Quick Answer
No, you cannot scan a screenshot of a Ticketmaster barcode and use it to enter an event. Ticketmaster barcodes contain encrypted information that allow entry when scanned in person, but this information is not preserved in a screenshot. Venues require the original barcode on your mobile device or printed ticket to grant entry.
Explaining Ticketmaster’s Barcode System
Ticketmaster uses a barcode system to secure and control access to events. When you purchase tickets through Ticketmaster, a unique barcode is generated and linked specifically to your order.
This barcode contains encrypted information including the date, time, section, row, and seat number of your tickets. It also contains a rotating encryption code that refreshes itself periodically.
When your ticket barcode is scanned at the venue, it connects to Ticketmaster’s database in real time to verify your purchase and renew the encryption. If the barcode doesn’t refresh properly or doesn’t match the expected information, it will be declined.
Why Screenshots Don’t Work
Taking a screenshot of your Ticketmaster barcode captures a static image of the barcode at that moment. It does not capture the dynamic encryption information linked to your ticket purchase in Ticketmaster’s database.
When venue staff scan a screenshot instead of an active barcode, it will not refresh or link to the expected ticket details. This means the encrypted information will quickly become out of sync and invalid.
Even if you could use a screenshot to enter an event initially, it would likely fail on subsequent scans. Most venues scan tickets again at security checkpoints inside the venue, and a screenshot would not pass these scans.
Example Scenario
For example, say you purchase two tickets to a concert next Friday. Ticketmaster generates a unique barcode for this order, encrypting the details into the barcode image.
Right after you receive the tickets, you take a screenshot of the barcode and send it to your friend. Your friend prints out the screenshot and attempts to use it to enter the venue on Friday.
The venue scans your friend’s printout, but the barcode does not refresh or link to a valid active ticket purchase in Ticketmaster’s system. It only matches the static screenshot image from earlier in the week, which is now outdated and invalid.
Entry would be declined unless your friend had the actual mobile or printed tickets with the live updated barcodes. The screenshot acts as a snapshot in time that quickly becomes useless as the encryption information expires.
Why Ticketmaster Uses This Secure Barcode System
Ticketmaster implements this barcode system for a few important reasons:
- Prevent ticket fraud and unauthorized duplication – The constantly refreshing barcode information prevents screenshots or photocopies from being valid for entry.
- Provide detailed ticket holder data – Linking each barcode to a ticket purchase allows Ticketmaster to collect data on attendee numbers, locations, entry times, etc.
- Restrict ticket resales – The barcodes are non-transferable and connected to the original ticket purchaser.
- Improve venue logistics – Scanning barcodes allows venues to monitor which seats have been filled and make staffing adjustments.
By tying each barcode directly to an individual ticket purchase, Ticketmaster can help ensure each seat is only occupied by its ticket holder. This provides value to both venues and ticket buyers in terms of fair access control and data insights.
Alternative Options without Valid Barcodes
Instead of using a screenshot, here are some alternative options if you don’t have the valid barcodes for your event tickets:
- Print out the PDF tickets – This will contain the active barcode linked to your purchase.
- Access tickets through the Ticketmaster app – Open your ticket purchase in the app to display the live barcode.
- Contact Ticketmaster – They can resend links to access your tickets if you lost the barcodes.
- Buy new tickets – You’ll need valid tickets with untouched barcodes to scan at the gate.
- Attend will call – Pick up replacement tickets in person at the venue’s will call office.
As a last resort, you can go to the venue and explain your situation at the box office. But there is no guarantee of entry without valid barcodes or ID matching the original ticket purchase.
Scanning Probability for Different Barcode Types
| Barcode Type | Scanability |
|---|---|
| Screenshot of Ticketmaster Barcode | Will Not Scan |
| PDF Printout of Ticketmaster Ticket | High Chance of Scanning |
| Ticketmaster Mobile App Barcode | Guaranteed to Scan |
| Photocopy of Ticketmaster Ticket | Low Chance of Scanning |
As shown in the table, only valid barcodes directly from Ticketmaster will reliably scan and grant entry. Screenshots have no change since they lack the dynamic encryption data.
Other Mobile Ticket Sites
Ticketmaster is not the only mobile ticketing option – many venues and promoters use similar barcode systems to validate entry. Common platforms include:
- AXS Mobile Tickets
- Vivid Seats App
- StubHub App
- SeatGeek Mobile Tickets
- Gametime App Tickets
- Vivid Seats App
Screenshots likely won’t work on these platforms either, since their barcodes also rely on encrypted live data instead of static images. Your best bet is always to use the official app for your tickets.
Can You Screenshot Other Types of Barcodes?
While you can screenshot any barcode, results may vary in terms of successfully scanning and usage:
- Retail Item Barcodes – May scan correctly since encryption is less common for retail. But merchants could detect duplicate barcode scans from screenshot copies.
- Boarding Passes – Screenshots unlikely to work due to encryption similar to tickets. Must scan live boarding pass.
- Coupons – May work initially if simple barcode, but merchants often invalidate duplicates. Single-use only.
- Gift Cards – Could cause issues since balance is stored online, not in barcode itself. Safest to scan live barcode from phone.
As a rule of thumb, it is safest to only scan original barcodes from official apps, not screenshots. But sometimes simplistic retail or coupon barcodes without encryption may scan correctly from screenshots.
Technological Advances
While Ticketmaster barcodes currently rely on encrypted live data streams, future advances may change this:
- On-device encryption keys – Keys could be stored on user devices to enable offline barcode functionality.
- In-image hidden encryption – Steganography could conceal encryption data directly in the barcode image file.
- Offline verification protocols – Standards may arise for validating barcodes without live server connections.
With innovations like these, screenshots of barcodes could potentially work in the future by capturing keys or data within the image itself. But for now, servers must process the dynamic information live.
Conclusion
Screenshotting a Ticketmaster barcode will not grant you entry into an event. The barcode image alone lacks the encrypted live ticket data needed to scan properly. Venues must connect to Ticketmaster’s database through the official app or ticket barcode to verify your purchase. For now, screenshots remain ineffective replicas unless technology evolves to embed more data within barcode images themselves. Do not rely on screenshots for event entry – use only valid original tickets and barcodes from the source.