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Phone Compatible Barcode Scanners for iPhone, iPad & Android
Phone compatible barcode scanners are wireless Bluetooth scanners built to pair directly with smartphones and tablets over Bluetooth, so you can scan into a mobile point of sale, inventory or stocktake app without a cabled computer. POS Plaza stocks Bluetooth scanners from Socket Mobile and other trusted brands, in both 1D laser and 2D imager models, many supplied with a charging dock or cradle. Prices range from around $440 to $880 inc GST, with same-day dispatch from our Sydney warehouse.
Will these scanners work with my iPhone or iPad?
Yes. The Socket Mobile range is MFi certified, which is Apple's "Made for iPhone/iPad" program. MFi certification means the scanner is approved to pair with iOS without the on-screen keyboard disappearing, which is the common problem with cheap Bluetooth scanners on Apple devices. These scanners also work with Android phones and tablets, and with Windows. If you run your till on an iPad, an MFi scanner is the right choice.
Which POS apps do they support?
Phone compatible scanners work with the major mobile POS and retail apps, including Square, Shopify POS, Vend (Lightspeed), Kounta and most stocktake and inventory apps that accept keyboard or SDK input. The scanner pairs over Bluetooth and sends the barcode straight into whatever field is active, so setup is usually a matter of pairing once and scanning.
1D or 2D — which do I need?
1D scanners read standard retail barcodes (the lines you see on grocery and retail products). They are the lower cost option and suit a shop scanning EAN or UPC barcodes at the counter. 2D scanners read both 1D barcodes and 2D codes such as QR codes and DataMatrix. Choose 2D if you need to scan QR codes, loyalty codes, mobile vouchers, or codes shown on a customer's phone screen. Scanning a code off a screen needs a 2D imager, as 1D laser models cannot read screens reliably.
What's in the range?
Socket Mobile is the best known brand for phone compatible scanning. The S700 series covers cordless 1D scanning for everyday retail, while the SocketScan S740 is a 2D imager that reads both printed barcodes and screen-based codes. Many models are available with a charging dock so the scanner sits ready on the counter between scans. Battery life covers a full trading day on a charge.
How much do phone compatible barcode scanners cost in Australia?
- Cordless 1D Bluetooth scanner: from around $440 inc GST
- Cordless 2D Bluetooth scanner (Socket S740): around $500 to $660 inc GST
- Scanner with charging dock / higher-spec 2D: up to around $880 inc GST
All prices inc GST. Prices listed were accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice, so please check the individual product page for current pricing. Browse the full barcode scanner range, see all cordless barcode scanners, or call 1300 115 808 if you want help matching a scanner to your POS app.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do Bluetooth barcode scanners work with Square on an iPad?
A: Yes. An MFi-certified Bluetooth scanner such as the Socket Mobile range pairs with Square on iPad and iPhone and scans straight into the Square app. MFi certification is what stops the on-screen keyboard from dropping out while the scanner is connected.
Q: Can these scanners read a barcode or QR code from a phone screen?
A: Only the 2D imager models can read codes off a screen reliably. If you need to scan QR codes, mobile vouchers or loyalty codes shown on a customer's phone, choose a 2D scanner like the SocketScan S740 rather than a 1D laser model.
Q: Do they work with Android as well as Apple?
A: Yes. The scanners pair over Bluetooth with Android phones and tablets, iPhone and iPad, and Windows devices. They are not locked to Apple.
Q: How long does the battery last?
A: A typical phone compatible scanner lasts a full trading day on a charge. Models supplied with a charging dock sit on the counter and top up between scans, so they stay ready through busy periods.
Q: Is the scanner corded or completely wireless?
A: These are cordless Bluetooth scanners. They connect wirelessly to your phone or tablet and are charged by USB cable or a charging dock. If you need a cabled scanner for a fixed computer, see our handheld USB range instead.