thread Re: Scan barcode with Android phone in Hardware Setup & Troubleshooting

Scan barcode with Android phone

nigel_f — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:32:00 GMT

Hello

I have the Square app and the Square Retail Beta app on my Andoid phone.

I don't seem to be able to find a way to scan a product barcode to add it to a cart.

In contrast, on my other half's iPhone I can do it with no problem.

Have I missed something in the setup? I'm coming from Shopify which has done this for year, I can't believe the functionality isn't available.

Thanks

Nigel

Re: Scan barcode with Android phone

ehflower — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:16:16 GMT

That would be a great function for my android.

Re: Scan barcode with Android phone

rtfulk — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:26:16 GMT

@nigel_f Just a few things that come to mind to check. If I remember the regular Square POS doesn’t’t give you the ability to scan a barcode with your camera on your phone. The Square Retail app does, where the search bar is located to the right there should be a camera icon or barcode icon (see photo below) tap that and it activates your camera to scan a barcode.

If the camera doesn’t come on when you tap it, you may not have given permission for Square to access your camera.

Android Settings → Apps → Square → Permissions → Camera → Allow

Hopefully this will get you scanning with your phone.