Barcode scanning - not working on iPhones

[PAuser275]

Hi there, 

I've created an app with the Barcode control. I did a bit of testing on the Surface Pro and it works well with the back camera.

I've tried to open the app on the iPhone and the auto detection rectangle doesn't appear. Tested on iPhone 5S, 6S, and 7. I've also noticed that the camera doesn't adjust its focus.

Any idea where I might be going wrong?

Thanks

[ViStr]

Hi MS!

Do you have plans to fix the issue in this quarter?

Thanks.

[UB400]

i'm still experiencing this issue, I tried the variable "fix" but still no joy. I'm using labels printed on on a laser printer, don't know if that has a bearing on this as well? Could really do with a solution to this issue. 

[JRaasumaa]

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@UB400wrote:

i'm still experiencing this issue, I tried the variable "fix" but still no joy. I'm using labels printed on on a laser printer, don't know if that has a bearing on this as well? Could really do with a solution to this issue. 

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The only other "fix" I've seen to help with scanning is to ensure the camera app is not open on whatever device is being used. Typically I close all running apps then launch the scanning and it has a much higher rate of functioning.

We've actually abandoned the built in camera for scanning and are now just using a bluetooth scanning that simply types the code into the input field for us. It requires a few more user taps but it functions so far 100% of the time.

[Maxwell]

Hi folks,

  I'm sorry to hear that you all are still experiencing this issue. I've read through the thread and tried to collect a list of devices and os versions that are reproducing the issue, but I realize some of that information might be out of date now.

  If you're still experiencing the issue, could you provide me with the following information:

• The device model you're using
• The version of iOS that the device is running
• The version of PowerApps being run

  I started investigating this issue earlier today, but have been unable to reproduce the problem locally. I'm currently using an iPad Mini 3, running iOS 11.1 and PowerApps 2.0.792.

  The app I'm using to test the barcode functionality was created using the following steps: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/scan-barcode

  For test data, I used the following image: https://pwrappscdn.azureedge.net/mediahandler/blog/media/PowerApps/blog/af25a3ce-2e7b-491f-9df9-fa62...

  The app I created was able to recognize and correctly read each of those barcodes, although the Code 128 format was more finnicky than the others. I'd also be interested to know if your apps have any success trying to read the barcodes in the image provided.

[BitLord69]

I run my scanning app on an iPhone 6s and an iPad mini 4, both running iOS 11.2.6 and PowerApps 2.0.792.

The app never scans on start, but after a suggestion in this thread (I think it was here) I have put a button that when pressed does this:

Set(bctType; "");;Set(bctType; BarcodeType.Code39);;Set(bctType; "");;Set(bctType; BarcodeType.Code39)

For some odd reason that resolves it, and I can use the scanner without problems. I haven't treid with other types of bar codes since we're using Code39.

[UB400]

@Maxwell I'm using an iPhone 7 with IOS 11.2.5 (15D60). PowerApps version is 2.0.783

I followed your suggestions, and had intermittent success, it would work sometimes but not consistently (even with the switching Scanning modes hack.

I also added a slider to experiment with Scan rates but that does not help with consistency, it's still pretty much hit or miss. 

[Maxwell]

@UB400, @BitLord69 thanks for the additional information.

After some more research and testing, it looks like the barcode control isn't properly handling its initial barcode type. For instance, if I set my barcode control to have a type of Code39, it won't scan the related barcode.

However, if I change the barcode type and then change it back, it starts to successfully scan.

This is probably what's happening with the code snippet @BitLord69 posted, although the repetition should be unnecessary. I was able to get the barcode scanner working with the following code on a button:

Set(barcodeType, "");Set(barcodeType, Code39)

I also tested with two buttons that each set a different barcode type:

Set(barcodeType,Codabar)

and

Set(barcodeType,Code39)

In this case, my barcode control had its type initially set to Code39. It wouldn't scan anything until I clicked the Codabar button. At that point, it would start scanning Codabar barcodes. After that, if I clicked the Code39 button, it would start scanning Code39 barcodes.

I'm going to reach out to the team responsible for the barcode control and see if they're aware of this issue.

[miglisic]

The Controls team is investigating this and will post an update here in the next day or so. Thank you for the detailed info, Maxwell!

More broadly, we are planning to replace our barcode scanner implementation with one built into the native device players. It will probably be a full-screen experience to acquire a code and return it to the app. We would deprecate the present in-app JS-based implementation after that becomes avalable. Target is early summer.

I hope this helps.

[UB400]

@miglisic Thanks for the response, we look forward to hearing more on this issue, from your response it appears that the only real solution would be to wait for the change that mention for early Summer. I'll be following this closely. Thanks once again, and also thanks to @Maxwell for raising this issue with the Team.

[MrThe]

Has there been any change on this?  Still having the problem.  i found that adinga slider, dropddown or radio button to switch between the types makes it seem a little more function but to get the first scan you need to change the selection.