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Barcode Scanner (application)
Barcode Scanner (application)
Barcode Scanner (application)
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Barcode Scanner
DevelopersSean Owen, Daniel Switkin, ZXing Team
Initial release1 March 2008 (2008-03-01)
Stable release
4.7.8[1] / 11 September 2018; 7 years ago (2018-09-11)
Repository
Written inJava
Operating systemAndroid
LicenseApache License 2.0
WebsiteMain site
Google Play
Barcode Scanner scanning a QR code

The application Barcode Scanner is an Android app, from the open-source project ZXing (short for Zebra Crossing), that allows an Android device with imaging hardware (a built-in camera) to scan barcodes or 2D barcodes and retrieve the data encoded.[2] Information encoded often includes web addresses, geographical coordinates, and small pieces of text, in addition to commercial product codes. This Android-based system has similar functionality to a hardware barcode reader.

This application supports many different types of barcodes, including those used to identify products in commerce. The Barcode Scanner can automatically search the Web to identify a product with a barcode and use, for example, price-comparison information between vendors.

The application can decode several 2D barcodes including the widely used QR Code and Data Matrix. QR codes are often embedded in websites; Barcode Scanner can open a browser at the encoded site, for example, facilitating the download of an application.

As of May 2016, this is one of the most downloaded Android applications as listed by Google Play, with over 600,000 ratings and over 126 million user installs.[3][4]

Detection performance of ZXing was assessed on close to 2 million synthetic images for three types of barcodes: QR Code, MaxiCode, and EAN-13 1D barcode. Problematic angles where decoding often fails were found, for example 45, 135, 225 and 315 degrees for QR Codes.[5]

See also

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References

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Barcode Scanner (application)

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Barcode Scanner is an open-source Android application developed under the project, enabling users to scan and decode various one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) , including QR codes, using the device's built-in camera. Launched as part of the ZXing initiative around 2008, the app processes images to extract embedded data such as product identifiers, URLs, contact details, credentials, and textual information, facilitating quick access to online resources or device sharing. It supports integration with other applications via Android Intents, allowing seamless scanning within third-party software, and includes options for batch scanning and history logging of decoded results. Key features encompass support for multiple barcode formats, including: Users can also generate and share QR codes for contacts, apps, bookmarks, or custom text, with customizable search engines like for querying scanned data. The app requires permissions for camera access, storage, contacts, and network connectivity to perform these functions effectively. The app was removed from the Google Play Store in and is available via or direct download from the ZXing repository. Originally actively developed, Barcode Scanner entered after its last major update in September 2018 (version 4.7.8), with development limited to bug fixes and no planned compatibility updates for newer Android versions such as Android 14. Despite this, the underlying ZXing library remains influential, powering barcode functionality in numerous other applications and libraries across , Android, and other platforms.

History and Development

Origins and Initial Release

The ZXing ("") open-source project was founded in 2007 by Sean Owen, a software engineer at , along with other contributors, initially as a barcode image processing library aimed at enabling multi-format 1D and 2D barcode decoding in Java. The project emerged from efforts within Google's Print Ads team to handle barcode-related tasks, with the core library's first version (0.1) released on November 27, 2007, under the Apache License 2.0. This early library focused on fundamental image processing for barcode detection, including QR codes, setting the stage for mobile applications by providing reusable decoding components. Development of the Barcode Scanner Android application preceded the official Android 1.0 release in September 2008, serving as the project's first for real-time scanning on mobile devices via camera hardware. The app, initially authored by Daniel Switkin in collaboration with Owen, was built to demonstrate the ZXing library's capabilities on early Android beta builds, such as the "M3" milestone, and was first publicly released on March 1, 2008. It integrated directly with Android's emerging camera to capture and process images in real time, marking one of the earliest uses of mobile cameras for reading in a consumer-facing app. In its initial release, the Barcode Scanner app emphasized support for basic 1D , including UPC and EAN formats, to enable straightforward product scanning and data extraction, along with initial 2D formats like QR codes from the library. This focus aligned with the library's core strengths in efficient 1D decoding, using Android's camera hardware to preview and capture without requiring additional peripherals, thus pioneering accessible mobile scanning for everyday users during Android's nascent phase.

Evolution and Key Milestones

Following its initial release, the Barcode Scanner application expanded support to include additional 2D barcodes beyond QR codes, enhancing its utility for scanning more complex data formats like URLs and contact information. This evolution built on the core library's early capabilities, allowing the app to handle both 1D and 2D symbologies more robustly as Android devices proliferated. Key milestones marked the app's growth in and features. Around 2010, integration with Android's system enabled third-party applications to invoke the scanner directly, streamlining barcode capture across apps without redundant implementations. In version 4.x, released in 2012, the app introduced barcode encoding capabilities, permitting users to generate QR codes and other formats on-device for sharing or printing. By 2015, support for additional formats including —added to the underlying library in February 2010—and , which saw decoder improvements around 2012, further broadened compatibility with industrial and logistical barcodes. The project has been community-driven since its inception, hosted on GitHub with significant contributions from developers like Sean Owen, who served as a primary author and maintainer. Around 2018, as Google rolled out native barcode scanning APIs in Android via ML Kit, the Barcode Scanner entered maintenance mode, limiting updates to bug fixes and minor enhancements driven by community patches. As of November 2025, the app remains unmaintained and incompatible with Android 14 and later versions, with active development occurring in forks such as zxing-android-embedded to address modern device requirements.

Features and Functionality

Core Scanning Capabilities

The Barcode Scanner application supports a wide array of 1D barcode formats, including , EAN-13, UPC-A, UPC-E, , , , ITF, , RSS-14, and RSS-Expanded, enabling users to decode common product and industrial codes. For 2D formats, it handles , , Aztec (beta implementation), PDF 417 (alpha implementation), and , accommodating diverse applications from inventory tracking to contactless data exchange. The scanning process relies on a real-time camera preview to capture continuous frames, allowing for dynamic detection of barcodes within the field of view. Automatic decoding occurs through image processing algorithms that analyze each frame to identify and interpret patterns without manual intervention. In low-light conditions, users can activate the device's to enhance visibility and improve detection reliability. Accuracy can vary depending on conditions such as focus, , contrast, and barcode damage, with challenges in decoding low-contrast or distorted barcodes.

Additional Tools and Options

The Barcode Scanner app provides a straightforward user interface optimized for quick and intuitive operation. It features a live camera overlay that serves as the primary scanning view with automatic detection. A key supplementary feature is the app's scan history management, which locally stores details of previous scans, including the decoded content and timestamps. Users can access a list of these records for review, search through them for specific entries, and export the history as a CSV text file to the device's storage or directly via for further analysis or backup. Following a successful scan, the app supports various post-scan actions to handle the decoded data efficiently. Options include copying the result directly to the for immediate use, it through Android's mechanism—such as launching a for URLs or composing an with contact information—and utilizing the built-in encode tool to generate new barcodes or QR codes from user-entered text, URLs, or contacts. Customization options further tailor the app to individual preferences and device capabilities. Users can enable or feedback to confirm successful scans audibly and tactilely, toggle continuous scanning mode to allow multiple captures without returning to the , and configure camera permissions to ensure secure and reliable access to the device's hardware. These settings are accessible via the app's preferences , promoting accessibility and efficiency in diverse scanning scenarios.

Technical Aspects

Underlying ZXing Library

ZXing ("") is an open-source, multi-format 1D/2D image processing library implemented in , designed to decode barcodes from images or live camera feeds, with ports available to other languages. Its core architecture revolves around essential image processing steps, including binarization to convert grayscale images into black-and-white bitmaps using classes like Binarizer for threshold-based or adaptive processing, alignment to detect and correct finder patterns or quiet zones in barcodes, and decoding to extract data from the aligned binary representation. These components enable robust handling of various barcode symbologies, such as UPC, EAN, , and , by processing input as luminance sources—typically or RGB data—prior to format-specific parsing. The library's key modules include the abstract Reader class, which provides format-specific parsers for targeted decoding; for instance, the QRCodeReader module employs Reed-Solomon error correction codes to recover data from damaged or obscured QR codes, utilizing a ReedSolomonDecoder to repair up to a configurable percentage of errors based on the code's error correction level. Complementing this, the MultiFormatReader serves as a versatile entry point for automatic detection, sequentially attempting decoding across supported formats without requiring prior knowledge of the symbology, thereby streamlining integration in applications like the Barcode Scanner app, which has relied on ZXing since its inception. For Android-specific adaptations, ZXing leverages the device's Camera API to capture preview frames in format, applying analysis through classes like PlanarYUVLuminanceSource to extract and crop the grayscale intensity channel from raw camera data, facilitating real-time barcode localization and decoding directly from video streams without full storage. This approach optimizes performance on mobile hardware by processing subregions of the frame, focusing computational resources on potential areas identified via and . As an open-source project hosted on under the repository zxing/zxing, it has garnered over 30,000 stars as of 2025, reflecting its widespread adoption and maintenance mode focused on bug fixes and minor enhancements. ZXing's modular design and proven reliability have influenced subsequent libraries across , Android, and other platforms.

Integration and Compatibility

Barcode Scanner integrates seamlessly with the Android ecosystem via the Intent API, allowing other applications to invoke its scanning functionality. It responds to the standard SCAN intent (com.google.zxing.client.android.SCAN), enabling developers to launch the scanner from within their apps for tasks such as product lookups in shopping applications. Upon successful scanning, the app returns the result to the calling application as a URI or , facilitating easy processing of data like URLs or product identifiers. This intent-based approach, powered by the underlying ZXing library, minimizes the need for embedding full scanning logic in third-party apps. The application requires Android 4.4 (API level 19) or higher for optimal performance, leveraging modern camera APIs and permissions introduced in KitKat. It provides backward compatibility for older Android versions through the use of compatibility libraries within the ZXing framework, ensuring functionality on devices running Android 2.3 or later, though with potential limitations in performance and features. Barcode Scanner operates on devices equipped with a rear-facing camera capable of at least 640x480 resolution, which is the minimum for reliable preview and decoding; front-facing cameras are not supported by default. Distribution of Barcode Scanner occurs primarily through open-source channels, as it is no longer available on the Store following its removal in 2019 due to policy changes. Historically, it amassed over 100 million installs via before delisting. The app remains accessible on for users preferring repositories, as well as through direct APK downloads from trusted sites like APKMirror. Key limitations include the absence of a native version, restricting its use to Android platforms exclusively. Additionally, the app may encounter issues on emulators or virtual devices lacking hardware camera support, as it relies on physical camera access for scanning operations.

Usage and Applications

Everyday and Practical Uses

Due to the app's maintenance mode since 2018 and incompatibility with and later versions, the following uses apply primarily to devices running Android 4.4 through Android 13. One of the primary everyday applications of the Barcode Scanner app is for consumers to scan product barcodes in retail settings to facilitate price comparisons and product information retrieval. By capturing UPC or EAN codes on items, the app performs web searches to display prices from online retailers, nutritional details, or reviews, helping users make informed purchasing decisions without needing additional hardware. The app also excels in decoding QR codes for seamless sharing and access in daily scenarios, such as scanning event tickets for entry to concerts or conferences, where the code links directly to validation systems. Similarly, users can scan QR codes on business cards to import contact information via format or connect to networks in homes, cafes, or hotels by automatically joining specified SSIDs without manual entry. In travel and leisure contexts, Barcode Scanner supports scanning mobile boarding passes or QR-linked itineraries at airports, streamlining processes, while visitors can scan exhibit codes to access audio guides or additional historical context. For patrons, scanning menu QR codes retrieves digital versions with information or ordering options, enhancing convenience during meals. These uses leverage the app's support for common formats like QR and to enable quick, standalone interactions. For personal organization, individuals employ the app to track household items by scanning ISBNs on books to catalog personal libraries or UPCs on groceries and collectibles for lists, aiding in budgeting or decluttering efforts at home. This functionality allows users to maintain simple of possessions, searchable by scanned data, without complex setup. Regarding , the app provides basic voice feedback through Android's TalkBack integration for scan confirmation and result readout, assisting visually impaired users in verifying captured data audibly during everyday tasks like product identification.

Integration in Third-Party Software

Due to the app's maintenance mode since 2018 and incompatibility with and later versions, intent-based integrations apply primarily to devices running Android 4.4 through Android 13. The Barcode Scanner app serves as a backend tool for third-party Android applications by exposing its scanning functionality through Android intents, allowing other apps to launch the scanner and retrieve decoded barcode or data without embedding a full scanning . This integration relies on the IntentIntegrator utility provided by the ZXing project, which handles the intent invocation and result parsing in the calling application's activity lifecycle. In applications, the app can act as a plugin for instant product search by scanning to access product details or listings. For point-of-sale (POS) systems and inventory management apps targeting small businesses, the Barcode Scanner app supports seamless data input via intents, streamlining processes like stock checks and on mobile devices. Integrations extend to educational contexts, where it enables QR code-based in apps, such as scanning to trigger access to content or quizzes for student engagement. Within the broader mobile ecosystem, the app's open-source foundation and intent-based design have contributed to the evolution of scanning in various services, while its lack of elements makes it a preferred option for developers prioritizing transparency and customizability over integrated alternatives like ML Kit.

Reception and Impact

Popularity and Adoption

The Barcode Scanner application by the ZXing Team has seen extensive adoption, with over 100 million installs on the Store as of its delisting in 2019 (reported figures exceeding 100 million by 2021), a figure that underscores its historical scale. Its popularity peaked during the , driven by the rapid growth of usage and the rising need for on-device scanning before widespread integration of native Android capabilities. Key drivers of its adoption include its completely free, ad-free distribution and open-source licensing under Apache 2.0, which allowed broad accessibility and customization without commercial barriers. As an early entrant in mobile barcode scanning—initially released in —it established itself as a pioneer, filling a gap in consumer tools for decoding 1D and 2D codes like QR and UPC formats on Android devices. The app's core user base comprises Android enthusiasts and everyday users relying on it for rapid, lightweight scans in shopping, inventory, or scenarios. Within developer communities, it has earned strong endorsements for reliability, as evidenced by its frequent recommendations on platforms like for robust barcode integration in custom applications. While competition from Google's ML Kit barcode APIs, introduced in 2018, contributed to a post-2017 decline in active installs by enabling built-in scanning in many apps and the Android ecosystem, Barcode Scanner retains niche loyalty. Its standalone, open-source design continues to appeal in privacy-conscious setups—such as those avoiding services—and fully offline environments where no internet dependency is required.

Controversies and Challenges

In early 2021, a malicious Android app named "Barcode Scanner" developed by LAVABIRD LTD infected over 10 million devices through a single update that injected , causing unauthorized browser redirects and aggressive advertising without user consent. This incident led to widespread confusion with the legitimate Barcode Scanner app by the ZXing Team, which shares the same name and has over 100 million downloads, resulting in review-bombing of the open-source version with hundreds of one-star ratings accusing it of in February 2021. The ZXing Barcode Scanner has faced criticism for requesting extensive permissions, including access to contacts, storage, device and app , phone state, and /media/files, which raise privacy concerns despite justifications for features like scanned results and maintaining scan . Studies on barcode scanner applications highlight that such broad permissions enable potential data leakage and violate user principles, as minimal access to only camera and network resources is sufficient for core scanning functionality. Development of the ZXing Scanner has been hampered by an aging , with the project entering where only bug fixes and minor enhancements via contributed patches are accepted, leading to slower updates and incompatibility with newer Android versions like 14. To address these limitations and modern integration needs, community forks such as journeyapps/zxing-android-embedded have emerged, providing embedded scanning capabilities, support for contemporary APIs like registerForActivityResult, and compatibility with 24 and above. No major lawsuits have been reported against the ZXing Barcode Scanner, but its 2.0 emphasizes ethical use by requiring attribution, modification notices, and discouraging direct UI copies to avoid user confusion and , thereby preventing misuse in commercial derivatives.

References

  1. https://github.com/zxing/zxing
  2. https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.google.zxing.client.android/
  3. https://zxing.org
  4. https://github.com/zxing/zxing/issues/1133
  5. https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/9/22275024/android-barcode-scanner-app-zxing-malware-confusion-negative-reviews
  6. https://developers.googleblog.com/en/zxing-1d2d-barcode-decoding-source-code-released/
  7. https://groups.google.com/g/zxing/c/E579v2YosU4/m/U_SmEeP4BgAJ
  8. https://zxing.github.io/zxing/apidocs/com/google/zxing/integration/android/IntentIntegrator.html
  9. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9239699/zxing-on-android-pdf417
  10. https://github.com/srowen
  11. https://github.com/journeyapps/zxing-android-embedded
  12. https://github.com/zxing/zxing/wiki/Frequently-Asked-Questions
  13. https://f-droid.org/packages/com.google.zxing.client.android/
  14. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44020263/continous-barcode-scanning-with-zxing
  15. https://zxing.github.io/zxing/apidocs/com/google/zxing/Binarizer.html
  16. https://github.com/zxing/zxing/wiki/Scanning-via-Intent
  17. https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/zxing-team/barcode-scanner/barcode-scanner-4-7-3-2-release/
  18. https://www.upperinc.com/blog/barcode-scanner-apps/
  19. https://www.supercode.com/blog/the-15-most-practical-uses-for-qr-codes
  20. https://free-barcode.com/barcode/barcode-scanner/smartphone-based-barcode-scanners-occasional-scanning-for-personal-use.asp
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBqQobLTv_w
  22. https://github.com/zxing/zxing/wiki/scanning-via-intent
  23. https://appilian.com/barcode-scanner-mobile-app-development-with-java/
  24. https://journal.code4lib.org/articles/5014
  25. https://scanbot.io/blog/ml-kit-vs-zxing/
  26. https://androidcommunity.com/original-barcode-scanner-mistakenly-review-bombed-for-malware-issues-20210210/
  27. https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2742647.2742650
  28. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/300657177_Analyzing_the_Use_of_Quick_Response_Codes_in_the_Wild
  29. https://strich.io/strich-compared-to-zxing-js-and-quagga.html
  30. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/zxing
  31. https://developers.googleblog.com/introducing-ml-kit/
  32. https://sourceforge.net/projects/zxing.mirror/
  33. https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2021/02/barcode-scanner-app-on-google-play-infects-10-million-users-with-one-update
  34. https://www.mdpi.com/2078-2489/11/4/217
  35. https://www.scitepress.org/Papers/2019/73462/73462.pdf
  36. https://github.com/zxing/zxing/wiki/License-Questions
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