PowerApps Barcode Reader Not Working On Teams

Question

Hello,

I am currently just trying to make a very simple app for testing purposes to see how the barcode reader component works in powerapps and if it can be used on teams. I have a very simple setup with a barcode reader button and a gallery that is connected to a sharepoint list. The goal is simple we would just read the barcode and the gallery would populate.

Before we can even get to that step though, after publishing the app to teams, whenever I click on the barcode reader button, it gives an error that says you can only access it through the actual power apps mobile app.

Is there a solution where the barcode reader can be opened directly on teams and not have to go through and download the mobile?

Thank you.

Answer 1

The Power Apps barcode reader control cannot be used directly in Microsoft Teams mobile; this is a documented limitation.

For canvas apps running inside Teams:

1. The Barcode reader control is listed as not supported in Teams Mobile.
2. The error stating that the control can only be accessed through the Power Apps mobile app is expected behavior for apps hosted in Teams.
3. To use the barcode reader on a mobile device, the app must be opened in the Power Apps mobile app, not as an embedded app inside Teams.

There is no supported way today to have the Power Apps barcode reader open and work natively inside the Teams mobile client. The available options are:

• Open the same app directly in Power Apps mobile (outside Teams) to use the barcode reader.
• If the scenario must stay inside Teams mobile, implement an alternative approach that does not rely on the Power Apps barcode reader control (for example, a custom Teams app using the Teams JavaScript scanBarCode API, which is separate from Power Apps).

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References:

• Limitations of controls in canvas apps
• Barcode reader control in Power Apps
• Integrate QR or barcode scanner capability
• TeamsJS capability support across Microsoft 365

Answer 2

Hi Siddhant Kumta

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

From what I’ve found, this behavior appears to be expected when using the Barcode Reader control within Teams. You may want to take a look at the response provided by Q&A Assist above, as it offers some initial information regarding the behavior of the Barcode Reader control in Teams.

Since this forum doesn’t currently have a dedicated tag for Power Platform, I recommend posting future Power Apps-related questions in the Microsoft Power Platform Community Forum Thread. It’s a great space full of helpful, knowledgeable people who are more than willing to walk you through the steps and share their experience. You’ll likely get clearer guidance and the support you need to make this work.     

Thank you for your understanding. 

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