barKoder Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

barKoder Barcode Scanner SDK FAQ

The barKoder Barcode Scanner SDK is a high-end barcode recognition tool for Android and iOS mobile devices, compatible with various platforms and frameworks. It only requires internet connectivity for the initial initialization and supports most commonly used barcode symbologies. The SDK has specific technical specifications and minimum requirements and also works on any browser that supports WebAssembly and ResizeObserver.

Licensing is based on devices that successfully initialize and scan at least one barcode.

The SDK does not store any personal information retrieved from scanning a barcode.

1. What is the barcode scanner SDK by barKoder?

barKoder is a mobile & web barcode scanner SDK for high-end level barcode recognition that features an industry-leading algorithm for empowering Android and iOS mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc) with the ability to recognize 1D or 2D barcodes and capture their data through their cameras.

2. Do I need to be connected to the internet in order to use the barcode scanning function?

When the SDK starts for the first time, it will require internet connectivity, i.e. when the SDK initially calls our server to verify the license key. However, it won't require connectivity again for the next 7 days following the first initialization and all scanning functions will be performed locally on the device.

3. Which platforms and frameworks are supported?

Platforms/frameworks that are supported by the barKoder's Mobile Barcode Scanner SDK include:

Android Native SDK
iOS Native SDK
Web (WASM) SDK SDK
Flutter for both Android and iOS
React Native for both Android and iOS
Capacitor for both Android and iOS
Xamarin for both Android and iOS
MAUI for both Android and iOS
Cordova for both Android and iOS
Nativescript for both Android and iOS

4. How many symbologies are supported?

Most of the commonly used barcode symbologies are supported by our mobile barcode scanning SDK. That includes 1D (Codabar, Code 11, Code 25, Code 32, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, EAN, Interleaved/Industrial 2of5 MSI Plessey, Telepen, UPC) and 2D (Aztec Code, Data Matrix, DotCode, PDF417, QR Code) barcode types. Please refer to our documentation page for a detailed list of Supported Symbologies.

5. What is the process for obtaining a trial license key?

Getting your evaluation key is now easier than ever. You only need to register an account on our Developer Portal and utilize the Trial License Generating self service.

6. Does the SDK have any technical specifications or minimum requirements?

Minimum OS Version is Android 5.0 (API level 21) and iOS 10
Minimum supported Camera Resolution: 1280×720 resolution (HD);
Recommend are devices with cameras of at least 8 Mega Pixels featuring Autofocus (AF);
Architectures - arm64, armeabi , x86, x86_64.

7. Which browsers are supported by the barKoder Web SDK?

The barKoder Web SDK will work on any browser that supports WebAssembly and ResizeObserver:

Desktop: Chrome 64+, Firefox 69+, Safari 13.1+ (macOS), Edge 79+ and Opera 51+
Android mobile: Chrome 64+, Firefox 79+, Samsung Internet 9.0+ and Opera 47+
iOS mobile: Safari 13.4+, Chrome, Firefox, Edge

On the following pages you will find a summary of the support across most used browsers by version:
https://caniuse.com/#feat=wasm
https://caniuse.com/resizeobserver

8.How does the barKoder SDK licensing work?

The barKoder Mobile SDK will register only the devices which successfully initialize and scan at least a single barcode from within your mobile or web application.

Note that uninstalls/reinstalls or the app on the same device will not consume additional device licenses from your license pool.

With standard tracking license the device queries the tracking server based on the callback (cb) parameter. This parameter is typically set to 7 days from the call, so devices with standard licenses usually record events every 7 days. If the device doesn't call for 7 days, an additional 7 days are added (amounting to 14 days) before the device starts returning unlicensed results. To "renew" the license, the device MUST establish an internet connection and query the licensing server. Otherwise, the results will be unlicensed, even if the on-device license hasn't expired yet.

Decode counts are updated when the SDK's initialization function is called, but only periodically (about once a week), thus the count is not always precise if the SDK hasn't contacted our licensing servers. It is recommended that your app should only initialize the SDK when the scanning functionality is actually needed. But even for cases where it is initialized elsewhere, i.e. on app startup, then a device license will only temporarily consume a device license. Such zero decode device licenses will be cleared once every 24 hours.

The barKoder Web SDK on the other hand registers only the devices which use the scanner to successfully decode at least one barcode. Web apps are limited to a browser, so instead of devices we actually count unique browser clients. If an end-user opens the web app in two different browsers, say Chrome and Firefox, it will be registered as two counts.

9. I can't scan my barcode. Why is that?

The symbology of a particular barcode must be enabled within the demo app and/or the barKoder SDK in order for it to be successfully scanned;
Make sure that the sample is not too small or severely damaged;
That your equipment meets the minimum requirements, see FAQ #6.
If you still can't scan the barcode after validating the above, don't hesitate to contact us.

10. Is it possible to capture data from documents that contain a MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) code instead of a barcode?

Yes! barKoder has recently introduced support for capturing the data contained within any 2 or 3 line MRZ codes from passports, visas or ID's! You can read more here.