Wireless Barcode Scanner for Square Register

[mrliquorsd]

I have posted this in the Square Community but I feel like something needs to be done about the fact you cannot get a wireless Barcode Scanner for the Square Register. The Seller Community has a workaround that does not seem to work all the time so I have stopped using it.

You would not think that having a compatible Wireless Scanner is something that would be hard to accomplish considering the Zebra/HP scanners are the ones sold with the Registers and they have wireless options.

[Sam_400º]

Hey @mrliquorsd all you need is a 2.4ghz barcode scanner that comes with a receiver. It'll work in the same way as a wireless keyboard. 

The Register doesn't support BT scanners, but the 2.4ghz ones will be treated as a USB scanner. 


Hope this helps! 

[douglsmith]

@Sam_400º This can work but only with a supported brand barcode scanner and only with an external power supply. I've posted details over in one of the community discussions.

[Jodilra]

And what really stinks about it even more so is that Square does not clearly state that their BT unit does NOT work with the register. Took tech support several minutes to even figure it out.  

[fishybizz]

The square register was a significant invest for my business. An investment that is supposed to help with productivity and efficiency. Not being able to use a Bluetooth scanner really hinders on the efficiency aspect of this register. There is a "work around" but it shouldn't require a workaround. "Connect all the accessories you need." Not bluetooth barcode scanners... For how much the POS system costs... It's 2024, your registers are supposed to be "seamless" and "get the line moving fast". 

[Candlestore]

I have been using the Zebra DS6878 Scanner.  It plugsinto a USB port, for the base (cradle) to recharge the wireless handheld scanner.  To get it to work with Square all I did was plug in the usb plug to an open port.   I like it better than the Bluetooth version since it is always ready to go and does not have to wake up like some bluetooth version or the hassel of trying to setup the bluetooth scanner.  Bonus is the usb to wireless scanner is usually cheaper than a bluetooth version, since the Socket Mobile is the only bluetooth compatible scanner for square.  

Just my 2 cents

[the_storehouse]

Thanks for the helpful info @Candlestore. I can confirm that the Zebra DS6878 works with the square register. But it has to be this specific one I linked. I tried a few other DS6878 scanners and even added the 5v power supply to their cradle/base but they did not work. It wasn't until I purchased this one from Amazon, Zebra DS6878 It has a larger power supply and was $71 at time of purchase (3/26/24) It's plug and play. Square Register recognized the scanner and its been working perfectly since we plugged it in a few days ago. Hope others can find this so can experience the joy using a wireless scanner with the register 🙂 

[douglsmith]

I can't imagine that the barcode scanner draws more than the 1 Amp rated from the power supply I mentioned. I'll see if I can test that on mine later.

I can't tell from the photo what the ratings are on the power supply of the one you linked to, @the_storehouse. What does yours say the voltage and current ratings are? It might say something like 5v, 2A, for example.

BTW, @the_storehouse, is that an affiliate link? That legally needs to be disclosed if it is.

[Candlestore]

@the_storehouse ;

What do you think is the reason a Bigger Power Supply has to do with how a Scanner Connects to a POS?

I have 2 DS6878 and 2 DS2208 Scanners.  These are only connected to my Square Stands by USB to recharge the battery and talk to Square.  I am just trying to understand what the Bigger Power Supply has to do with a comunictaion port that has a 5 Volt power supply in it through the USB port?  I just went to Zebras Documentation on Powering a DS6878 here :https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/zebra_new_ia/en-us/manuals/barcode-scanners/ds6878-product-referen...  then went to Page #33 Supplying Power to the CR0078-S/CR0008-S Cradle

Supplying Power to the CR0078-S/CR0008-S Cradle
The CR0078-S/CR0008-S cradle receives power from one of two sources:
• An external power supply.
• When connected to the host through a host cable that supplies power (CR0078-S only).
The cradle detects whether the host or the external supply is supplying power. It always draws power from the
external supply when available, regardless of the presence of power from a host.
Using the USB Interface to Supply Power
When the CR0078-S cradle is connected to the host via the USB interface, it can be powered by the USB port
instead of an external power supply. Powering from a USB host limits charging. The digital scanner charges at
a slower rate than when charging from an external power supply.
Connecting the CR0078-P Series Cradle
Connect the interface cable and power supply (if necessary) in the following order to ensure proper operation of the digital
scanner and cradle:
1. Insert the interface cable into the cradle’s host port.
2. Connect the other end of the interface cable to the host.
3. Connect the power supply to the cradle’s power port.
4. Connect the appropriate cable to the power supply and AC power source.
5. Thread the interface cable over the cable support hook (see Figure 1-6 on page 1-6) and run the host and
power cables into their respective cable grooves.
IMPORTANT For healthcare environments, use cradle p/n CR0078-SC1009BWR and place the ferrite core
(included in box with cradle) on the power supply (refer to the Power Supply Ferrite Installation
instructions included in the box).
NOTE The radio link functions normally when the cradle draws power from a USB

Now from reading this it does state when the Scanner is plugged in to an external Power supply it will RECHARGE the scanner quicker, but does nothing for connectivity, unless your batteries were old and needed replacing which can be done with the DS6878.

[the_storehouse]

Hey @douglsmith, that link is not an affiliate link. Sorry if my comment sounded like I was trying to push it (not my intention), I was just excited to find a solution. We recently switched from the older white Square Stand (w/ ipad) to the Square Register. My DS6878-SR scanner worked with our Square Stand but not our new Square Register. While searching for solutions, I had actually found your post from 04-16-2022 where you suggested adding the compatible power adapter along with the DS6878-SR. I purchased it and for whatever reason, the combo didn't work for me - the scanner continued to connect and disconnect at random. 

It wasn't until I purchased the scanner in my previous comment that it finally worked. I'm not too tech savvy with voltage and stuff - I just know it finally worked for us. I'll attach a photo of the power supply for you to check out.

[the_storehouse]

Hey @Candlestore, I'm not sure what a bigger power supply has to do with connectivity, I'm not too tech savvy. I just know I finally found a wireless scanner to work on our Square Register. We recently switched from the older white Square Stand (w/ ipad) to the Square Register. My DS6878-SR scanner (with no power supply, just USB) worked with our white Square Stand but not our new Square Register. While connected to the new Square Register, the DS6878-SR scanner continued to connect and disconnect at random. But when I purchased the new one I mentioned in the comment above, its been working great with no connectivity issues. 

I wish I knew more about it and could provide a better explanation.