How to Scan a QR Code in Mission Control

QR codes are the fastest way to verify and process visitor entry. Mission Control's scanning feature identifies the visitor, pulls up their record, and lets you approve or deny access in seconds.

QR code types

Entry QR codes are issued through the unified creation wizard and come in three usage types. The scan flow is the same for all of them — Mission Control validates the code for you:

• One-time codes — valid for a single entry, then spent.
• Limited-use codes — valid for a set number of uses.
• Unlimited codes — no per-code cap, though the community can set a daily maximum in its settings.

Spent, expired, and deleted codes are rejected automatically.

Step 1 – Open Mission Control and the scanner

• Step 1: Open Mission Control (gate staff land there from Dashboard; otherwise use the Dashboard / Mission Control / Analytics mode selector).
• Step 2: Select the Scan License / QR Code button in the top bar. If QR codes are not enabled for your community, it reads Scan License; on compact screens it may be abbreviated.

• Step 3: The scan dialog opens and stays open until you scan a code or close it.

Step 2 – Scan the code

• Handheld scanner: point the connected scanner at the code on the visitor's phone or printed pass and pull the trigger. The data lands in the Scanner Input field and is processed automatically.
• Manual entry: if the scanner is unavailable, click into the Scanner Input field, paste or type the code data, and select Process Data. If that fails, process the visitor manually using the contact priority list.
• Device camera: on tablets and phones running the MyWatchtower app, the dialog offers a camera option to read codes directly. The camera scanner recovers by itself if the preview stalls — no need to close and reopen the dialog — and the flashlight keeps the setting you gave it. If the app has been refused camera permission, the dialog says so and offers an Open Settings shortcut so you can allow it.

Step 3 – Review the results

• When the code matches, the destination property and the visitor are selected for you: Scanned Data and Clear Scanned Data buttons appear in the top bar, and the visitor's information populates the Entry Management panel along with any notes or restrictions.

• Out-of-schedule visitors are never preselected. If the code's holder is outside their entry schedule, they appear grayed out with a warning instead of being loaded automatically — review the situation and select them deliberately if entry is justified.
• The QR record ID is no longer displayed at the gate, so there is no internal code number to read back to visitors.
• If the visitor isn't found, create a record with Create Visitor before granting entry.

Step 4 – Approve or deny

• Verify the name matches the person at the gate and the destination property is correct. A Restricted tag means do not grant entry without management approval.
• To approve, record the entry from the Entry Management panel; it lands in the entry log immediately.
• To deny, add a note explaining why — a note is required — and the denial is logged for later review.

Troubleshooting

• Code won't scan: check the code is visible and undamaged, adjust distance, ask the visitor to raise screen brightness, then fall back to manual entry.
• Camera won't open on a tablet or phone: check for the camera-permission message in the dialog and use Open Settings to allow camera access for the app.
• Expired or spent code: do not grant entry; ask the visitor to contact their host for a new code and log the denial.
• Name mismatch: check photo ID; if the mismatch can't be explained, deny entry and report it.
• Offline Mode: QR processing is disabled while offline — process visitors manually and record entries once you're back online.