans
  • 25 Folders
  • 20 MB PDF Upload
  • CSV Report Export
Enterprise
For large organizations
$82.50 /mo
$990 billed yearly
  • 1,000 Dynamic QR Codes
  • Unlimited Scans
  • Bulk QR (500/batch)
  • Retargeting Pixels Add Facebook, Google, GTM tracking pixels to QR landing pages
  • Team Management (10 Members) Invite up to 10 team members with role-based access control
  • White Label Domains Use your own domain for QR redirects (e.g. qr.yourbrand.com)
  • 100 Folders
  • 50 MB PDF Upload
  • Dedicated Success Manager

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Features most competitors charge extra for — included in every plan

39
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275+
Edge Locations
Sub-50ms redirects globally
Lead Forms
Capture Contacts
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Smart Rules
Conditional Redirects
By device, location, or time
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