Barcode scanners are useful — but dedicated hardware scanners can cost between ₦15,000 and ₦80,000 depending on quality. If you're just getting started or looking to save money, there's a better option.
PosWolf lets you use any smartphone as a wireless barcode scanner — for free. Here's exactly how it works and how to set it up.
What you need
- A PC running PosWolf in Server mode
- A smartphone (Android or iPhone, any recent model)
- Both devices on the same WiFi network
That's it. No app to install. No cable. No extra hardware to buy.
How it works
When PosWolf is running in Server mode, it hosts a small web page on your local network. You open that page on your phone browser, it activates your phone camera, and any barcode you scan is sent directly to the cart on the POS screen — instantly.
It feels like magic the first time you see it.
Step-by-step setup
Step 1: Set PosWolf to Server mode
Open PosWolf on your PC. Go to Settings → Network and select Server. Click Save. When prompted to restart, click Yes.
After restarting, go back to Settings → Network and you'll see your server's local IP address.
Step 2: Open Windows Firewall (one-time setup)
On your PC, open PowerShell as Administrator and run these two commands:
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "PosWolf API" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 5150 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "PosWolf Discovery" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5151 -Action Allow
This only needs to be done once.
Step 3: Connect your phone
On your PC, open PosWolf → New Sale and tap the 📱 Phone Scanner button. A QR code appears on screen.
Open your phone camera, point it at the QR code, and tap the link that appears. Your phone browser opens the scanner page automatically — no need to type anything.
Step 4: Allow camera access
Your browser will ask for permission to use your camera. Tap Allow.
You may also see a security warning the first time because the connection uses a self-signed certificate. Tap Advanced → Proceed (on Android) or Show Details → Visit Site (on iPhone). This is normal and safe — it's your own local network.
Step 5: Start scanning
Point your phone camera at any product barcode. The moment it recognises the code, the product is added to the cart on the PC — with no button press needed.
Tips for best results
Good lighting matters. Camera scanners work best in well-lit environments. If your shop is dim, hold the phone closer to the barcode or turn on your phone torch.
Bookmark the scanner page. Once you've connected, bookmark the scanner URL in your phone browser. Next time you just open the bookmark — the QR code step isn't needed again.
Add to Home Screen. On Android, tap the browser menu → Add to Home Screen. This makes the scanner feel like a proper app with one-tap access.
Keep the PC and phone on the same WiFi. If you switch WiFi networks or use mobile data, the scanner won't be able to reach the PC.
What barcodes can it scan?
PosWolf's phone scanner uses your phone's built-in camera, which can read all common barcode formats: Code 128, Code 39, EAN-13, UPC-A, and QR codes.
If a product doesn't have a barcode, you can assign any code as its SKU in PosWolf and print a label with that code using a cheap thermal label printer.
Sample barcodes to test with
Not sure what to scan? Download our free barcode sheet from the Downloads page. It has 12 ready-to-use Code 128 barcodes linked to the sample products in our CSV file — perfect for testing your scanner setup before going live.
Using your phone as a scanner saves you money on hardware and gives you a flexible, wireless checkout experience. Give it a try today — it takes less than 5 minutes to set up.