FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Photon QR — from getting started to advanced features.

💡 General

What is Photon QR?

Photon QR is a dynamic QR code platform built by Mind Vision Software Solutions. It lets you create QR codes for 10 different use cases — URLs, business cards, menus, PDFs, and more — and edit them any time after printing. Every QR code comes with built-in scan analytics so you can see exactly how it performs.

What is a dynamic QR code?

A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL (like photonqr.com/r/abc123) instead of your final destination directly. When someone scans it, they are sent through our redirect — which you control from your dashboard. This means you can change where the QR points at any time, without changing or reprinting the physical QR code.

How is Photon QR different from a static QR code?

Static QR codes encode the destination directly in the pattern. Once printed, you can never change where they point — if your link changes, you need a new QR code. Dynamic QR codes from Photon QR let you edit the destination any time, track every scan with city-level data, set expiry dates, password-protect scans, and pause codes. Static QR codes offer none of that.

Is Photon QR free?

Yes — the free plan includes 3 dynamic QR codes, 500 scans per month, basic analytics, and PNG download. No credit card required. Paid plans start at ₹79/month (or $2.99/month) and unlock more QR codes, unlimited scans, SVG/PDF export, advanced analytics, and team features.

Who is Photon QR for?

Photon QR is designed for any business or individual that uses QR codes in the real world — restaurants replacing paper menus, retailers adding QR to product packaging, event organisers managing schedules, marketers running print campaigns, freelancers networking with smart business cards, and developers needing QR code API access.

✏️ Creating QR Codes

How do I create a QR code?

Sign up at photonqr.com (free, no credit card), click "Create QR" in your dashboard, choose one of the 14 QR types, fill in your content (URL, contact details, menu PDF, etc.), and click Publish. Your QR code is live within seconds and available to download as PNG, SVG, or PDF.

How many QR codes can I create?

The free plan includes 3 active dynamic QR codes. Basic gives you 10, Pro gives 25, and Business gives unlimited. You can archive QR codes to free up slots without permanently deleting them. Archived QR codes stop redirecting until they are unarchived.

Can I customise the QR code design?

Yes — you can choose the foreground and background colours, add a logo or icon to the centre, round the corners of the data modules, and pick from several dot styles. High-error-correction mode is used by default so the QR remains scannable even with a logo overlay.

What formats can I download the QR code in?

PNG is available on all plans. SVG (vector — infinitely scalable, ideal for large format print) is available on Basic and above. PDF (print-ready, with crop marks and quiet zone) is available on Pro and Business. All downloads include the correct quiet zone border for reliable scanning.

Can I add my logo to the QR code?

Yes — upload any PNG or SVG logo and it will be embedded in the centre of the QR code. We automatically use high error correction (30% redundancy) so the QR remains scannable with up to 30% of the pattern obscured by your logo. We recommend keeping the logo under 25% of the QR area.

Dynamic Features

Can I edit a QR code after creating it?

Yes — that is the core feature of Photon QR. Log in to your dashboard, find the QR code, click Edit, change the destination URL, upload a new PDF, update your contact details, or modify any other content, then save. The change propagates in under 3 seconds — all existing prints immediately reflect the new destination.

How many times can I edit a QR code?

Unlimited edits on all plans — free and paid. There is no cap on how many times you update the destination. Every edit is logged in your QR history so you can see what changed and when.

Will the QR code pattern change when I edit the destination?

No — the QR pattern never changes. The pattern encodes a fixed short link (e.g. photonqr.com/r/abc123). Editing the destination only changes what that short link points to, not the QR code itself. This is what makes it safe to print once and edit forever.

Can I pause a QR code?

Yes — toggle a QR code to "Paused" from your dashboard. While paused, anyone who scans it sees a customisable message (e.g. "This QR code is temporarily inactive") instead of being redirected. Unpausing restores normal redirect instantly. This is useful for seasonal campaigns or when a page is being updated.

What happens when a QR code expires?

If you set an expiry date on a QR code, scans after that date show an expiry message instead of the destination. The QR code pattern still works — it just redirects to the expiry page. You can extend the expiry date at any time from your dashboard, or remove it to make the QR permanent again.

📊 Analytics

What analytics do I get with each scan?

Every scan is logged with: timestamp (date and time), city and country (derived from IP — no personal data stored), device type (iOS, Android, or Desktop), browser name and version, and operating system. Pro and Business plans also include a scan heatmap by city and hour-of-day trend charts.

Can I see who scanned my QR code?

No — and this is by design. We log the approximate city (not street-level location), device type, and browser, but we never store personal identifiers, phone numbers, or email addresses of scanners. Analytics are aggregated and anonymised to protect the privacy of people scanning your QR codes.

Can I export my analytics data?

Yes — CSV export is available on Pro and Business plans. The export includes all scan records with timestamp, city, country, device type, browser, and OS. You can filter by date range before exporting. Free and Basic plan users can view analytics in the dashboard but cannot export.

How real-time are the scan statistics?

Scan data appears in your dashboard within 2–5 seconds of a scan. The total scan counter updates in real time. Chart data (trends, device breakdown) refreshes every 60 seconds on the dashboard. There is no manual refresh needed — the dashboard polls automatically.

Which plan gets analytics?

All plans — including the free plan — get basic analytics: total scans, city, device type, and timestamp. Advanced analytics (scan heatmap, hour-of-day trends, referrer tracking) are available on Basic and above. CSV export and API access to analytics data require Pro or Business.

💳 Plans & Billing

What's included in the free plan?

3 active dynamic QR codes, 500 scans per month, basic analytics (city, device, time), PNG download, all 14 QR types, and no time limit. The free plan is not a trial — it stays free indefinitely. The only limitation is that free-plan QR codes show a small Photon QR watermark on the landing page.

How do I upgrade my plan?

Go to your dashboard → Billing → Upgrade. Select a plan (Basic, Pro, or Business) and a billing period (monthly or annual). Payments are processed via Razorpay — PCI-compliant and supporting all major debit and credit cards, UPI (GPay, PhonePe, BHIM), and net banking.

Can I downgrade my plan?

Yes — go to Billing → Change Plan at any time. Downgrades take effect at the end of your current billing cycle. If your downgrade reduces your QR code limit below your current count, older QR codes are automatically archived (not deleted) until you are within the new limit.

Is there a refund policy?

Yes — we offer a 7-day money-back guarantee on your first subscription payment. Email billing@photonqr.com within 7 days of your first charge with your registered email address and we will process a full refund, no questions asked. After 7 days, refunds are evaluated case by case. See our full Refund Policy for details.

Do you offer annual plans? What is the saving?

Yes — annual billing is available for all paid plans with approximately 30% savings versus monthly. Basic annual: ₹799/year (vs ₹948 monthly). Pro annual: ₹1,999/year (vs ₹2,388 monthly). Business annual: ₹5,999/year (vs ₹7,188 monthly).

⚙️ Technical

Which QR code scanners work with Photon QR?

All standard QR code scanners — including the built-in camera apps on iOS (13+) and Android (9+), Google Lens, and all third-party scanner apps. No special app is needed to scan a Photon QR code. The QR pattern conforms to the ISO/IEC 18004 standard and is compatible with every compliant reader.

What is the redirect URL format?

Each dynamic QR code gets a unique short link in the format photonqr.com/r/[code] where [code] is a randomly generated 6-character alphanumeric string. On Business plans you can use a custom short domain (e.g. qr.yourbrand.com/[code]). The short link is what is encoded in the QR pattern.

Is there an API?

Yes — REST API access is available on the Business plan. The API lets you create, read, update, and delete QR codes programmatically, retrieve scan analytics, manage team members, and receive webhook events for scan milestones. Full API documentation is available at photonqr.com/docs.

How fast is the QR redirect?

Redirects are served from Vercel's global Edge Network with sub-50 ms latency in most regions. Scan analytics logging is asynchronous — it does not add any latency to the redirect. The redirect itself is a simple HTTP 302 response with no JavaScript, so it works in every browser and embedded WebView.

Is my data secure?

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit via TLS 1.3. Data at rest is encrypted in Supabase (AES-256). We use row-level security so users can only access their own QR codes and analytics. Passwords are never stored — we use email OTP and OAuth for authentication. We are GDPR-aware and compliant with India's DPDP Act.

🇮🇳 India Specific

Do you support UPI QR codes?

Yes — Photon QR generates UPI QR codes that open any UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM, and others). You enter your UPI ID (VPA), an optional pre-filled amount, and a transaction note. The QR encodes a standard UPI deep link (upi://pay?...) compatible with all UPI apps. Scan analytics work the same as any other QR type.

Can I pay for Photon QR in INR?

Yes — INR payments are the default for Indian users and are processed via Razorpay. You can pay with any Indian debit or credit card, UPI (GPay, PhonePe, BHIM), net banking, or Razorpay wallet. GST is included in all displayed prices. You receive a GST-compliant invoice for every payment.

Is there Hindi language support?

Yes — the Photon QR mobile app (Android and iOS) is available in Hindi (हिन्दी) and English. You can switch languages from app Settings → Language. The web dashboard is currently English-only. Hindi web support is planned for Q3 2026.

Do you support Indian restaurants specifically?

Yes — the Restaurant Menu QR type is built with Indian restaurants in mind. You can upload a PDF menu (supports Devanagari/Hindi text), link to your Zomato or Swiggy menu, set your cuisine type and FSSAI number, display vegetarian/non-vegetarian markers, and update the menu any time. Printing table tents is supported with a printable template.

Is Photon QR available across India?

Yes — Photon QR is a web and mobile platform accessible from anywhere with internet. It is built by Mind Vision Software Solutions, a team based in Punjab, India. Pricing is in INR, support is in IST (10 AM – 6 PM, Mon–Fri), and the product is specifically designed for Indian SMEs, restaurants, and professionals.

📱 Mobile App

Is there a Photon QR mobile app?

Yes — Photon QR is available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store). The app lets you create and manage all 14 QR types, scan any QR code using your camera, view real-time scan analytics, and manage your subscription — all from your phone. The app syncs with the web dashboard in real time.

Is the mobile app free?

The app is free to download. It uses the same plan as your web account — so if you are on the free plan, you get 3 QR codes and 500 scans/month. You can upgrade to Basic, Pro, or Business directly within the app via Google Play In-App Purchases (Android) or the App Store (iOS).

Does the app work offline?

QR code creation and editing requires an internet connection (to save to our servers and go live). However, you can view your existing QR codes, download them for sharing, and scan QR codes using the built-in scanner while offline. Analytics and dashboard data require a connection to refresh.

How do I manage my QR codes in the app?

Open the app and go to the QR Codes tab. Tap any code to edit, view analytics, download, pause, or delete it. Tap the + button to create a new QR. You can search and filter your QR codes by type, status (active/paused/expired), and date. All changes sync to the web dashboard instantly.

What platforms are supported?

Android 8.0 (API 26) and above — covering 98% of active Android devices. iOS 14.0 and above — covering 97% of active iPhones. Both apps are optimised for both phone and tablet form factors. The web dashboard works on any modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) on desktop and mobile.

Still have questions?

Our support team typically responds within one business day.

Contact support