The **QR Code** and **NFC booking** features enhance the desk booking and check-in experience by giving users a fast, intuitive way to manage reservations directly from the **Joan Workplace** mobile app. Users can simply scan the QR code or tap the NFC tag on a desk to instantly book, modify, or check in based on desk availability.

Both features are enabled by default.

## **Contents**

- [Overview](#overview)
- [Setting up QR codes](#set-qr)
- [Setting up NFC tags](#set-nfc)
- [How users interact with them](#how-to-use)
    - [QR codes](#qr)
    - [NFC tags](#nfc)
- [Expected behavior](#expectation)
- [Enabling local check-in only](#local-check-in)

## {#overview}**Overview**

With QR Code and NFC booking, users no longer need to manually search for desks in the app. Scanning or tapping brings them directly to the correct desk, where they can complete bookings or check-ins in seconds. The system automatically adapts to desk availability and booking status, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

## {#set-qr}**Setting up the QR codes**

1. Log in to [**my.getjoan.com**](https://my.getjoan.com) with your admin account.
2. Go to **Settings → Desks → Layout**.
3. Select a desk and click **Edit Desk**.
4. Click **Get QR Code**.
5. A QR code file will download. Print it and place it on the corresponding desk.

![get qr code](https://getjoan.com/help/api/media/file/get_qr_code.gif)

## {#set-nfc}**Setting up NFC tags**

1. Log in to [**my.getjoan.com**](https://my.getjoan.com) with your admin account.
2. Go to **Settings → Desks → Layout**.
3. Select a desk and click **Edit Desk**.
4. Click **Copy Link** to copy the desk URL.
5. Use any NFC-writing application to program your NFC tag with the copied link.

**Tip:** Apps like *NFC Tools* (iOS and Android) allow you to easily write the desk URL onto any NFC tag.

![NFC](https://getjoan.com/help/api/media/file/NFC.gif)

## {#how-to-use}**How Users Interact with QR Codes and NFC Tags**

Using these features is quick and intuitive.

### {#qr}**• QR Codes**

1. Open the phone camera.
2. Point it at the QR code placed on the desk.
3. Tap the link that appears.
4. The Joan app opens automatically and guides the user through booking or check-in.

![video demo](https://getjoan.com/help/api/media/file/video_demo.gif)

### {#nfc}**• NFC tags**

NFC tags work just as seamlessly. Most modern smartphones have an NFC chip (the same technology used for Apple Pay or Google Wallet).

\*\*Important for Android Users:\*\*\
Make sure NFC is enabled. Go to **Settings**, search for **NFC**, and activate the toggle.

**To use NFC:**

1. Unlock the phone.
2. Hold the top-back area of the phone near the NFC tag.
3. The phone detects the tag and prompts the user to redirect to the Joan app ready to complete the booking or check-in.

## {#expectation}**Expected behavior**

This section explains how QR Code and NFC booking behaves in different configurations and booking scenarios. It clarifies how the system selects booking times, handles overlapping reservations, and respects booking limits.

## 1. QR/NFC booking when timeslots are *not* enforced

- [\*\*Require use of pre-defined timeslots](https://my.getjoan.com/settings/desks/time-slots) is disabled.\*\*
- When the user scans a desk/asset QR code or taps an NFC tag:
    - The **start time ("From") defaults to the current time** (for example, if scanned at 10:15, it shows 10:15).
    - The **end time ("To") defaults to the current time plus the default duration** (e.g., 8 hours later).
    - After the suggested time is shown, users can **manually adjust both start and end times** and complete the booking.

## 2. QR/NFC booking when timeslots *are* enforced

- [\*\*Require use of pre-defined timeslots](https://my.getjoan.com/settings/desks/time-slots) is enabled.\*\*
- When scanning:
    - The system automatically selects the **predefined timeslot that contains the current time**.
    - If there is *no timeslot that includes the current time*:
        - The system selects the **next upcoming timeslot** for that desk/asset.
        - If no future timeslot is available for that day, the **default timeslot** is used (as shown under **Desks → Time slots**).
    - In this mode, the **custom time fields reflect the selected timeslot’s start and end times** (not the current time).

## 3. Non-overlapping reservations allowed

- Users can make multiple bookings for the same resource as long as they **do not overlap** in time.
    - Example:
        - Book Desk A from **17:00–23:00**.
        - Then scan Desk A to book **09:00–17:00** → allowed (touching but not overlapping).
        - Scan to book **05:00–09:00** → allowed.
        - Scan to book **10:00–11:00** → *not allowed* (this overlaps with 09:00–17:00).

## {#local-check-in}**Enabling Local Check-In Only**

This option requires users to physically scan the QR code or NFC tag at the desk in order to check in.

1. Log in to [**my.getjoan.com**](https://my.getjoan.com) with your admin account.
2. Go to **Settings → Desks → General settings**.
3. Enable **Local check-in only**.

![enable qr code check in](https://getjoan.com/help/api/media/file/enable_qr_code_check-in.gif)

When enabled, users **cannot** check in remotely—they must be **on-site**.\
Here is an example of a user checking in with a QR code upon arriving at their desk:

![check in](https://getjoan.com/help/api/media/file/check-in.gif)

*If you encounter any issues during the steps above, please contact us at support@getjoan.com.*