> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getqr.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage short links

> Copy a QR code's short link, change where it leads, and pause, protect or schedule it.

The short link inside a QR code stays the same for the life of the code, but you control everything behind it: where it leads, when it accepts scans and who can open it. This page covers what you can change after a QR code is created.

## Before you start

* You need the **Admin** or **Editor** role to change a QR code. A **Viewer** can only view.
* The short link itself (domain and slug) can't be changed after the QR code is created. To use a different link, create a new QR code.

## Copy a short link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the download dialog">
    On **My QR Codes**, open the QR code's actions menu and click **Download QR**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the link">
    Click the **Copy QR link** button next to the download button. The full short link is copied to your clipboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Change where the link leads

The short link redirects to whatever content the QR code holds, so you can change the destination without reprinting.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the QR code's content">
    On **My QR Codes**, open the QR code's actions menu and click **Edit** followed by the QR type, for example **Edit Website**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the content">
    Change the URL, file or other content. If the QR code has a custom slug, the **Short link** field is shown read-only with the note "The short link can't be changed after the QR is created."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save**. New scans go to the new destination right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Pause or activate a short link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the actions menu">
    On **My QR Codes**, open the QR code's actions menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Pause">
    Click **Pause**. The **Pause QR Code** dialog explains that new scans won't open the destination and analytics won't be recorded while paused.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Click **Pause**. To turn the link back on later, open the same menu and click **Activate**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Protect a short link with a password

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the actions menu">
    On **My QR Codes**, open the QR code's actions menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Enable password">
    Click **Enable password**. If the option is greyed out, password protection isn't available for this QR type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the password">
    Enter a password of 4 to 64 characters in **Create password** and repeat it in **Confirm password**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save password**. To remove protection later, click **Disable password** in the same menu.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Schedule a short link or limit scans

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the access rules">
    On **My QR Codes**, open the QR code's actions menu and click **Set Access Rules**. The builder opens on the **Schedule** settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose when it activates">
    Under **When it activates**, choose **Activate immediately** or **Activate on a date**, then set the **Activation date & time**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose when it pauses">
    Under **When it pauses**, choose **No auto end date** or **Pause on a date**, then set the **Pause date & time**. The pause date must be after the activation date.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a scan limit">
    Under **Scan Limit**, choose **No scan limit** or **Pause after a scan limit**, then enter **Maximum scans** (at least 1).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and save">
    Check the **Availability Summary**, then save the QR code.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Settings

| Setting | What it does |
| - | - |
| **Pause** / **Activate** | Stops or resumes the link manually. |
| **Enable password** | Asks people who scan for a password (4–64 characters) before they see the content. |
| **Activate on a date** | Keeps the link inactive until the chosen date and time. |
| **Pause on a date** | Pauses the link automatically at the chosen date and time. |
| **Pause after a scan limit** | Pauses the link automatically once **Maximum scans** is reached. |

## What people see when they scan

| Situation | What the scanner sees |
| - | - |
| Active | The destination you set. |
| Paused by you, not yet activated, past its pause date, or over its scan limit | A page saying "QR is paused by the owner." |
| Password protected | A page titled "This QR code is protected" with a password field. |
| Workspace subscription inactive | A page saying "QR is deactivated." See the [Help Center](https://getqr.com/help). |
| QR code deleted | A page saying "QR is deleted by the owner." |
| Custom domain removed or not resolving | The link doesn't open. See [Verify your domain](/custom-domains/verify-and-troubleshoot). |

<Note>
  A paused short link doesn't record analytics, and the destination isn't health-checked while the QR code is paused.
</Note>

## Common issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I want to change the slug or domain of a QR code">
    You can't. The short link is printed inside the QR code, so it's fixed when the QR code is created. Change the destination instead, or create a new QR code with the slug you want.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My QR code says it's paused, but I didn't pause it">
    Open **Set Access Rules** and check the schedule and scan limit. A link that hasn't reached its activation date, passed its pause date or reached its scan limit shows the paused page. Change or remove the rule and save.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="“Password must be at least 4 characters”">
    Use a password between 4 and 64 characters, and type the same one in both fields.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="“The pause date must be after the activation date.”">
    Set a pause date and time that comes after the activation date and time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="All codes on my custom domain stopped scanning">
    Check the domain's status in the **Domains** tab. A domain that is **Not resolving** or **Certificate failed** stops every QR code on it until you fix the DNS record. See [Verify your domain](/custom-domains/verify-and-troubleshoot).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a custom short link" href="/short-links/create-short-link">
    Choose your own slug for a new QR code.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage QR codes" href="/getting-started/managing-qr-codes">
    Rename, duplicate and delete QR codes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics overview" href="/analytics/overview">
    Track scans for each short link.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect a custom domain" href="/custom-domains/connect-domain">
    Put your short links on your own domain.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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