This section explains how to validate tickets at the gate and control admission.
To learn about compatible equipment and to purchase one, see Find / Buy Box-Office and Scanning Equipment.
To learn about kiosk mode (single app / pinned mode), see Running the Gate Control and POS app in kiosk mode.
How does Ticket Validation Work?
Gate control validates tickets at entry and admits valid tickets while rejecting invalid and duplicate ones.
- Invalid Tickets: Fraudulent tickets, refunded tickets, or tickets for another event or performance.
- Duplicate Tickets: The same ticket printed or copied and used more than once.
Each ticket includes a unique numeric code shown as text (below the barcode) and encoded as both a barcode and a QR code. All represent the same value.
At the gate, read the code and validate it against the event’s list of valid codes. If the code exists, the ticket is valid.
After a valid scan, the code is marked as used so duplicates of the same ticket cannot be admitted.
Speed matters: scanning and validation should be as fast as possible to avoid entry delays.
If you have multiple gates, synchronization is essential so a scan at one gate is reflected at all gates immediately.
Ticketor supports events from small gatherings to large concerts and festivals—choose the method that fits your needs.
To learn more, read this article.
Validation Methods
Method 1: Admission List
For small events with a single gate, print the Admission List from Control Panel > Reports > Admission List. Read each ticket’s numeric code, find it on the list, and check it off.
Method 2: Use a smartphone/tablet/laptop with an optional external barcode scanner
Use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop (the "device") with our scanning app, using either the device camera or an optional Bluetooth/USB barcode scanner.
Scanning the Tickets:
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Install the app:
Use the web app: Install the latest Google Chrome or Safari (iOS). Then, from your Ticketor portal, go to "Control Panel > Events & Venues > Gate Control" or use the direct link: https://blog.ticketor.com/gate.
To install the web app on your phone, open the browser menu and select 'Add to home screen'. This creates an icon that acts like a native app for faster access.
Alternatively, install the "Ticketor Gate" app from Google Play or App Store. All apps work similarly with the same functionality.
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Log in to the app:
Log in with an account that has Administrator, Gate Controller, or Event Organizer roles.
- Administrators can scan all events.
- Event Organizers can scan only events they organize.
- Gate Controllers may scan all events or may be restricted to events for certain Event Organizers.
If you are asked for "Website Address", use blog.ticketor.com.
If prompted to allow the website to save data to your device, allow it. This enables loading even without internet.
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Select the event you want to scan.
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If internet is available at the gate (Wi-Fi/Cell), select "Online" (recommended). Otherwise select "Offline" and read the offline section below.
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Proceed to Gate Control.
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Start scanning:
You can read the code on the ticket in different ways:
Camera: Tap the camera icon/tab, then hold the QR code (preferred) or barcode in view until it scans.
Manual entry: Tap the Barcode box, type the code, and press Enter.
External scanner: Tap the Barcode box to activate the field (it must be active). Scan a ticket using your attached scanner. The scanner reads the barcode or QR code and enters the value into the Barcode box.
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Look for the result:
In Online mode, the device validates tickets against Ticketor’s central list and shows the result instantly. This keeps all gate devices in sync and supports last-minute changes (new sales, new tickets, refunds) even after gates open. (For offline options when internet is unavailable, continue reading.)
If the ticket is valid, the device plays a success beep. You can view buyer details, ticket type, seat, and purchase information, or greet the guest by name.
After scanning a valid ticket, you can keep scanning continuously without touching the screen.
If the ticket is invalid or a duplicate, you will hear a longer rejection beep and a popup will show the reason. You must close the popup before scanning the next ticket. If the ticket is a duplicate, the popup also shows the time the original ticket was scanned.
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Connecting an external scanner device (optional):
You can use an external Bluetooth or USB barcode scanner instead of the camera. External scanners can read barcodes/QR codes faster and from a longer distance than a camera.
You can use any scanner that can read the barcode or QR code and transmit the value as plain text to the device (HID/keyboard mode). Most scanners support this.
The scanner works like a keyboard: it reads the code and types it into the Barcode field, which is then submitted for validation. Phones/tablets typically use Bluetooth scanners; laptops/desktops can use USB scanners.
Follow your scanner instructions to connect/pair it with the device. If you have multiple devices and scanners, label them so you know which scanner is paired with which device.
To test the scanner, open any app with a text field (such as a messaging app), tap the field to activate it, and scan any ticket. The code should appear as plain text.
Some notes:
Cameras can scan from printed tickets and from the buyer’s phone display; some older external scanners may not be able to read from phone displays.
Cameras scan QR codes faster and more reliably than barcodes—use QR when possible and make sure your camera is high-quality enough to scan QR codes easily.
Scanners come in 1D and 2D types. 2D scanners read both barcodes and QR codes; 1D scanners read barcodes only. 2D scanners are generally a better choice.
Other app features:
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Exit for re-entry:Use "Exit for re-entry" and scan a ticket to mark it as not entered, so the guest can come back in.
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Search by name, email or confirmation number:If a patron doesn’t have tickets, find them by name/email or confirmation number, verify identity if needed, then tap ticket numbers to admit.
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Status:View current totals for tickets sold and admitted.
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Buyer detailed information:Tap a result box to see ticket, buyer, and purchase details.
Behind the scene / Fast primary result / Emergency network outage
When you open Gate Control, the device downloads the latest valid codes and entry status. Each scan updates your device so it always keeps a current local copy.
Fast validation:Each scan shows an instant primary result using local data (light green/red), then confirms with the server for the final validation and changes the color to darker green/red (final result). On slow networks you can usually rely on the primary result.
Emergency network outage:If the network drops, you can continue scanning using locally stored data. It can validate tickets and detect duplicates to some extent.
Offline validation:
If you do not have reliable internet at the gate, you can use Offline mode with some limitations.
After selecting the event, choose "Offline" as the validation method.
Select the "Number of gates". All devices must use the same value.
Assign each device a gate number (Gate #1, Gate #2, etc.) and label devices accordingly.
With multiple gates in Offline mode, each gate admits only a subset of tickets (a range) to help detect duplicates. Each ticket shows a "G" value (G1 to G10) under the barcode. The system tells you which G values each gate admits. Post signs so guests enter through the correct gate based on their G value.
Click "Download data" to download valid codes to your device.
Notes:
- Download/refresh data after ticket changes are complete. You can keep selling tickets after downloading data.
- Do not reload data after scanning begins, or entry history will be overwritten and duplicates may be missed.
- In Offline mode, returns/refunds should be disabled after downloading data.
Best practice at the gate:
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For medium and large events, speed is critical. Assign a separate staff member (often with a larger tablet) to handle exceptions so the main line keeps moving.
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Scanning with one hand: Recommended Bluetooth scanners can attach to the back of a phone. You can use double tape such as Scotch® Reusable Tapes.
Testing with real tickets:
Test scanning by purchasing tickets and later voiding the invoice and returning the tickets. Or test with existing orders from the reports.
To un-scan tickets, you have two options:
1- Switch to 'Exit Mode' and scan the same tickets to mark them as not entered.
2- Edit the event and use 'Reset the scan result' from the details tab.
Reporting the scanned tickets:
1- The Control Panel > Reports > Scan Report Shows each ticket and its latest scan time (one row per attendee). If audit records are enabled, it can show all entry/exit scans.
2- The Control Panel > Reports > Sold Tickets report includes a 'Scanned' column showing whether (and when) a ticket was scanned.
Note: By default, only the last scan time is recorded. Enable audit records on the event to record every entry/exit scan and the gate controller user.
