Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about QR longevity, free use, privacy, and how ScanSurprise works.
Will my QR code still work in 5 years?
There is no automatic expiration date on surprises today. Your printed QR points at a stable web link. As long as the surprise still exists on ScanSurprise and you have not deleted it, recipients can keep opening it years later.
The link stops working if:
- You delete the surprise from your dashboard
- Content is removed for legal or abuse reasons
- In rare cases, hosting or product changes require migration (we would communicate when practical)
We do not promise "forever regardless of circumstances," but we design the product for lasting gifts — not one-week marketing campaigns. Media is stored on durable cloud storage (not temporary AI preview URLs). See Pricing for free-tier details.
Is ScanSurprise free? What are the limits?
Core product use is free — no credit card required. You can create photo, video, message, and link surprises, style QR codes, print cards, and view scan analytics. Uploads are currently limited to about 50MB per file. AI Magic is free to try within fair use; heavy generation may be rate-limited to keep the service available for everyone.
Full detail lives on the Pricing page. If we introduce paid plans later, we will spell out what stays free.
Do recipients need an account?
No. Anyone can open a surprise by scanning the QR or visiting the link. Accounts are only for people who create and manage surprises.
Who can see my surprise?
Anyone with the link or printed code. Treat it like a private share URL: put it on a gift for someone you trust, not on a public poster if the content is personal. Read more in our Privacy Policy.
How do scan analytics work?
When someone opens your surprise, we count the scan and record simple technical details (roughly when, device/browser type, and how they arrived). We do not show a live map of their location. Analytics appear on your surprise dashboard when you are signed in.
Can I edit a surprise after creating it?
You can view, print, restyle QR downloads, and delete surprises from the dashboard. Full in-place content editing may expand over time — if something is missing, tell us on Feedback.
What about safety — should people scan unknown QRs?
Only scan codes you trust (a gift you expected, a card from someone you know). ScanSurprise is a gift product, but QR codes are still links to the internet. Creators must not use the product for phishing, malware, or illegal content — that violates our Terms.
How do I try it without signing up?
Browse the examples gallery on the homepage to see full sample reveals — no account needed. Creating and printing your own QR requires a free account so your content stays tied to you.