How Your Scanner Connects
Access requirements. Anyone signed in to the register can open the scanner settings. No PIN is needed.
Your scanner needs to be in SNAPI mode. SNAPI is the setup mode that lets the Scotch app talk to your Zebra scanner directly. In any other mode, the scanner may act like a keyboard and type barcodes into whatever box is selected instead of adding items to the sale.
The register doesn't warn you when the scanner disconnects. There's no pop-up or alert. The usual signs are that scans stop adding items, or the scanner is missing from the "Hardware" screen.
Unplugging and plugging back in usually fixes it. The app reconnects to the scanner by itself when it's plugged back in.
A factory reset clears the scanner's settings. It also takes the scanner out of SNAPI mode, so always scan the SNAPI barcode right after a factory reset.
Important: Don't tap "Remove" next to your scanner on the "Hardware" screen to fix a connection problem. It disconnects the scanner from the app until you unplug it and plug it back in, or restart the app.
Checking Your Scanner's Connection
Step 1
On the register, tap the gear icon in the left-hand menu to open Settings, then tap "Hardware." You'll see the "Connected hardware" screen.
Step 2
Look under "Scanners." If your scanner isn't listed, it isn't connected. Skip to "Reconnecting Your Scanner."
Step 3
If your scanner is listed, tap its name to open "Zebra Scanner Details."
Step 4
Check two rows on the left:
"Connected" should say "true."
"Scan Mode" should say "SNAPI."
If "Connected" says "false," unplug the scanner and plug it back in (see "Reconnecting Your Scanner"). If "Scan Mode" says anything else, you'll also see "⚠️ This scanner is not configured in SNAPI mode. Please scan the barcode above to switch to SNAPI mode for full functionality." Go to "Switching to SNAPI Mode."
Step 5
To test the scanner, scan any product barcode while this screen is open. The barcode's number appears under "Barcode Scan Result" on the right, in place of "null." Scans on this screen don't ring anything up. If nothing shows up, go to "Reconnecting Your Scanner."
This screen doesn't refresh by itself. To check it again later, tap "Hardware," then tap your scanner's name.
Reconnecting Your Scanner
Step 6
Unplug the scanner's USB cable from the register's hub. If you have a cordless scanner, unplug the cradle's USB cable instead.
Step 7
Wait about 5 seconds, then plug it back into the hub.
Step 8
Go back to the "Hardware" tab and check that your scanner appears under "Scanners." Then scan an item on the sales screen to make sure it rings up.
Step 9
If the scanner still doesn't appear, close the Scotch app completely, then open it again.
If that doesn't work either, factory reset the scanner (see "Factory Resetting Your Scanner").
Switching to SNAPI Mode
Use this when "Scan Mode" doesn't say "SNAPI," or when scanning types numbers into a text box instead of adding the item to the sale.
Step 10
If you have a cordless scanner, place it in its cradle first.
Step 11
Scan this barcode. It's also shown on the "Zebra Scanner Details" screen.
Step 12
The scanner beeps and may briefly disconnect while it switches modes. Give it a few seconds, then tap "Hardware," tap your scanner's name again, and check that "Scan Mode" says "SNAPI."
Factory Resetting Your Scanner
Use this when unplugging and switching to SNAPI mode haven't fixed the problem, or when the scanner is behaving strangely, like reading barcodes wrong or not beeping.
Important: A factory reset erases any custom settings on the scanner, like the UPC-A settings or beep volume your store may have set during installation. Scan them again afterward from the "Zebra Scanner Details" screen.
Step 13
If you have a cordless scanner, place it in its cradle first.
Step 14
Scan this factory reset barcode. It's also at the bottom of the "Zebra Scanner Details" screen, under "Factory Reset."
Step 15
You should hear a beep. Wait for the scanner's light to turn green.
Step 16
Scan the SNAPI mode barcode right away (see Step 11). The factory reset takes the scanner out of SNAPI mode, so it won't work with Scotch until you do.
Step 17
If the scanner now beeps twice on each scan, restart the Scotch app. That turns the scanner's extra beep off again.
Tap "Hardware," then tap your scanner's name. "Connected" should say "true" and "Scan Mode" should say "SNAPI." Then scan an item on the sales screen to make sure it rings up.
Setting Up the Scanner Again from the App
The app can also walk you through both barcodes, which is handy for a new or replacement scanner.
Step 18
On the "Hardware" tab, tap "+ Add Zebra Device" in the top right.
Step 19
In the "Adding Zebra Device" window, follow the instructions for your scanner. For a "Wired scanner," connect it to the hub via USB. For a "Wireless scanner," place it in the cradle, then connect the cradle to the hub via USB. Tap "Next."
Step 20
Under "Read the barcode below to reset the Scanner," scan the barcode. When you hear a beep and the light turns green, tap "Next."
[SUGGEST ADDING SCREENSHOT HERE]
Step 21
Under "Read the barcode below to pair your scanner," scan the barcode. The button is grayed out and says "Waiting for the Scanner" until the app sees a scanner. When you see "Scanner added successfully," tap "OK."
Step 22
Tap your scanner's name under "Scanners" and check that "Scan Mode" says "SNAPI." The success message only means the app sees a scanner, not that it's in SNAPI mode. If a scanner was already plugged in, the message can even appear before you scan the SNAPI barcode.
What It Looks Like at the Register
When a scan works, the scanner gives a short, high beep and the item is added to the sale.
When a scan doesn't add an item, the scanner makes a fast warbling sound. If the barcode isn't in your catalog, the register also shows "No item found for barcode." The scanner is working fine; the item just needs to be added to your catalog. If the barcode matches more than one item, you'll be asked to pick the right one.
If the first item you scan in a new sale is the same as the last item from the previous sale, you may see "Repeat scan ignored — please scan the item again." This stops an old scan from being added by accident. Scan it again and it will ring up.
If the scanner beeps on every scan, even for items that aren't found, it's probably not in SNAPI mode. If it just had a factory reset, restart the Scotch app.
Troubleshooting
"Scanner added successfully" appeared, but scans still don't work: Check "Scan Mode" on "Zebra Scanner Details." If it isn't "SNAPI," scan the SNAPI barcode (see Step 11).
Scans type numbers into a search box or other field instead of adding the item: The scanner isn't in SNAPI mode. Scan the SNAPI barcode (see Step 11).
The scanner beeps but nothing happens on the register: Check "Zebra Scanner Details." If "Scan Mode" isn't "SNAPI," switch it. If the scanner isn't listed at all, unplug it and plug it back in.
The scanner was working, then stopped mid-shift: Unplug it, wait 5 seconds, and plug it back in. If it still doesn't ring items up, restart the Scotch app.
The scanner doesn't appear under "Scanners" at all: Make sure the USB cable is firmly plugged into the register's hub, not just into the scanner. For a cordless scanner, check that the cradle is plugged in and the scanner is seated in it.
"Remove" was tapped by mistake: Unplug the scanner and plug it back in, or restart the Scotch app.
Barcodes scan with an extra or missing digit: Your scanner's UPC-A settings may have changed, often after a factory reset. Scan the right "UPC-A Preamble" and "UPC-A Check Digit" options on the "Zebra Scanner Details" screen. Contact Scotch support if you're not sure which ones your store uses.
The scanner reads slowly or misses barcodes: Try a faster setting under "Polling Intervals" on the "Zebra Scanner Details" screen.
Nothing works after a factory reset and SNAPI mode: Contact Scotch support.