Sharing Channels via QR Code

How Channel Sharing Works

Meshtastic encodes channel configuration as a URL containing a Base64-encoded protobuf payload. This URL can be displayed as a QR code or shared as a plain link. The payload includes the channel name, PSK, and modem preset settings.

Generating a QR Code

1. Open the Meshtastic app and navigate to Channels.
2. Select the channel you want to share.
3. Tap the Share (QR icon) button.
4. The app displays a QR code and a shareable URL.

Importing a Channel

To import a channel on another device:

• Scan the QR code directly from the Meshtastic app's channel import screen, or
• Navigate to the channel URL on a device that has the Meshtastic app installed — the app intercepts the URL and offers to import the channel.

URL Format

Channel URLs follow this structure:

https://meshtastic.org/e/#<Base64-encoded channel data>

The fragment (#...) portion is the Base64-encoded protobuf. Because it is a URL fragment, it is not transmitted to the server in HTTP requests, reducing incidental exposure during transit. The link can be shared via SMS, email, Signal, or any other messaging platform.

Security: What Sharing a QR Means

Sharing a channel QR code shares the encryption key. Anyone who receives the QR or link can decode all past and future messages on that channel if they have access to the ciphertext. Key management rules:

• Only share with people you intend to give channel access.
• Once a PSK is shared there is no revocation — the only way to remove access is to generate a new PSK and redistribute it to all authorized nodes.
• Treat a shared channel QR like a password: do not post it publicly.

Admin Channel QR

The admin channel PSK grants remote configuration access to a node. Store the admin channel QR securely and share it only with authorized administrators. If you lose the admin QR for a remote, unattended node you lose the ability to remotely reconfigure it — physical access becomes necessary.

Multi-Channel QR Codes

The Meshtastic app can generate a single QR code that encodes multiple channel definitions simultaneously. This makes onboarding new nodes to a full community channel set (e.g., public + club + EmComm) a single scan rather than importing each channel individually.