Setting a Scan Limit (Max Scans)

What Is a Scan Limit?

A scan limit lets you cap the total number of times a QR code can be successfully scanned. Once the counter reaches your defined maximum, the code automatically deactivates — preventing any further scans from reaching the destination. This turns your QR code into a controlled-access mechanism, perfect for limited offers, event tickets, giveaways, and promotions where the number of redemptions must be capped.

Because Lifetime QR Codes QR codes are dynamic, the scan limit is enforced server-side. The printed code itself does not change — the platform simply stops routing scans to the destination once the maximum is hit.

How to Set a Maximum Scan Count

1. Open My QR Codes and select the code you want to limit.
2. Click Edit to open the QR code editor.
3. Go to the Advanced Settings tab.
4. Find the Scan Limit section and toggle it on.
5. Enter the maximum number of scans you want to allow (e.g., 100, 500, 1000).
6. Optionally, enter a fallback URL to redirect users to once the limit is reached (see below).
7. Click Save to activate the limit.

The limit applies from the moment you save it. If the code has already accumulated scans, those count toward the total. Set your limit accordingly — for example, if you want 100 additional scans and the code already has 50 recorded, set the limit to 150.

What Happens When the Limit Is Reached

When a scan would exceed the maximum count, Lifetime QR Codes intercepts the request before routing it to the destination. You control what happens next through two options:

• Deactivate with default message — The scanner sees a standard Lifetime QR Codes inactive page informing them that this QR code is no longer available. This is the default behavior if no fallback URL is configured.
• Redirect to a custom URL — You can specify a fallback URL where scanners are sent once the limit is reached. Common uses include a "sold out" page, a waitlist signup form, or a general landing page. This gives users a meaningful next step rather than a dead end.

The scan that would have pushed the count over the limit is not recorded as a successful scan — it is counted as a blocked scan. You can see blocked scans separately in your analytics data.

Common Use Cases

• Limited-time offers and coupons — Issue discount codes or special offers redeemable only by the first N customers. Once the cap is reached, latecomers are redirected to a "this offer has ended" page.
• Event tickets and entry passes — Use scan limits on entry QR codes to hard-cap the number of valid entries to a venue or session without needing a ticket scanning app.
• Promotional giveaways — Run a "first 50 scans win" promotion with a QR code that automatically closes once 50 people have scanned.
• Beta access and exclusive drops — Control the rollout of new product launches, beta signups, or exclusive content by limiting the number of people who can access the link.

Resetting the Scan Counter

If you want to reuse a QR code with a scan limit for a new campaign cycle — for example, a monthly promotion that resets on the first of each month — you can reset the counter in the editor.

1. Open the QR code editor and go to Advanced Settings.
2. In the Scan Limit section, click Reset Counter.
3. Confirm the reset. The scan count will return to zero.
4. If you also want to change the maximum number of scans, update that value and click Save.

Resetting the counter does not delete historical scan analytics. All past scan data is preserved in your dashboard — the reset only affects the limit countdown going forward.

Monitoring Remaining Scans

You can see how many scans remain before the limit is reached directly in your Lifetime QR Codes dashboard:

• On the My QR Codes list view, codes with an active scan limit display a progress indicator showing scans used vs. the total allowed.
• Inside the QR code's Analytics panel, the scan limit status is shown at the top of the overview — including total scans, the configured maximum, and the number of remaining scans.
• Lifetime QR Codes can send you a notification when your QR code is approaching the scan limit (e.g., at 80% capacity). Configure notification thresholds in your account Notification Settings.