Fallback

A fallback is an automatic alternative when the primary method is unavailable. QR code fallback scenarios: scan failure (print a short URL below the code for manual entry), redirect failure (show maintenance page instead of error), and app not installed (fall back to the store install page). Sending the user to the store is the fallback itself; it becomes a deferred deep link only when the original in-app destination is also restored on first launch after installation, which requires the scan context to survive the install.

For elderly users, pairing QR codes with phone numbers provides an effective fallback. Good fallback design ensures users always have a path to the intended information regardless of technical issues.