Do QR codes expire?

A QR image does not contain a timer. What happens later depends on what the QR encodes. A static QR contains the destination itself. A dynamic QR contains a short redirect controlled by a service. That distinction matters before you print anything.

Static QR codes

A static QR keeps the destination inside the image. It does not need a QR provider to redirect a scan, so there is no service plan to lapse. If the URL will not change, a free static QR is usually the simplest choice.

The trade-off is fixed ink: changing the destination means printing a new QR.

Dynamic QR codes

A dynamic QR sends the scanner through a short redirect. The printed image can stay the same while its destination changes. That is useful on a sign, menu, invitation, or bulletin that may need a different link later.

The trade-off is dependence on the redirect service. Some providers stop the redirect when a free trial ends or a subscription is cancelled. Before printing, check the billing terms, scan limits, destination-editing rules, and what the provider says will happen if it shuts down.

What KeepQR means by no expiry

KeepQR’s $19.99 no-expiry tier has no expiry date, recurring bill, or auto-renew. It remains active for as long as KeepQR operates. The service publishes a continuity plan, but does not claim that any hosted redirect can outlast its operator unconditionally.

Use KeepQR when the link may need to change after printing and a simple, privacy-first redirect is enough. Use a static QR when the link will not change.

Pre-print checklist

1. Decide whether the destination might change.
2. Read the provider’s trial and renewal terms.
3. Print the visible destination domain near the QR.
4. Test the final exported artwork on more than one phone.
5. Keep the QR’s white quiet zone clear of text and graphics.