Smart QR Codes
How Smart QR Codes Work
Smart QR Codes separate the printed QR Code from the destination it sends visitors to.
Last updated
July 2026
Overview
Traditional QR Codes permanently store information inside the QR Code itself.
Smart QR Codes work differently.
Instead of containing the final destination, the QR Code contains a unique identifier managed by Sqanna.
When someone scans your QR Code, Sqanna securely redirects them to the destination you've configured.
This extra step allows the destination to be changed at any time.
The process
When a visitor scans your QR Code:
- Their device reads the QR Code.
- The QR Code connects to Sqanna.
- Sqanna determines the current destination.
- The visitor is redirected.
The entire process normally happens in a fraction of a second.
Why not store the URL directly?
Embedding the destination directly into the QR Code means it can never be changed.
If your website changes, every printed QR Code immediately becomes outdated.
Smart QR Codes solve this problem by separating the printed QR Code from its destination.
Additional benefits
Because Sqanna manages the redirect, Smart QR Codes can also support features such as:
- Scan analytics
- Destination updates
- Scheduled redirects
- Device-aware redirects
Additional functionality may become available over time without requiring you to replace existing QR Codes.
Is the redirect noticeable?
For most users, the redirect happens so quickly that they won't notice it.
Best practices
Use Smart QR Codes whenever the destination might change in the future.
Even if you don't expect changes today, using a Smart QR Code can save significant time and money later.