Barcode Scanners in Meadow
Barcode scanners speed up your checkout process and help keep inventory accurate by letting you scan product barcodes directly in Meadow. This article covers general scanner topics that apply to all scanner models, including using product barcodes, switching modes, and general troubleshooting.
For model-specific setup, see:
If you need printing labels from Admin check here first >>> How do I use Label Printing?
Using Product Barcodes in Meadow
You can scan manufacturer barcodes directly off product packaging at POS to look up products. You can also use Meadow's label printing feature to create and print your own barcodes.
🗒️ Note: Scanning manufacturer barcodes at POS only surfaces product info — it does not pull up Metrc UID info. You'll still need to select a Metrc package from the screen. For best results, use Meadow's own Metrc barcodes via label printing.
How to Add Product Barcodes
In Meadow Admin, go to Products and open any product.
Select the Point of Sale tab.
Click in the barcode field and scan the product's barcode. The number will populate automatically.
Click Save.
Once saved, you can scan these barcodes at POS to quickly add products to an order. They also work for Cycle Counts and Purchase Orders.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to scan a barcode twice — the number will be entered multiple times. Make sure each barcode is scanned only once per product.
Scanner Modes
Barcode scanners need to be in the correct mode depending on what device you're using them with. Here are the common modes:
iPad Mode (iOS Application Mode)
Use this mode when scanning at the Meadow POS on an iPad. This is the default mode for day-to-day use.
PC/Keyboard Mode (HID Mode)
Use this mode when entering product barcodes into Meadow Admin on a computer. The scanner acts as a keyboard and types the barcode number into whatever field is selected.
To switch to PC mode (Socket S740):
Unpair the scanner from your iPad.
Scan the HID Keyboard Mode barcode below:
HID Peripheral mode — for use with a PC
To switch back to iPad mode:
HID Default mode — for use with iPad browser
Turn on Bluetooth on your computer, find the scanner, and pair.
General Troubleshooting
Scanner Not Found in Bluetooth Settings
Power on the scanner and confirm it's in pairing mode (check for blinking LED).
Forget the scanner on all devices: Go to Settings → Bluetooth, tap the (i) next to the scanner name, and select "Forget This Device."
Factory reset the scanner (see your model-specific article for instructions).
Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then try pairing again.
Scanner Beeps but Nothing Appears on Screen
Make sure the cursor is in a text/search field before scanning.
Confirm the scanner is in the correct mode (iOS mode for iPad, HID mode for PC).
Verify the scanner is connected in Meadow → Menu → Manage Devices → Barcode Scanner.
Scanner Connects to the Wrong iPad
Each scanner can only pair with one device at a time. If the scanner is connecting to the wrong iPad:
Go to the wrong iPad's Bluetooth settings and "Forget This Device."
Factory reset the scanner.
Re-pair with the correct iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any barcode scanner with Meadow, or does it have to be a specific model?
Meadow officially supports the Zebra DS2278 and Socket Mobile S740 scanners. While other Bluetooth scanners may work, we can only provide setup and troubleshooting support for these two models. If you already have a different scanner, you can try connecting it — but if issues arise, we recommend switching to a supported model.
I scanned a barcode but Meadow says "product not found." What's wrong?
This means the barcode hasn't been added to the product in Meadow yet. Go to Meadow Admin → Products, open the product, select the Point of Sale tab, and scan the barcode into the barcode field. Once saved, scanning that barcode at POS will pull up the product.
Can I scan Metrc tags with my barcode scanner?
You can scan Metrc package tag barcodes in certain areas of Meadow (such as during cycle counts or receiving purchase orders), but scanning a manufacturer barcode at POS does not pull up Metrc UID information. For best results with Metrc compliance, use Meadow's label printing feature to generate and print your own Metrc barcodes.
Are archived products still showing up when I print barcodes?
If archived products appear in your barcode print list, check your filter settings in Meadow Admin. Make sure you're filtering by Active products only. If archived items continue to show, contact Meadow support so we can investigate further.
How do I switch my scanner between iPad mode and PC mode?
You need to scan a special configuration barcode to switch modes. For the Socket S740, the mode-switching barcodes are shown in this article above under "Scanner Modes." For the Zebra DS2278, see the model-specific article for the 3-barcode reset sequence. Always unpair the scanner from the current device before switching modes.
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Still Need Help?
Contact Meadow support via chat or email at support@getmeadow.com.