Scan barcodes with the device camera
The phone or tablet running SeroPOS can scan barcodes with its own camera, so a second till, a market stall or a pop-up can sell by barcode without extra hardware.
Camera barcode scanner in SeroPOS
Built into the app
A Scan Barcode button sits on the category and product screens on phones, and on the tablet sale screen.
No scanner needed
The device camera reads the barcode, so a phone or tablet is all you need to ring up scanned items.
SKU lookup
The scanned code is looked up on the server and the matching product goes into the cart.
Works with variations
If the product has sizes or options, the till asks which one before adding it.
iPhone, iPad and Android
Camera scanning works on iOS and Android phones and tablets running SeroPOS.
Pair with a USB scanner
Use the camera on mobile tills and a USB scanner at the main counter, against the same products.
Scanning with the camera you already have
Not every till needs a dedicated scanner. On a phone or tablet, SeroPOS shows a Scan Barcode button next to the product search. Tap it, point the camera at the barcode and the app reads it. This makes barcode selling possible on a phone at a farmers market, a tablet at a pop-up shop, or a second device used during a rush.
On phones the button appears on the Categories screen and the Products screen. On tablets it sits beside the search field on the main sale screen, next to the field that also accepts a USB scanner. Staff use whichever is closer, and both add products to the same cart, so a cashier can mix scanned, searched and tapped items in one sale.
What happens after a scan
When the camera reads a code, SeroPOS looks up the SKU on the server and adds the matching product to the cart. If the product has variations, the Select Variation sheet asks for the size or option. If it is an open-price item, the till asks for the price, and if it has modifiers, the modifier sheet opens next.
Because the lookup runs on the server, camera scanning needs an internet connection. If the till is offline, staff can still find the product by typing its name or SKU into the search field or by tapping it in the category grid, and the sale saves locally as usual until the connection returns.
Getting good scans
Camera scanning works best with steady hands and decent light. Hold the barcode flat and fill most of the camera view with it, then keep the device still for a moment while the app reads the code. Glossy or curved packaging can reflect light, so tilting the item slightly often helps. Small codes on jewellery tags or cosmetics may need the camera a little closer.
For counters that scan dozens of items per sale, a USB or keyboard-wedge scanner is faster and works offline. Many businesses run both: a fixed scanner on the main till and camera scanning on phones and tablets used elsewhere in the store. Both read the same SKUs from your product list, so there is nothing extra to set up.
Where camera scanning fits
Camera scanning suits low-volume and mobile selling: pop-up shops, markets, events, home businesses and stores that only scan a few items a day. It also helps restaurants and cafés that sell some packaged retail items, such as bottled drinks or coffee beans, alongside their menu, without adding hardware to the counter.
Products need a SKU that matches their barcode for scanning to work. Type the barcode number into the SKU field when you add a product, or import SKUs in bulk from a spreadsheet in the back office. Items without a barcode can be labelled with barcodes printed from the back office and then scanned by camera or scanner.
Frequently asked questions
Can I scan barcodes with my phone in SeroPOS?
Yes. On iPhone and Android phones, tap Scan Barcode on the Categories or Products screen and point the camera at the code. SeroPOS looks up the SKU and adds the product to the cart. Tablets have the same button on the sale screen.
Does camera scanning need the internet?
Yes. The scanned code is looked up on the server, so the device needs an internet connection. When offline, staff can still search by name or SKU, tap products in the grid, or use a USB scanner, which matches against products stored on the till.
Is camera scanning as fast as a barcode scanner?
A dedicated scanner is faster for large baskets because it reads instantly and works offline. Camera scanning is ideal when you scan a handful of items, sell on the move, or want a second till without buying a scanner. Many stores use both on the same product list.
Can I scan on an iPad with SeroPOS?
Yes. The iPad app includes the camera scan button on the sale screen. Point the rear camera at the barcode and the product is added to the cart once the SKU is found. You can use it alongside a keyboard-wedge scanner if you have one.
What if a scanned barcode is not found?
If no product has that SKU, nothing is added. Check that the product's SKU field holds the full barcode number, including any leading zeros. You can edit the SKU in the Admin hub on the till or in the web back office.