Please note - our standard web app now includes a mobile-friendly Scan Tickets page that can utilize your device's camera to scan barcodes. This includes Android phones.More info HERE. |
Summary
- This article reviews how to scan Arts People barcodes with an Android mobile device, micro USB cable or USB-C adapter, and a barcode scanner.
- While this article explains how to use these barcode scanners with an Android mobile device, they work perfectly well when connected via USB cable to a PC or MAC desktop or laptop computer.
- The barcode scanners in this article scan barcodes presented on paper tickets only. If you're interested in a barcode scanner that scans barcodes on mobile devices as well as barcodes on paper tickets, please read over the Saveo Pocket Scan article (link below). Or check out the barcode scanning app for iOS, link below.
- This is a wired solution that works with a USB cable on Android devices only. One option is the Saveo Pocket Scan.
- This article isn't a recommendation to purchase a smartphone/device for scanning - it's intended as a scanning recommendation if you already have an Android device.
- iOS: For barcode scanning with your iOS device acting as the scanner via its camera the Arts People barcode scanning app for iOS has been developed. The Arts People scanning app for iOS is available on the App store for free.
1. Get a micro USB cable or USB C adapter
- The cable/adapter will allow your device to connect to the barcode scanner via the charging port on your device and the barcode scanner's USB cable or USB dongle.
- Which cable/adapter you get depends on whether your Android uses a micro USB cable or the newer USB-C cable for charging - more information below.
Micro USB:
The Besgoods micro usb cable (full name below) tested successfully with Android. Available for sale on Amazon here. Pricing about $5 USD.
Besgoods Micro USB 2.0 OTG Cable On The Go Adapter Cable Male Micro USB to Female USB for Samsung s7 s6 edge s5/note 5, Android, Sony, Nokia, HTC or Tablets with OTG Function 6Inch Black
USB-C:
This USB-C adapter (full name below) tested successfully with an Android. Available at Amazon here for about $6 USD.
USB C OTG Cable USB C USB Adapter, Tanbin Male Type C to Female USB 3.0 A Adapter for Samsung S8 Plus, Google Pixel, Nexus 5 X 6P, Macbook, LG V20 G5 G6, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, Oneplus 3 and More
2. Get a barcode scanner
The scanners below work with Android devices with a micro USB cable or USB C adapter. These aren't 1D barcode scanners and so can only scan barcodes on paper tickets - not barcodes on tickets displayed on mobile devices.
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Inatek Wireless USB barcode scanner (full name below) - pricing on Amazon here at about $68 USD.
Inateck 2.4GHz Wireless USB Automatic Barcode Scanner Handheld Barcode Reader (2.4GHz Wireless & USB2.0 Wired) USB Rechargeable Barcode Hand Scanner -
TEEMI Wireless USB barcode scanner (full name below) pricing on Amazon here at about $40 USD.
TEEMI 2.4GHZ Wireless USB Automatic laser barcode scanner (2.4G Wireless + USB 2.0 wired), Rechargeable Handheld Bar-code Reader, Plug and Play, Easy to use -
Honeywell Wired 1200g barcode scanner (full name below) available on Amazon here for about $80 USD. This barcode scanner is reliable and scans easily in our testing - it uses a USB cord.
Voyager General Duty Single-Line Wired Handheld Barcode Scanner (1200g)
3. Scan tickets
A. Setup Arts People for scanning on your device
- Via Google Chrome, login to your Arts People account and navigate to Box office Scan Tickets.
- Select the performance you'll scan tickets for.
- Place your cursor into the Barcode field.
- You won't need to put the cursor back into the barcode field between scans. You can just scan continuously from ticket to ticket.
B. Connect your Android device to the barcode scanner
- Plug the Micro USB cable or USB C adapter into your device's charging port then
- Plug the barcode scanner's USB cable or USB dongle into the Micro USB cable or USB C adapter
C. Scan the ticket with the barcode scanner
When the scan completes the scanner will beep - look at the Scan Tickets page's display on your Android device - the page will show you whether the ticket scanned is valid or invalid.
D. Unplug the Micro USB/USB-C cable
The scanner takes over your device's keyboard, so you'll need to unplug it if you need to access the keyboard to input text into your system (for selling tickets, etc).
Let your client services representative know if issues or questions come up as you follow these instructions for barcode scanning with your Android.
Other notes
Arts People doesn't take responsibility for the scanners suggested in this article working with your devices and/or your check-in process at the door. Keep your receipts if you should need to return the scanner(s) you purchased.
Thanks for reading!