How to Redirect an Existing QR Code: A Simple Guide

Need to update your QR Code with new content or fix a broken URL?

With static QR Codes, that’s not an option — once created, they’re set in stone. But dynamic QR Codes offer a smarter solution: they’re fully editable, letting you redirect the destination URL or linked content anytime.

The best part? You can make updates without reprinting the code, saving you both time and money.

We’ll walk you through how to change your QR Code’s destination in just three simple steps. Let’s get started!

Table of contents

1. Is it possible to redirect QR Codes?
2. How to redirect an existing QR Code?
3. QR Code redirect: 4 ways businesses can use it 
4. Changing QR Code link: Popular types and examples
5. Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to redirect QR Codes?

You can redirect existing QR Codes to a new URL only when you’ve created a dynamic QR Code. Dynamic QR Codes are editable, meaning they can be changed anytime.

While static QR Codes contain information directly encoded into the code’s data pattern, a dynamic QR Code points towards a server that stores the destination URL and automatically redirects the user to the desired URL. This allows you to change the QR Code destination URL as and when required to redirect an existing QR Code.

How to redirect an existing QR Code

You can easily change the destination of an existing dynamic QR Code and lead it to updated or new content. 

Step 1: Login to the Uniqode dashboard

On the dashboard, click QR Codes and you will be able to see the list of your existing QR Codes.

Step 2: Click on the Edit button next to your QR Code

Find the QR Code you want to redirect to and click Edit. You can always use filters if you’re having trouble finding your QR Code.

Step 3: Update the destination URL/content for the QR Code and save it

At this stage, you can edit the QR Code’s existing content by adding a new URL or uploading a file. Click Finish to complete the redirection.

Your existing QR Code will now redirect to the new content upon scanning.

How businesses can use QR Code redirection

Due to the many advantages of dynamic QR Codes, they can be a great asset for business applications. Here’s how redirecting QR Codes can help businesses across different industries. 

1. For restaurants that regularly update their menus

Suppose a restaurant has printed QR Code menus across various branches to enable contactless dining. With seasonal holidays and weekends, the management decides to offer special items on the menu.

If a static QR Code were used in this scenario, the restaurant would have to reproduce and reprint the codes and reinstall them.

Instead, using changeable QR Codes, the restaurant can edit its menu whenever required and update the QR Code content. Customers will always view the most updated menu upon scanning. This significantly saves printing costs and the time and effort required to install new QR Codes throughout the restaurant.

Also read: Dynamic vs static QR Code

2. For realtors to showcase latest properties

A popular use case in real estate is to add QR Codes on real estate signs. This helps prospects scan for available properties in a particular area, or for any special offers. 

But realtors face this issue: What if a particular property is sold out, and they want to update their prospects about it? 

They can do so by modifying their QR Code content in real-time and letting people scan the code as it is. Not only does this keep prospects updated about the latest available properties, but it also eliminates the need to reprint QR Codes.

3. For companies that change their business location

Suppose a company that drives footfall to their business location via QR Codes decides to change its address. Creating new QR Codes for the updated location and reinstalling them everywhere is an impractical and expensive process.

If they use a dynamic QR Code, they can update the destination URL to show the new address. People can continue to scan the code as it is and get redirected to their new location.

4. For non-profit organizations that update donation URLs

Nonprofit organizations can use QR codes on fundraising materials, donation envelopes, or event invitations to provide access to online donation portals, volunteer sign-up forms, or mission statements. They can update the destination URL to provide updates on fundraising campaigns, success stories, or upcoming events.

5. For business professionals to update contact details

Another situation where an editable QR Code can help is when a business professional wants to update their contact details on their vCard. Using a dynamic vCard QR Code, they can easily update their phone number, website, social media profile, etc., without reprinting and redistributing the digital business card.

Changing QR Code link: Popular types and examples

With Uniqode, you can create several changeable dynamic QR Codes best suited to your business needs and marketing campaigns. Some of the most popular ones include:

1. URL to QR Code to redirect to websites

A dynamic URL to QR Code creator lets you redirect users to any URL on the web. As these are editable, you can change the destination URL as required without reprinting the QR Code.

2. PDF QR Code to share information quickly

Using changeable or dynamic PDF QR Codes, you can deliver mobile-friendly PDF files to share information on the go. Upon scanning, these PDFs directly open in a browser as opposed to forcing a download on the user’s mobile device.

3. Customized landing pages for marketing campaigns

You can create customized landing pages (no coding required) directly on Uniqode’s QR Code platform and link to them via editable QR Codes. These landing pages are mobile-friendly and can be edited anytime.

4. Feedback QR Code

With an editable feedback QR Code, you can use forms to receive reviews and ratings for your products and services.  You can easily generate QR Code forms for feedback on Uniqode and edit them whenever required.

5. App download QR Code

You can link to your app on multiple app stores via a single editable app download QR Code. Upon scanning, the QR Code will automatically redirect the user to the relevant app store based on their mobile’s operating system.

6. Coupon QR Code

With editable coupon QR Codes, you can instantly deliver deals and offers to your customers. Make sure the QR Code contains either the coupon code or the URL to the created online store with the discount code already applied at checkout. All users need to do is scan the code and take advantage of the offers.

7. Audio QR Code

Artists and creators can easily share music/podcasts with their audience and bridge the gap between offline and online worlds via a changeable audio QR Code. This saves time for listeners as they can simply scan the code and stream content without manually searching for it.

8. YouTube QR Code

Using a changeable YouTube QR Code, you can automatically lead users to any video directly within the YouTube app. During a new upload, you can easily edit the destination link to reflect your newest upload.

Why choose Uniqode to redirect QR Codes

With Uniqode, redirecting QR Codes comes with added benefits for businesses such as:

1. Intuitive and easy-to-use interface to edit QR Codes in minutes
2. SOC-2 Type-2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance to ensure your QR Codes are redirected securely with maximum privacy
3. You can change QR Code destinations in bulk using the dynamic QR Code API
4. Advanced analytics to help you track QR Code performance to asses them

With these benefits, it’s clear why Uniqode is the best dynamic QR Code generator for redirecting your QR Codes. Don’t believe us? Try it yourself with a 14-day free trial– No CC required!

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I redirect an existing QR Code?

Yes. You can change the destination link of the QR Code if you’ve created a dynamic or changeable QR Code. 

Dynamic or editable QR Codes allow you to change the destination URL as many times as required. However, static QR Codes lack this functionality.

2. How to redirect existing QR Code for free?

To reroute a QR Code to a new destination, follow the below steps:

• Ensure that the QR Code is a dynamic and not a static QR Code. 
• If you’ve created the dynamic QR Code with Uniqode, log back into the dashboard and go to the ‘QR Codes’ section.
• Click ‘Edit’ next to the QR Code you want to reroute.
• Update the destination URL/content for the QR Code and save it.
• That’s it! Your existing QR Code will now reroute to the new link upon scanning.

3. Does redirecting a QR Code delete previous scan data?

No, redirecting a QR Code does not delete your previous scan data. If you’re using Uniqode, you can see the scans next to the QR Code. Click on View Analytics to get the total unique scans, location, device used, and more analytics. You can also select the desired date range for which you want to track QR Code data. 

4. Can a QR Code be forwarded?

Yes. Changeable QR Codes allow you to update content or the destination URL and forward your existing QR Code to another page.

5. How long do editable QR Codes last?

Editable QR Codes last until your subscription with Uniqode is active. As soon as your plan expires, these QR Codes will stop functioning.

6. Can I change the destination of a QR Code after printing?

Unfortunately, static QR Codes do not allow editing. But, with editable or dynamic QR Codes, you can easily change the destination of a QR Code, even after printing. This ensures that your audience is redirected to the latest content as per your update.

• Author Details

Author Details

Shashank D

Content Marketer , Uniqode

Shashank is a content marketer at Uniqode who turned to writing to pursue his natural calling after 2+ years of working in the product team. He aims to educate folks on the brilliant yet underrated technology of QR Codes. With more than a dozen Tofu and Mofu pieces under his belt, he explores how QR Codes can be used to solve challenges for businesses across all verticals. While he’s not educating users on the benefits of QR Codes, he’s also a student of the evolving marketing landscape.

shashank.d@uniqode.com