Is it possible to use a wi-fi or blue tooth barcode scanner at craft fayres without AC power?

[wmck666]

Is it possible to use a wi-fi or blue tooth barcode scanner at craft fayres without AC power?

[k_atie]

Hey @wmck666, congrats on your first post and welcome to the Community!

It should totally be possible to use a barcode scanner at a craft fair. Just make sure that the barcode scanner is compatible with our hardware on our compatibility page before purchasing. Some of our hardware is only compatible with USB barcode scanners. 

Additionally, our hardware is designed to last a full day without needing a charge. However, since we do not manufacture any wi-fi or Bluetooth barcode scanner, we can't advise on if they could be used without AC power or how long a particular brand of barcode scanner will last before needing to charge it. I would recommend checking with the manufacturer of the barcode scanner to confirm if this is possible or not.

Let me know if you have any further questions!

[Sam_400º]

Just to add to Skylers reply…..

There are a few barcode scanners that are tested with square, but BT versions only work with iOS devices. (Personally I’d check eBay for the socketscan models)

Non of the android devices work with BT scanners, & the terminal can’t be used with USB accessories when not plugged into a power source. 

[wmck666]

I have unfortunately purchased two barcode scanners, one being a Socket S740 which should be compatible with Square.

They will not link to the Terminal in the field.

They will work with my iPhone and the app on it, and if payment by card can be transferred to the Terminal. If payment is cash than it can not be transferred to the terminal. 

As my payments are  50% cash and 50% Card this system is not usable.

I now have 2 unused and unusable USB/Wi-Fi barcode scanners. 

[Sam_400º · Accepted solution]

Hey @wmck666 - the terminal isn't compatible with any BT devices as per the page @k_atie linked to before & my comment too, 

Knowing that you have a terminal then there is no standard way to connect any barcode scanner 'in the field'. Although one work around would be to use a USB C PD battery pack to keep the terminal connected to a power source. You would then be able to plug the USB scanner in via the hub. 

Alternatively, as you've found it works with your phone you can use the terminal in 'connected' mode. It will need to use your phone as its internet hotspot, but you can then send any card payments to be completed on the terminal. As you note, cash payments can't be sent to the terminal to be completed - but this wouldn't be required as there's no customer interaction with the device. 

This is the article on setting up the terminal in connected mode with your phone - [LINK]

Hope this helps 👍🏻

[k_atie]

Hey @wmck666, sorry to hear that the barcode scanners you purchased weren't compatible with the terminal. 

We aim to create products that provide our customers with products that provide them with the flexibility to run their businesses as they need. We'll take your feedback on board and pass it over to our team and hopefully, we'll be able to include a wider range of third-party devices soon. 

In the meantime, I would recommend following @Sam_400º's workaround. Thank you so much for the great alternative! 

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with. 😊