5 Ways to Scan a Barcode Using Computers and Phones

Get a barcode scanner app from the App and Google Play Store, then center the barcode on your screen to scan it.
Windows users can download an app to scan barcodes with built-in or external cameras.
Use a website if you have a barcode in a PDF or photo to extract that barcode information.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using iPhone & iPad

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1
Launch QR Code Reader/QR Scanner App. This is a free app from the app store that has lots of positive feedback.
- The developer is MixerBox Inc, and you can find and download this app at https://apps.apple.com/app/free-qr-code-reader-barcode/id903799541. The app icon mixes a QR code and a barcode that says "New" in the top right corner.
- The app is free, but you can pay to remove ads. There are more barcode scanner apps, but this one is highly rated and easy to use.
For the item that you want to scan, locate the barcode on the item or its packaging.

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You'll see a box in the middle of your screen; center your item's barcode in the box to prompt it to scan. Once lined up and in focus, the barcode will scan instantly.
You should see a list (if applicable) of matching item results after the barcode scans.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Android

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Launch Barcode Scanner Pro. It's an app from the Google Play Store with good reviews and ratings.
- You can download the app for free if you don't have it. There are more barcode scanner apps, but this one is highly rated and easy to use.
- The app's developer is Geeks.Lab.2015 and you can find the app here.
For the item that you want to scan, locate the barcode on the item or its packaging.
You'll see a box in the middle of the Barcode Scanner Pro screen; center your item's barcode in the box to prompt it to scan. Once lined up and in focus, the barcode will scan instantly.
4
Review the barcode's results. You should see a list (if applicable) of matching item results after the barcode scans.
- You can tap Product Search or Web Search to search the web for matching results.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using a Website

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Go to a website that offers barcode scanning. This is the best way to scan barcodes in PDFs or images that are on your device, including Mac and Windows computers as well as Android, iPhone, and iPad.
- Sites like https://nanonets.com/barcode-scanner and https://bytescout.com/apps/barcode-reader.html offer free barcode scanners online.
This will start the scanning process.
3
Download the extracted files. Most of these websites will compile the scanned information in a spreadsheet for you to download.
- Many online barcode scanners offer a limited amount of free scans, but you can pay more to get more scans.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Barcode Manager for Windows

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Open Barcode Manager for Windows. Click the app icon that looks like a maroon grid with a trash can in one corner.
- This is the best method if you have a physical barcode and a Windows 10-11 computer/laptop with a built-in camera.
- If you don't have the app, you can get it for free from the Microsoft Store.
It's in the middle of the Barcode Manager for Windows app screen.
3
Hold up your barcode to the camera. The lines on the screen show you where you need to center the code.
- You'll see a green notification at the bottom of the screen when the app scans the barcode. Click it to see more.^{[1]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using QR Code Reader: 2Stable for Mac

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Download and open QR Code Reader: 2Stable for Mac. This free app can scan barcodes or read them from image files. Click the app icon that looks like a combination between a QR code and a barcode with a blue and black line in the middle.
- This is the best method to use if you have a physical bar code and have a Mac computer with a built-in camera.
- If you don't have the app, you can get it for free from the App Store.
- While there are several apps in the App Store that claim to scan barcodes, this is the most highly rated free option.
It looks like a tiny, simplified QR code with brackets around it.
3
Give the app permission to record your screen. On the next screen, you’ll see a message telling you that you need to give the app permission to record your screen. Click the blue Open System Preferences button and toggle on the switch next to QR Code.
- You can always toggle this option off again if you aren’t comfortable leaving it on.
- You may be prompted to verify with Touch ID or your administrator password.
- Quit and restart the QR Code Reader app if you’re prompted to do so.
5
Select the camera icon to open your Mac’s webcam. It’s the icon that looks like a video camera
in the bottom right corner.
- If prompted, give the app permission to access your camera.
6
Hold the barcode inside the target. Your camera will come on, and you’ll see a white square bracket in the middle of the screen. Position the barcode in the middle of the bracket. You may need to move it around a little to get the scanner to recognize it.
- As soon as the app captures the barcode, the camera will automatically turn off and you will see the scanned code on the screen. You don’t need to click anything or press any keys.
- Your scanned codes will be saved in a list under My Codes on the main app screen. Click a code to see more information about it.

Community Q&A

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Question

Do barcode results include the price of the item?

Community Answer

Generally, no. The price is normally determined in the store in which the item is sold.

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How do I scan a bar code on my phone?

Community Answer

Go to the app store or the play store and search "barcode scan" and download any of the apps, install it and then use it.

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How do I scan a barcode on my cell phone?

Community Answer

Go to your app store and search "barcode scanner" and download one. Then you can open the app and use the scanner.

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Tips

If you need to scan a lot of physical barcodes, like a library full of books, you may need to invest in an external scanner that connects via Bluetooth to your Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, and iPad. You can find lots of these at retailers like Amazon.

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You can also use your phone (or computer) to scan QR codes which are essentially square barcodes.

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If you have a QR code in your photo library, you don't need another app or device to be able to scan it.

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