Which scanner to choose for the phone handheld
The phone handheld takes scans in three ways, all equal: the camera, an external scanner in keyboard mode and the built-in scanner of an Android handheld. You can start with no purchases at all — with the camera. Below: how to choose for your volume and what to look for when buying.
How to choose#
| Your situation | What to take |
|---|---|
| Dozens of items a day, deliveries once a week | the phone camera — nothing to buy |
| Hundreds of items per shift, receiving by boxes, full stocktakes | a 2D Bluetooth scanner for the employee's phone |
| The warehouse works all day, several people share one device | an Android handheld with a built-in scanner |
| DataMatrix product codes, lot and expiry in a GS1 barcode | only a 2D scanner (imager) or the camera — a 1D laser scanner can't read DataMatrix |
What you need to start#
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| An Android 8+ smartphone or an iPhone (iOS 16+) with the Work or Business app | the "Warehouse / Handheld" module, see getting started |
| For an external scanner — keyboard (HID) mode with an Enter suffix | that is how the phone tells a scan from typing |
| For GS1 and DataMatrix product codes — the GS character | how to set up GS |
Phone camera#
The camera reads product barcodes (EAN, UPC, Code128, ITF-14 on cases), DataMatrix, PDF417 and QR. Three modes:
- single — aim, hear the beep, the line grows;
- continuous — the camera stays open between scans, the same code in the frame counts once;
- multi-scan — every code in the frame at once, the "Count all (N)" button: handy for cases on a pallet.
There is a torch and zoom. Read small DataMatrix codes on a budget phone closer and with light; if the camera often misses, take a Bluetooth scanner.
Bluetooth or USB scanner#
Any scanner with a keyboard (HID) mode works — on Android and on iPhone.
- Put the scanner into HID mode and turn on the Enter suffix using the vendor's programming sheet.
- For GS1 and DataMatrix codes, turn on sending GS as F8 or Ctrl+] — details.
- Pair the scanner with the phone in the phone's Bluetooth settings (a USB scanner — via an OTG adapter on Android).
- Open the handheld module and scan: no need to tap an input field, the on-screen keyboard doesn't pop up.
- On Android, run the "Scanner check" wizard on the handheld home screen.
What to look for when buying: a 2D imager (not a laser), Bluetooth HID, a programmable suffix and GS/FNC1 output, a battery that lasts a shift. SPP mode on iPhone works only with MFi-certified models — choose HID.
Android handheld with a built-in scanner#
The handheld's built-in scanner sends the code to the app as a broadcast. The app detects the model and listens on the right channel.
| Vendor | How it connects | Profile status |
|---|---|---|
| Zebra | the DataWedge profile is created automatically | per documentation |
| Honeywell | the app claims the scanner itself | per documentation |
| Newland | its own configuration command | per documentation |
| Urovo, Sunmi | broadcast by default | per documentation |
| ATOL (Smart.Droid), iData, Chainway, M3 | broadcast | per integrators' publications |
| Point Mobile, Mertech | broadcast | not tested |
If your model isn't listed or the scanner "beeps but the app is silent", turn on broadcast (Intent) output on the handheld or switch its scanner to keyboard mode — HID works too.
Label and price-tag printer#
The phone prints price tags, warehouse and shelf labels, and picking package labels.
| Channel | Android | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi / network (port 9100) | yes | yes |
| Classic Bluetooth (SPP) | yes | no — an iPhone limitation |
| Bluetooth LE | yes | yes |
| Through a computer with the bridge | yes (PIN pairing) | yes |
Printer languages — ESC/POS, TSPL, ZPL, CPCL. The whole label is sent as one image, so any alphabet prints without printer fonts. Templates and sizes are the same as in the admin panel. The warehouse decides where to print: if printing from the phone is disallowed, the phone prints only through the computer.
Limitations#
- Real handhelds, Bluetooth scanners and Bluetooth printers were tested with emulation, not by hand on the devices — first user feedback will refine the profiles.
- iPhone has no built-in scanner and no "Scanner check" wizard; the printer is Wi-Fi, BLE or through a computer only.
- The phone doesn't print DataMatrix product codes — print them in the office.
Troubleshooting#
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| The scanner beeps, no line | HID and the Enter suffix; the scanner is paired with this phone; on a handheld — broadcast output |
| Letters instead of digits | the scanner's keyboard layout |
| A DataMatrix code is "incomplete" | the scanner drops GS — set up GS |
| The camera doesn't take DataMatrix | closer, torch, zoom; if it fails often — a Bluetooth scanner |
| The printer isn't found on iPhone | classic Bluetooth doesn't work on iPhone — Wi-Fi, BLE or through a computer |
FAQ#
Will my old laser scanner do?#
For product barcodes — yes, in keyboard mode. For DataMatrix and GS1 DataMatrix — no: you need a 2D scanner.
Does it work on a handheld without Google services?#
Yes. Camera recognition is built into the app and doesn't need Google services.