Barcode scanners
If you're using Shopify POS for iPad and you're on the Shopify plan or higher, then you can use our supported Bluetooth barcode scanners to quickly enter discount codes and add products to the cart at checkout. The cordless barcode scanners can scan barcodes up to 100 meters away from your iPad, which gives you complete freedom of movement in your retail store.
The Bluetooth barcode scanner models that we support are:
- Socket Mobile S700 and CHS 7Ci 1D barcode scanners
- Socket Mobile S740 and CHS 7Qi 2D barcode scanners
1D barcodes versus 2D barcodes
Your choice of barcode scanner depends on whether you want to scan 1D or 2D barcodes. The two types of barcode are easy to tell apart and have different uses. You can use the Socket Mobile S740 and CHS 7Qi 2D barcode scanners to scan both 1D and 2D barcodes.
1D barcodes
1D barcodes are a row of parallel lines of varying thickness:
You can create barcode labels with 1D barcodes for your products, and then use the Socket Mobile S700 and CHS 7Ci 1D barcode scanner, or your iOS or Android device's front-facing camera, to quickly add products to the Shopify POS cart when you check out a customer:
2D barcodes
2D barcodes are a pattern of black and white blocks arranged in a square:
With Shopify POS, you can use 2D barcodes in a few ways:
- Scan the barcode of a gift card to add it to the cart when you sell a physical gift card.
- Scan a physical or paper barcode at checkout when you redeem a gift card.
- Scan a discount code to apply it to the order.
- Use the receipt printer to print paper gift cards that have a 2D barcode.
- Include 2D barcodes on customer receipts so that you can scan them in the future to find the associated order.
Grant the Shopify POS app access to your device's camera
You can use your iOS or Android device's camera to scan the following 1D and 2D barcodes:
- products
- receipts
- gift cards (2D only)
If you want to scan barcodes with your iPad's front-facing camera, then you'll need to grant the Shopify POS app access to the camera. You'll be asked to grant the app access the first time you tap the barcode button or scan a gift card, but you can also do so manually from your iPad's privacy settings.
Steps:
From your iPad's home screen, tap Settings.
Tap Shopify POS.
Enable Camera.
If you want to scan barcodes with your iPhone's camera, then you'll need to grant the Shopify POS app access to the camera. You'll be asked to grant the app access the first time you tap the barcode button or scan a gift card, but you can also do so manually from your iPhone's privacy settings.
Steps:
From your iPhone's home screen, tap Settings.
Tap Shopify POS.
Enable Camera.
If you want to scan barcodes with your Android device's camera, then you'll need to grant the Shopify POS app access to the camera. You'll be asked to grant the app access each time you tap the barcode button or redeem a gift card until you grant it access or check Don't ask again.
If you've checked Don't ask again and are no longer receiving the permissions prompt, then you can still grant the app access from your Android device's privacy settings.
Steps:
From your Android device's home screen, tap Settings.
Tap Apps & notifications.
Tap Shopify POS.
Tap Permissions.
Enable Camera.