How to Scan Barcodes With an Android Phone Using Barcode Scanner

Easily use your Android phone as a barcode scanner with this user-friendly guide

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 23, 2022

Your Android device can scan any barcode or QR code by using a free app from the Play Store. Once you've installed the barcode scanning app, your device's camera can be used as a scanner. You can then take different actions depending on the content contained in the barcode.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Installing Barcode Scanner

1
Open the Play Store on your device. You can find the Play Store in your list of apps. The icon looks like a shopping bag with the Google Play logo on it.
2
Tap the Search bar. This can be found at the top of the Play Store screen.

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3
Type barcode scanner.
4
Tap QR & Barcode Scanner from Gamma Play. There are lots of other scanners available you can try as well. Most work very similarly.
5
Tap Install.
6
Tap Accept.
7
Tap Open. This button appears after the app has downloaded and installed.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Scanning a Barcode

1
Point your camera at a barcode.
2
Make sure the barcode is well-lit. The scanner will have a hard time if part or all of the barcode is too dark.
3
Line up the entire QR code in the viewfinder. Make sure the entire square code is inside the box on your screen.
4
Line up traditional barcodes in the viewfinder. When scanning a traditional line barcode, the line in the viewfinder needs to be perpendicular to the lines of the barcode.
5
Adjust the distance between the camera and the barcode. This can help focus if the barcode appears blurry.
6
Hold the device steady while the barcode scans. When the scan is successful, you'll feel the device vibrate and hear it beep.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking Actions

1
Review the barcode's information. After scanning a code, you'll see the type of information that it contained. This can range from text to website URLs. The content will be displayed at the top of the screen.
2
Tap an action button to take an action. Your available actions will vary depending on the type of code you scanned.^{[1]
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- For example, if you scanned a code for a website address, you can tap the Open button to open the website in your browser or the Share button to send it to someone else.
- If you scan a contact you'll be able to add it to your contact list or share it.
- If you scanned a product, you may be able to perform a product search and a web search. The product search will look for retail outlets that carry that product.
- If you scanned a calendar event, you can add it to your calendar.
3
Troubleshoot codes that aren't working. QR codes can contain a variety of different types of links and content. Traditional line barcodes only contain a number. This number may be associated with a product if it is popular. If the barcode was created specifically for a single store or some other local outlet, it will likely just be meaningless numbers.

Community Q&A

Question

Can it be done from a saved image?

Community Answer

You can open the saved image on one phone and scan it using a barcode scanner from another phone.
Question

How do I scan a barcode to a website?

Community Answer

Usually, if you are using a mobile device, you have to download a barcode app in the app store. It is simple to use once you have the application. Just point your phone/ tablet camera at the barcode, and the app should tell you if it has been scanned.
Question

How do I scan a barcode?

Akash Sawarkar

Community Answer

Hold your device above the barcode, and the scanning will start automatically.

Warnings

Be wary when following links from QR codes. Someone may have put a sticker with a malicious link over a seemingly harmless code.

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