QR codes are a fast, frictionless way to connect guests to your Wi-Fi or guide them through a payment flow. However, because mobile operating systems treat captive portal links differently than standard web pages, how you set up your QR codes matters.
Here is how to use QR codes effectively with Spotipo to ensure a seamless experience for your users.
Best Practice 1: Embed Wi-Fi Credentials into the QR Code (Recommended)
The most reliable way to connect guests on-site is to generate a Wi-Fi QR Code containing your network name (SSID) and password (if applicable).
How it works: When a guest scans the QR code using their camera, their device automatically connects to your Wi-Fi network.
The result: Once connected, the operating system's native captive portal detection triggers automatically, popping up your Spotipo login or payment screen without requiring the user to type anything or open a browser.
Why this works best: Mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) rely on network connectivity triggers to launch the captive portal pop-up. Connecting directly via a Wi-Fi QR code ensures this process happens seamlessly.
Best Practice 2: Use Pre-Pay/Customer Portal Links for Remote Scanning
If you are displaying QR codes outside your Wi-Fi range—such as in promotional emails, posters at a bus stop, booking confirmation pages, or print ads—guests won’t be able to connect to the local Wi-Fi network immediately.
In this scenario, use a QR code that links directly to your Spotipo Pre-Pay or Customer Portal URL. These can be found in Settings->Payment Login->Links. There is even an option of using a QR code generated by Spotipo. This is for accessing the Customer Portal URL only.
How it works: Guests scan the QR code for Prepay portal before arriving on-site and pay for their Wi-Fi access online in advance.
The result: When they arrive at your location, their credentials or access passes are already active, allowing them to log in instantly.
What to Avoid: Do NOT Link Directly to Captive Portal URLs
It might be tempting to generate a standard web QR code that links straight to your captive portal login page URL, but we strongly advise against this.
Here is why:
Unreliable Behavior: Devices expect captive portal login pages to open through a special OS-level pop-up, not a standard browser tab. Navigating directly to a portal URL while disconnected from the Wi-Fi network often results in page load errors or broken redirects.
Dynamic URLs: Captive portal URLs frequently include temporary session tokens, IP addresses, or parameters that can change. Hardcoding a portal link into a physical print QR code means your QR code could stop working at any time.
Generating Your QR Codes
Spotipo does not currently feature a built-in QR code generator. To create your QR codes, you can use any third-party QR code generator of your choice.
💡 Important Tip: When picking a third-party QR generator, choose one that offers static QR codes or permanent links that do not expire after a trial period. Many free tools insert temporary trial links that break after a few weeks, which can cause printed materials to stop working.