How Does a QR Code Car Contact Tag Actually Work?

QR code contact stickers have become a common sight on UK windscreens and pet collars, but it's not always obvious what's actually happening between someone scanning the code and a message landing on the owner's phone. Here's the process broken down.

1. The QR code itself

A QR code is just a way of encoding a web address as a scannable pattern. Wheelyst's stickers each carry a unique code tied to your account - when someone scans it, their phone camera reads the pattern and opens that address in their browser, the same way any link would open.

2. What the scanner sees

The page that opens shows only what you've chosen to make visible - your vehicle or pet's name, type, and any contact methods you've enabled (message, call, or email). It never shows your real name, phone number, or address unless you've explicitly chosen to display that specific detail.

3. Sending a message

If the scanner sends a message, it's routed through Wheelyst's servers rather than directly to your phone number - this is the anonymous relay that keeps both sides private. You get an instant push notification with the message content, and can reply through the same relay without either party ever seeing the other's contact details.

4. Location (optional)

If the scanner agrees to share their location - always optional, and asked for separately - you'll see roughly where the scan happened. This is particularly useful for parking issues and lost pets, where knowing the location matters.

5. Calls and emergency alerts

Depending on what you've enabled, a scanner may also be able to start a call (routed anonymously, without exposing either number) or trigger an emergency alert that notifies your chosen emergency contacts immediately, with whatever medical or contact information you've decided to share for that situation specifically.

Why this design, and not just printing a phone number

The entire point of routing everything through a relay rather than printing a number directly is that you keep control. You can turn off messaging, block a specific scanner, or deactivate the code entirely at any time - none of which is possible once a phone number has been written down somewhere public.