Can we scan barcodes using a phone/mobile device?

[rrowe1975]

It would be very helpful, if you could scan your barcodes with you qreader, on your phone, when doing purchases with register app. 

Is this at all in the works. 

[bleuolive]

I agree.  It seems like a fairly straight forward integration...scanning in a barcode with your android phone seems like the most logical and efficient method of processing at point of sale.  I generally have two or three people in my farmers market booth, each with android phones.  if they had to crowd around some point of sale terminal, it would be a complete mess.  Instead of square saying"Wow, sounds like a great idea!" it would be nice if they would prioritize it and say"It's in the works!  Nearly done!"  First payment processor to create this logical integration gets my business.

[swamphox]

It seems to me that since every single phone in existance now has the capability to scan why is there no square feature that would allow for QR or barcode scanning. I am an artist and I have been using square since its inception but I will leave square the second I find another service that will allow me to use my phone to scan a barcode on a product and bring it up on in square to then charge a customer. I have been looking for this in square since I started using square many years ago. Infuriating that one would have to buy a seperate scanner when there is one built into the to phone I am using to take payment. WHY NOT?

[creativeboi84]

Any updates on the barcode scanner feature? It would be great to scan items that are in the library into the check out page if you're out on the field. 

[Russell]

Hey @creativeboi84 - 

I don't have any update on barcode scanner compatibility for phones. At this time, we only have tested compatibility for barcode scanners with Point of Sale used on a tablet. 

[JackSulaiman]

integrating the mobile camera as a barcode scanner would be awesome, it would also be EXCEPTIONAL if it could be used on the mobile app to adjust inventory counts.

[fireworks2]

I would like to add my name in the hat for this option.  I run a fireworks stand 2 times a year just useing the mobile app and laptop dashboard.   It would be huge for my workers to scan the fireworks at checkout and will help with inentory.  I am also a tech professional and know it would be a simple API integration.  If square does not want to partner with third party bar code scaning apps for security reasons, adding access to the camera in the mobile app would not be defficult.  

[RHatch]

I run fireworks stands as well,  we just picked up iPad mini's,  I have a MIFI hub and we run 3-4 iPad, ethernet printer, and cash drawer.  We use the Bluetooth socket scanners.  Some fireworks don't have UPC codes or have the same as another so we can use the grid to put unscannable items on.   I agree having the ability to use the scanner on the phone would be handy but after doing this I don't know if I would change.   That and I don't have to worry about calls and text messages interrupting the sale.

[RockinGood]

Just wondering, why buy more hardware when the iPad has a camera (actually, 2) and there are already barcode scanner apps. Is it possible to use the built-in camera with a scanner app, and have that work with Square POS? Has anyone found an iPad app that can be used?

[RHatch]

None of these will of work. You will have to purchase a scanner. 

[leafbrands]

This would be great! Seems so simple and this would be a huge selling point! I’d suggest integrating it into the square for retail ecosystem... we are paying for the upgrade after all! 

On a similar note, our business is currently paying for square for retail. We are somewhat underwhelmed as the product doesn’t have a profound difference over the basic option other than better inventory tracking on the dashboard  and a fancier register UI. We are having issues with the inventory reports not showing all the inventory entered into the system, so we don’t even have an accurate overall picture of inventory. Additionally, it is **bleep** near impossible adjust inventory from the new square for retail app.... so we’re stuck using the computer... at a desk! Having to adjust inventory at a computer with our product in multiple locations is annoying and cumbersome when a phone is connected to the internet and MOBILE!!!! Needless to say, it would be great to have an inventory count/recount option for square for retail users. Even if it was a stand alone iPhone app that only managed inventory. Why else are we paying for inventory management that doesn’t make inventory as simple as possible?

Conceptually it could work as such:  tap “inventory recount” button >>> scan barcode (with camera) >>> enter quantity and reason adjustment.

Done.

This feature/app could also be available to scan inventory as it comes in.