Barcode Reader Not working in specific devices

Question

Hello,

I have a canvas app created in PowerApps that has a Barcode Reader element. It works well in all iPhones and most of the androids. However, the barcode (Code 128) is not being detected in some of the mobile phone models Samsung M36 (Android 14), Oppo F19 Pro (Android 13) and Google Pixel.

I have tried using different Barcode type, scanning quality, Scanning mode and both front and rear camera. The barcode still doesn't get detected.

This issue is quite urgent, and I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide. Thank you in advance for your support!

Answer 1

Hello Kavya,

Thank you for reaching out about the barcode reader issue in your Power Apps canvas app. I understand how important it is for your app to work consistently across all devices.

You’ve already tried multiple approaches like changing barcode types, scanning quality and camera options which shows your commitment to resolving this quickly. It can be frustrating when the feature works on most devices but fails on specific models.

The barcode reader control in Power Apps relies on the device’s native camera and scanning capabilities and differences in hardware or Android versions can affect detection. Some devices may struggle with Code 128 due to camera focus or image processing limitations. To improve detection ensure the app uses the latest Power Apps mobile version and verify that camera permissions are enabled. You can also try increasing scanning quality in the control properties or switching to a more widely supported barcode type like Code39 or QR for testing. If the issue persists use the Monitor tool in Power Apps to capture logs and identify performance or compatibility issues. For devices with persistent problems consider implementing an alternative scanning approach using connectors like Encodian Barcode or Cloudmersive Barcode which provide extended barcode support and processing capabilities.

Have you confirmed that the affected devices are running the latest Power Apps mobile app and that camera permissions are fully enabled? Also did you notice if the issue occurs only with Code 128 or with other barcode types as well?

I hope this answer is helpful if you have further questions feel free to reply back

Regards,

Marcelo

Answer 2

Hi Kavya,

My apology for the late response, since the problem persists across multiple barcode types and the affected devices already have the latest Power Apps app and permissions enabled. The most effective workaround is to implement an alternative scanning solution using a connector or custom component this bypasses the limitations of the built-in Barcode Reader control on certain Android devices.

Using a barcode scanning connector such as Encodian or Cloudmersive allows images to be processed and barcodes decoded on the server side. To implement this add the connector to your app through the Data section under Add Data and Connectors. Capture the image using the device camera with the Camera control, then send the image to the connector for decoding and display the decoded value in your app. This method ensures consistent results across all devices because the decoding happens in the cloud rather than on the device.

Another approach is to use a PowerApps Component Framework (PCF) control. Community-built PCF components for barcode scanning often rely on advanced libraries like ZXing or QuaggaJS which provide better compatibility. To use this option download or build a PCF barcode scanner component, import it into your app and replace the default Barcode Reader control with the PCF component.

If your scenario allows consider using QR codes as a fallback. QR codes are generally easier to detect across different devices compared to Code 128 and can serve as a temporary solution while you work on implementing a more robust scanner.

Regards,

Marcelo