Check-in
QR Code Check-in
Check in attendees on event day using any smartphone camera. No app downloads or hardware needed.
How It Works
Lapso uses browser-based QR scanning, so any smartphone with a camera and a web browser can serve as a ticket scanner. There is no app to download and no dedicated hardware to rent or ship.
Each event gets its own unique scanner URL. When a staff member opens that URL on their phone, they get a three-tab interface:
Scan tab
Full-screen camera scanner for reading attendee QR codes. The primary check-in tool for door staff.
List tab
Manual order lookup. Search by name, email, order number, phone, or confirmation code and check in attendees directly from the list.
Checkins tab
Live check-in statistics: total checked in, remaining, and a per-ticket-batch breakdown with completion percentages.
What attendees need
Each attendee receives a QR code in their order confirmation email. They can show it from their phone screen or print it. Both work with the scanner.
Finding Your Scanner URL
To find the QR scanner URL for a specific event:
- Open the event in your organizer dashboard.
- Look for the Check-in or QR Scanner section.
- Copy the scanner URL. It is unique to this event.
Save the URL somewhere accessible before event day. Bookmark it in your browser, save it as a contact note, or text it to yourself so you can share it with your team quickly.
Setting Up Door Staff
Share the scanner URL with each team member or volunteer who will be checking in attendees. They need:
- A smartphone with a working camera
- A browser (Chrome or Safari recommended)
- An internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular)
For larger events with multiple entry points, send the URL to each station. All scanning sessions update the same check-in count in real time, so you always have an accurate total regardless of how many stations are active.
No Lapso account required
Door staff do not need a Lapso account to use the scanner. Anyone with the URL and camera access can scan tickets.
Scanning Attendees
Open the scanner URL and tap the Scan tab (camera icon at the bottom). When prompted, grant camera permission. Then:
- Point the camera at the attendee's QR code. A red tracking border appears around the code as the scanner locks on.
- The scanner reads it automatically. No need to tap the screen.
- A result card appears immediately. See the next section for what each result looks like.
- Tap Continue scanning to return to the camera for the next attendee.
A torch (flashlight) button is available on the scanner screen for low-light venues.
Idle auto-pause
The scanner pauses automatically after 30 seconds of inactivity to save battery. Tap the screen to resume. This is normal behavior during slow entry periods.
Scan Result States
Every scan produces one of the following results:
Checked In (green)
Valid ticket, successfully checked in. The card shows the ticket type, the customer name, and the order number. A green flash confirms the scan.
Already Scanned (red)
This ticket was already checked in. The card shows the ticket holder's name and the exact timestamp of the original scan, so you can judge whether the first scan was legitimate before deciding whether to admit the person.
Refunded Ticket (red)
The ticket has been refunded and is no longer valid for entry.
Order Not Found (red)
The QR code did not match any order for this event. Use the List tab to search by name or email if the attendee believes they have a valid ticket.
Invalid QR Code (red)
The scanned code is not a Lapso ticket QR code. This can happen if the camera reads a barcode or QR code from packaging or a poster nearby. Ask the attendee to show their ticket QR code specifically.
Tapping See Details on any result opens the full order details, including order date, price, ticket type, and scan timestamp. A refund can also be initiated from this view for Stripe-paid tickets.
Manual Lookup
The List tab (checklist icon) lets you find and check in attendees without scanning a QR code. Use it when an attendee cannot find their QR code or their phone battery has died.
Search by any of the following:
- Customer name
- Email address
- Order number
- Phone number
- Confirmation code
Results show the attendee's name, order number, ticket type, and current status (Pending / Checked In / Refunded). Tap an order to expand its full details. The Check In button appears on any order that has not yet been checked in or refunded.
Search by QR code
The List tab also has a QR scanner icon in the search field. Tap it to scan a QR code directly into the search bar if you want to look up an order before checking it in.
Check-in Stats
The Checkins tab shows live arrival progress for your event. Stats refresh automatically every 30 seconds.
- Checked In: total attendees scanned in so far
- Remaining: ticket holders not yet checked in
- Progress: percentage of total tickets checked in
Below the summary, a per-ticket-batch breakdown shows how many tickets from each tier have been checked in (e.g., "General Admission: 47/120 — 39%"). Batches are sorted with the highest completion percentage first.
A compact version of the check-in count also appears at the top of the Scan tab so door staff can see the running total without switching tabs.
Troubleshooting
"Permission Denied" error
Camera access was blocked. Go to your phone Settings, find the browser (Safari or Chrome), and enable camera access. Then reload the scanner page.
"No Camera Found" error
The browser cannot detect a camera on the device. Try a different phone or check that the camera is not blocked by another app.
QR code not reading
Make sure the attendee's screen brightness is high. In dim venues, use the torch button (flashlight icon on the scanner screen). If the code is damaged or blurry, use the List tab to look up the order by name or email instead.
"Network Error" banner
The scanner lost its internet connection. The banner stays visible until the connection is restored. Switch to cellular data if the venue Wi-Fi is unreliable. Scans attempted during a network error will not be recorded.
Scanner went idle
The scanner pauses after 30 seconds of no activity. Tap the screen to resume. No data is lost when this happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
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