# Scanning barcodes: a USB scanner or the phone camera

> Put the cursor in the scan field and shoot with a USB or Bluetooth scanner, or tap "Scan barcode" on a phone and point the camera. What to do when nothing is read.

Section: Selling · verified against the product on 2026-10-29

Canonical: https://dashingerp.com/en/help/scan-barcodes-camera-or-usb-scanner

A scanner reads the code and adds the item to the sale in one beat; the cursor has to be in the scan field for a USB scanner, and a phone needs the camera allowed once.

## Steps

1. Open "Sell". A USB or Bluetooth scanner works like a keyboard: plug it in or pair it with the device, no setup inside Dashing.
2. Put the cursor in the field "Scan or type a code or name" (press F1 to return to it from anywhere on the screen), then scan the item. It appears in the cart.
3. On a phone, tap "Scan barcode". The phone asks for permission to use the camera: tap Allow.
4. Hold the barcode inside the frame until the item is added. To add the same item again, move the barcode away and bring it back.
5. Tap "Close the camera" when you finish, or keep scanning the next items.
6. If a code does not read, type its digits in the field and press Enter; it behaves exactly like a scan.

## If it doesn't work

- The camera does not open: on iPhone go to Settings, Safari, Camera, Allow, then reopen the page. On Android tap the lock next to the address, Permissions, Camera, Allow.
- "The camera is in use by another app or tab": close that app or tab and try again.
- "This device has no camera": use a barcode scanner, or type the code.
- A scanner scans but nothing appears: click the scan field first; the cursor was somewhere else.
- A beep with a window "This code isn't in your products": see [a barcode is not found](/help/barcode-not-found-at-the-till).

## What the system does not do

It does not read a barcode that is crumpled or very small on a bright shiny wrapper; type it instead, or print a clear label ([printing labels](/help/print-barcode-labels)).

## Common questions

**Does scanning work without internet?**

A USB or Bluetooth scanner does, because it only types the code. The phone camera reader downloads once from the internet; after that, if it fails to open offline, type the code in the field.

**The same item must be counted twice, but the camera counts it once.**

That is on purpose, so one item held in front of the camera is not counted again and again. Move the barcode away and bring it back to add another.

## Other languages

- العربية: https://dashingerp.com/help/scan-barcodes-camera-or-usb-scanner
- کوردی: https://dashingerp.com/ckb/help/scan-barcodes-camera-or-usb-scanner

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Dashing · https://dashingerp.com/en