How to Scan Barcodes with an Android Phone Using Barcode Scanner

Your Android phone or tablet can scan any barcode or QR code using a free bar scanner app app from the Play Store. One option is QR & Barcode Scanner, which is easy to install . Once you've installed the barcode scanning app, you can use your Android's camera to scan it and take different actions depending on the content contained in the barcode. This wikiHow article teaches you how to scan barcodes with your Android phone.

Using a Bar Scanner for Android

Download and install QR & Barcode Scanner from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and give it access to your camera.
Aim your camera at a barcode and hold it steady.
Review the information and select an option.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Installing a Barcode Scanner

Download Article

You can find the Play Store in your list of apps. It has an icon that resembles a colorful ‘Play’ triangle.
Use the search bar at the top to search for “barcode scanner.” This will display a list of apps that can be used to scan barcodes.

Advertisement
3
Tap QR & Barcode Scanner . This free Android bar scanner app should be one of the first options. It’s the app made by Gamma Play. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- There are lots of barcode scanner apps you can try, but we've found that this one has the most downloads and positive reviews.
- Some bar scanners are paid apps, and some are free to download. You can try different ones to see which ones work best for you.
It’s the large blue button at the top of the page. This downloads the apps to your Android phone.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Scanning a Barcode

Download Article

1
Open the QR & Barcode Scanner app. It has an icon that resembles a QR code. You can find it in your Apps menu or on your Home screen.
- Alternatively, you can tap Open in the Google Play Store when it finishes downloading.
- The first time you open the app, it will ask permission to use your camera. Tap Allow while using the app to allow it access to your camera.
2
Point your camera at a barcode. You will see the barcode on your screen. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Make sure the barcode is well-lit. The scanner will have a hard time if part or all of the barcode is too dark.
Make sure the entire square code is inside the box on your screen.
When scanning a traditional line barcode, the line in the viewfinder needs to be perpendicular to the lines of the barcode.
This can help focus if the barcode appears blurry.
When the scan is successful, it will display the contents of the barcode.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Taking Actions

Download Article

1
Review the barcode's information. After scanning a code, you'll see the type of information that it contains. This can range from text to website URLs. The content will be displayed at the top of the screen. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Unlike QR codes (the squares made of multiple shapes), when you scan the kind of barcode made up of a bunch of lines (usually found on product packaging), you'll usually just see a number instead of being prompted to take an action. These barcodes are often used as product numbers for retailers, and scanning won't prompt you to view product information unless you scan it using that retailer's app.
- If you need a barcode scanner for your business, plenty of models are compatible with Android. You can find Android barcode scanning devices on Amazon and other electronics retailers.
2
Tap an action button to take an action. Your available actions will vary depending on the type of code you scanned.
- For example, if you scanned a QR 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 barcode for a contact, you'll be prompted to add it to your contact list or share it.
- If you scanned the barcode on a product, you may be able to perform a product search and a web search. A product search will search for retail outlets that carry that product.
- If you scanned a calendar event, you will be prompted to add it to your phone's calendar.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting

Download Article

QR codes and barcodes can contain a variety of different types of links and content. Traditional line barcodes only contain a number unless you're using a specific app made for scanning that barcode. 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 to you.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 12
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.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 12
Question

How do I scan a barcode?

Akash Sawarkar

Community Answer

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

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 10

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Traditional barcodes typically just contain basic identifier information that stores use to look up details in their own database. This means that you won't be able to scan a product in a store and see what the price will be for that store, or any other detailed information. At most, you'll just be able to match the product number with the product in a web search.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

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

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

Log in

How to Scan Barcodes with an Android Phone Using Barcode Scanner

Using a Bar Scanner for Android

Steps

Installing a Barcode Scanner

Scanning a Barcode

Taking Actions

Troubleshooting

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories