Barcodes are being used widely everywhere, such as on shipping labels, product packaging, tickets, etc. They are just black and white lines that carry information in a scannable format. Users can scan them to find the stored information.
The good news is that you don’t need to own a bulky scanner to perform barcode scanning. You can do it using your phone’s camera. However, many people don’t know how it’s done. Keeping this in mind, I am going to share a couple of ways through which anyone can easily scan barcodes using their phone. So read till the end to learn the maximum.
Why Scan With a Phone?
Scanning barcodes does not only concern store cashiers. It is applied in many aspects of everyday life. People can use barcode scanning to:
- Obtain product information on the spot before making a purchase
- Check real-time prices of different stores
- Keep tabs on inventory if they run a small business
- Access digital menus in cafes and restaurants
- Get package tracking info from labels
All of the above scenarios show how scanning with a phone can help access information faster, anytime, anywhere, without any specialized hardware. Plus, it cuts down on guesswork. For example, instead of asking a shop assistant about prices or details, you can scan the barcode instantly. For small business owners, this also means they can keep an accurate check on their products without buying costly scanners.
Families also use barcodes at home - for example, scanning a code on medicine packaging to double-check instructions or details about the product. As you can see, this is not just a tool for businesses but also something helpful for everyday users.
Now, let’s explore the different ways of scanning barcodes using your phone.
Scanning a Barcode Through an Online Tool
It won’t cost you anything to try this method. You can easily find barcode scanners online. Fortunately, most of such tools offer free access to their users. Also, you don’t need to go through any registration to access the tool. It’s simple and easy. You just need to follow the steps:
Note: We’ll be using a barcode scanner tool offered by imagetotext.info to explain the process through visuals.
- Find and access a barcode scanning tool on your mobile browser.
- If you’re scanning a photo that’s already stored on your phone, insert it into the tool through the ‘’Upload Image’’ option. If you’re scanning the barcode in real time, hit the ‘’Open Camera’’ option to perform scanning in real time.
- Place your phone’s camera on the intended barcode you wish to decode if you are scanning through the camera in real time.
- The tool will take a couple of seconds to process the barcode and provide you with what it contains.
- Copy the results.
Sometimes, the encoded information is private, and sometimes it's available publicly. In the latter case, you can Google to see what kind of information it contains. This is what is required to scan a barcode through an online tool.
The best thing about this method is that you don’t need to worry about storage space or updates, as everything works through the browser. It works well for those who don’t want to keep a separate barcode scanning app on their phone.
Now, let's explore the other method.
Scanning the Barcode Via Mobile App
This is another method you can try. However, it requires you to download and install an app on your mobile device. Here's what you need to do to scan a barcode through a mobile app:
- Choose and download a barcode scanning app on your phone.
- After installing the app, open it.
- You will see an option to scan a barcode in the app.
- Adjust your camera to let the app capture the intended barcode.
- The app will provide you with the output the moment it captures the code.
- You can also copy or download the output, depending on your preference.
Note: The app you're seeing in the above demonstration is Barcode Scanner from Essential Labs.
This concludes our blog. These are the methods users can use to scan a barcode from their phones.
Tips for Scanning a Barcode
Scanning is simple, but a few tricks can make it better:
Good Lighting: If it is too dark, your camera may not read the lines.
Steady Hands: Shaky hands will blur the image.
Center Code: Keep the barcode toward the center of the screen.
Avoid Reflection: If it is glaring, tilt it away from the light source.
Wrapping It Up
Barcode scanning with your phone is fast, easy, and unbelievably handy. Regardless of whether you're shopping for something, tracking a parcel, or running a small store, it's a skill worth having.
So go ahead, use your camera and download the app, or just try scanning from any barcode scanner available online to get instant results. Some practice and it'll feel like clicking a selfie!