A digital business card that can’t be forwarded
Updated 14 October 2026
Metcard’s live code changes every 30 seconds. Only someone who scans it from your phone can open your card. A forwarded link or a screenshot of the code opens a locked page with your name and photo, and nothing they can use to contact you.
Most digital business cards are one public link. Once it lands in a group chat, anyone can open it and keep your mobile number. The live code is part of Metcard Pro, which is A$4.99 a month or A$49 a year, and every new account gets 14 days of it free.
How the live code works
- In your card’s Share settings, set who can open it to Live code only.
- Open show mode. Your phone shows a QR code that changes every 30 seconds.
- Someone scans it from your screen. Metcard accepts the current code and the one before it, so any code stops working within a minute.
- Their phone gets a pass for your card. They can open it again from the same phone for as long as you choose: 1 day, 7 days, 30 days or no limit.
- Anyone else who gets the link sees the locked page: “This card opens from a live code. Ask Mara to show it to you.”
Three ways to share, side by side
Your card is either open to anyone with the link or on the live code. One-time links work with both.
| Question | Open link | Live code | One-time link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can open it | Anyone with the link | People who scan your screen | The one person you send it to |
| If it’s forwarded | Opens for everyone | Shows the locked page | Already used, so it doesn’t open |
| Good for | A website or email signature | Meeting people in person | Someone you can’t meet in person |
| Plan | Free and Pro | Pro | Pro |
One-time links
For people you can’t meet in person, send a one-time link. It opens your card once, for one person, and then stops working, so a forwarded copy is useless. Link previews in chat apps don’t use it up: it only counts when they tap to open your card. Unused links expire after 7 days, and you can cancel one before it’s opened.
Cut off everyone
Changed your number, or shared more widely than you meant to? One tap locks everyone out. People who had your card need a fresh scan or a new link to see it again.
What it can’t stop
Once someone taps Save my contact, your details are in their phone, the same as a paper card in their wallet. They could also screenshot your card while it’s open. The live code stops your card spreading by link. It doesn’t take back what people already saved.
It suits anyone who puts a personal mobile number on their card: founders, consultants, agents, people who meet clients face to face and would rather their number didn’t travel.
Questions
Does the other person need an app to scan the live code?
No. The camera on iPhone and most Android phones reads it, and your card opens in their browser.
Can I still put my card in my email signature?
If your card is on the live code, the plain link opens the locked page for everyone. Send one-time links to individual people instead, or keep your card open to anyone with the link if you want a public address.
Does an NFC tag work with the live code?
No. A tag holds one fixed link, so a tap opens the locked page. Use the QR code in show mode, or keep the card open if you hand out tags.
Can I see who opened my card?
Yes, on Pro. Activity shows when your card was opened, whether it came from a scan or a link, what was tapped and who saved you. Each visitor shows as a random tag, never a name.
Try the live code free for 14 days
New accounts get Pro for 14 days. No card needed.
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