How to make a PDF QR code
- Upload the PDF somewhere public: your own website, Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.
- Set sharing to “Anyone with the link can view”. Private links ask scanners to sign in and they give up.
- Copy the share link and paste it into the Public PDF link field.
- Open the link in a private browser window on your phone to confirm it opens without a login.
- Download and print. Keep the file at the same link for as long as the code is in use.
Hosting options compared
- Your own website
- Best for long-term use. You can replace the file with a new version at the same address and every printed code keeps working.
- Google Drive
- Use “Share → Anyone with the link”. If you upload a new version with “Manage versions”, the link stays the same.
- Dropbox / OneDrive
- Create a view-only share link. Deleting and re-uploading the file creates a new link, which breaks the code.
Typical PDF codes
Product manuals
Put the code on the box or the device so the manual is always one scan away.
Brochures and price lists
Hand out a small flyer and keep the long document online.
Restaurant menus
A PDF works, but a mobile web page is easier to read. See the menu QR page for both options.
Notices and forms
Schools and societies can link forms people download and print.
Things that break PDF codes
- Your file is not uploaded to QRizeo; the code only contains the link. If the file is deleted or moved, the code stops working.
- Large PDFs (over 10 MB) load slowly on mobile data. Compress images before uploading.
- Some cloud links open a preview page first instead of the PDF. That is normal; test it so you know what scanners will see.
Questions people ask
Can I upload the PDF here?
No. QRizeo does not host files. This keeps your document under your control and means the code does not depend on us.
Can I update the PDF later?
Yes, if you replace the file at the same link (for example on your own website). The printed code keeps pointing at that address.
Why do people see a sign-in screen?
The file is not shared publicly. Change sharing to “anyone with the link”.
Last updated 11 October 2026 by the QRizeo team.