In this article, we’re going to look for the best barcode scanner for iPhone 6. Some of these apps will scan barcodes as well as QR codes.
How can I scan a barcode with my iPhone 6?
There are two types of barcodes you will see in use today: QR codes and barcodes. QR codes are the square ones you see in a lot of restaurant and advertisements these days, while barcodes are the familiar row of vertical lines you see on pretty much every product in a supermarket. Of the two, most iOS devices (and Android) will scan QR codes without any additional software, while barcodes require installing an app, but most are free.
Scanning a QR Code
Scanning a QR codes on your iPhone, iPad, or another iOS device is pretty easy. Quite a few shops, websites and locations use them as a way to communicate or store information.
Who Uses QR Codes?
QR codes are used by ticket websites, for coupon codes, website links, and even contact information. Though they’ve been around for since 1994, they became quite popular during Covid-19 because they could be used without having to touch something. Restaurants found putting their menu online and accessed with a QR code meant one less thing to clean and sanitize too. In Ontario (and Canada), restaurants started putting the contract tracking form online using a QR code to link to the form.
Most Apple (and modern Android devices too), including the iPhone 6 have a built-in QR scanner.
Here is how to scan with the build-in app (this also works the same on Android)
- First open the iOS Camera app from the Home screen, Control Center, or Lock screen.
- Then select the rear-facing camera. Hold your iPhone so that the QR code appears centred in the viewfinder. If your device recognizes the QR code, it will show a notification.
- Tap on-screen notification to open the link associated with the QR code.
If you are having problems scanning a code, here are some common reasons:
Quality of the QR Code
If the code is blurry, too small, some phones might not be able to scan. If the phone shows a guide box on the screen, try and fit the code inside it for best results. In bright sunlight or at night you might also have problems, try shielding the QR code with your arm in daylight, or at night, try to put the code under some light – even using the phone’s flashlight might work.
Inverting colours
This is more a design issue when printing your menu. A QR code should be on a white background with black text as some older models might be unable to.
Position of the phone to the code
If the code is printed on a bag or other non-flat item, try and position your phone, so the code is facing the QR code directly head-on. Some apps can still read codes from an angle, but straight on is best.
If you are creating a QR code, here are some tips for designing your own QR codes.
Which Is the Best Barcode Scanner App?
iPhones do not have a built-in barcode scanner, but you can find several in the Apple App Store.
Because barcodes are commonly found on almost all products (the official name is UPC or Universal Product Code for a reason), many of the apps are designed to help you check products in stores. Most of the app listed here are for specific applications like price comparison or checking food items for nutritional or dietary requirements.
Using your iPhone, you can quickly scan the barcode of any item and check its price and other details.
When choosing an app, there are plenty available. Some will scan both QR codes and barcodes. If so, they’ll indicate it in the description.
Here are a few free and well-reviewed barcode apps that you can find in Apple’s App Store:
- QR Code Reader. QR Code Reader is recommended as the best all-around barcode reader. When available, it shows information such as the full name of the product and recent retail price history. QR Code Reader also includes links to the product on Amazon, and Google.
- Quick Scan QR Code Reader. QuickSan is a convenient app for reading retail barcodes, though it usually requires you to watch a video advertisement before seeing results.
- Scandit Barcode Scanner. If you need for it, this powerful scanner can read many different types of barcodes, in addition to retail barcodes.
What is the best scanner app for iPhone 6?
While you can use your iPhone’s Camera app to automatically scan QR codes by just holding the camera in front of the QR code and taping a pop-up, traditional barcodes are a different matter because there’s no app built into your phone that can do this for you.
Which is the best barcode scanner app?
If you’re looking for a barcode scanner, here are some popular apps to check out. You’ll notice many of them are aimed at shoppers making price comparisons.
Dietary
Scan Halal: Scan Halal scans food items to get a breakdown of ingredients, including their source. It supports products in the US and Canada. The app will list the ingredients (plant, animal, synthetic, etc.) and display the halal status.
Shopwell: This app shows you which foods you should avoid staying on your diet. The Shopwell app simplifies nutrition labels and provides a personalized nutrition score when you create a Food Profile with your dietary goals, health concerns, allergies and dislike.
Health
Think Dirty: helps you learn about the potentially toxic ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products you would like to buy. Think Dirty offers can scan product inforamtion for over 305 thousand cosmetics and beauty products. It also lets you save products to your shopping lists and purchase them online.
NxtNutrio: want to avoid GMO (genetically-modified foods)? NxtNutrio helps shoppers spot numerous chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and flavour enhancers.
Comparison Shopping
Bakodo: this app scans all types of barcodes (barcodes and QR as well as ISBN codes for books). It helps you get detailed product information to make better shopping decisions.
Cardstar: a neat free barcode scanner that could come handy in stores. It’s useful for storing your store cards info and rewards.
GoodReads: For book lovers, the GoodReads app helps you discover and rate books. You can use it to recommend books to your friends too.
Pic2shop: Pic2shop is pretty useful barcode reader app that enables you to compare product prices fast. It supports iPhones and iPads.
ShopSavvy: ShopSavvy has a pretty decent barcode scanner and gives you access to local deals and sales.
Quick Scan Pro: Another barcode scanner reads UPC, EAN, ISBN, and others. Quick Scan offers price and product search features too. LED light option while scanning is available.
ScanLife: a QR and barcode code reader that popular barcode formats (QRCode, Datamatrix, EZcode). Can help with product comparison and nutritional information (the USA only).
QR and UPC scanners Scanners
NeoReader: an excellent basic (and free) universal barcode scanning application capable of reading QR, EAN, UPC, and Data Matrix codes. It is reasonably reliable too.
Inventory Control: This app helps organize your inventory. This app gives you stock and price information as items are scanned. You can add items manually too.
Scanbot 6: a document and QR code scanner that lets you capture URLs, contacts, addresses, and locations. It can also scan single & multi-page documents.
Barcodas for iPhone: a unique barcode scanner that makes music patterns out of scanned EAN and UPC barcodes. It makes shopping for products a whole lot more fun.
Quick Scan: supports UPC, EAN, ISBN, and other commercial barcodes. You can search for prices, sort your scans, and save your favourite products.
Hopefully, these will give you some ideas about what kinds of barcode scanners are available for your iPhone 6 and other iOS devices.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
