thread Re: Using scanner don't select a variant in Hardware Setup & Troubleshooting

Using scanner don't select a variant

LaCyclerie — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:44:05 GMT

Hello Square Support community,

We're using the Square iPad app and have encountered an issue with barcode scanning when products have multiple variants.

When we scan a product barcode, the app recognizes the product but doesn't automatically select the specific variant that was scanned. Instead, it prompts us to manually choose the correct variant. This sometimes results in the wrong variant being selected, which disrupts our inventory accuracy.

Is this a bug, or is there a setting we might have overlooked to enable automatic variant selection when scanning?

Thank you for your help!

Claude

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

JTPets — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:59:44 GMT

Its the new search box changes I believe, ensure you have exited the search box entirely. I hate this new change myself and hope your post draws attention to this. Scanners should ALWAYS add the item to cart if there is a match!

I made a post about it but got no comments - hopefully yours does better

https://www.sellercommunity.com/t5/Square-for-Retail-Group/Feedback-on-Recent-POS-Update-Search-and-Scanner-Functionality/td-p/759559

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

Lou8 — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:45:26 GMT

Hi @LaCyclerie, thank you for posting on the Seller Community.

There is an existing ticket for the behavior you reported @JTPets , when scanning an item while in the search functionnality doesn't add the item to the cart.

@LaCyclerie can you confirm whether you use Square POS or Square for Retail, and which version of the app you're on ? I'll check with our engineers if this is also impacting variants @LaCyclerie, or if this is a separate issue.

I'll make sure to let you know you once I have an update. Thanks for your patience in the meantime !

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

LaCyclerie — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 05:25:11 GMT

Sorry for the late reply.

We have a Square stand, with standard Square app (not retail)

Square version 6.55.1.w on an iPad

iPad (8e generation)

Model 3YN32V/A

It worked once, but not at this time... Trying to figure out why on my side.

Thanks for looking into this.

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

LaCyclerie — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:29:33 GMT

Hey Lou any luck with this issue? It is still happening on our side.

Thanks

Claude

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

LaCyclerie — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:39:33 GMT

I have redone some testing here and here are my conclusions. This is an annoying bug as it confuses lots of clerks that don't know all the inventory.

When scanned, currently items gets added depending of the configuration of it.

Article will be automatically added if the following conditions are met.

Standalone item (no variant) = added, no matter what are in the GTIN or SKU fields
item variable configuration has GTIN = filled / SKU= filled (with same number) = added automatically (I don't understand the point)
item variable configuration has GTIN = EMPTY / SKU= filled = added automatically

If not, the clerk have to manually select from within the multiple items variant that are shown and they cannot properly see items number, this create errors and confusion. Configuration are as follow:

item variable has GTIN = 12345 SKU= abcde (with different number, field are not populated with same number) = NOT ADDED automatically when scanned. This is a bummer!
item variable configuration has GTIN = filled SKU= EMPTY = NOT ADDED automatically when scanned (Why.... Why????)

Please help. I'm considering re-importing ALL my part database with GTIN and SKU with same number so it can work 😞

We have a Square stand, with standard Square app (not retail)

Bluetooth barcode scanner

Ipad Square 6.92.2so on an iPad

Square version 6.55.1.w

iPad (8e generation)

Model 3YN32V/A

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

LaCyclerie — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:59:16 GMT

@JTPets : Have you got this issue resolved on your side? See my latest test in the above post.

I'm all ears to find a fix to this.

Claude

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

JTPets — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:06:44 GMT

Not currently experiencing an issue

Re: Using scanner don't select a variant

JTPets — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:41:47 GMT

in rereading your post here, I see you are trying to use same GTIN and seperate sku, in my current setup all my items share the same GTIN and SKU in my catalog but are unique to each variant