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Getting started with WiScanner

You can set up barcode scanning with WiScanner and stream data to your computer in just a few steps. This guide covers the basics for first-time users.

Requirements

  • Phone: An iOS or Android device with the WiScanner app installed.
  • Computer: A Windows PC or Mac with the WiScanner desktop client installed.
  • Network: Phone and computer must be on the same local Wi‑Fi network. Internet access is not required for scanning to the computer.

First-time setup

  1. Install the WiScanner app on your phone from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Download and run the WiScanner desktop client for Windows or Mac (use the download links on the home page).
  3. Open the desktop client. It shows a QR code and the computer's IP address and port (default 8099).
  4. On your phone, open Settings > Server and use QR Code Pair to scan that QR code, or Add Manually to enter the IP address and port.
  5. Click into the field that should receive the data on your computer (for example an Excel cell or a text box) and start scanning. Each barcode is typed at the cursor.

Next steps

Use the left menu for Setup on Windows or Setup on Mac, Creating and using groups to organize scans, Export to send a group as CSV or to Google Drive, FTP or a webhook, and Settings for pairing, scan behavior and integrations.

Setup on Mac

WiScanner has a desktop client for macOS. It receives barcodes from your phone over the local network and types them into the application that is currently focused on your Mac – Excel, Numbers, a browser-based ERP or any other field that accepts keyboard input.

Install and pair

  1. Install WiScanner on your phone (App Store or Google Play).
  2. Download the Mac client: WiScannerMac.zip. Unzip it, open the app and leave it running in the background.
  3. Connect the phone and the Mac to the same Wi‑Fi network. Avoid guest networks that isolate devices from each other.
  4. Pair once: on the phone go to Settings > Server and scan the QR code shown by the Mac app (QR Code Pair), or enter the Mac's IP address and port with Add Manually.
  5. Click into the field on your Mac that should receive the code, then scan with the phone. The value appears at the cursor.

Useful settings

  • Suffix – add Enter or Tab after each scan to move to the next row or column.
  • Prefix and RegEx – shape or validate the value before it is typed.
  • Sound and Vibrate – confirm each read on the phone without looking at the screen.

If the phone cannot connect, check that both devices are on the same network and that the IP address and port match the ones shown in the Mac client. See Use your phone as a barcode scanner for Mac apps for workflow examples.

Creating and using groups – Overview

Groups let you organize scans by type and destination. Use the menu on the left to open the detailed guide for each scan type.

Scan types

  • Single Scan – One barcode per tap. You press Scan Barcode each time.
  • Multi Scan – Multiple barcodes in a row without pressing the button between scans.
  • Quantity Scan – One barcode plus a quantity per entry. Multi Scan cannot be enabled for this type.
  • Dynamic Scan – A scan type whose group can carry its own Prefix, Suffix and RegEx options; when set, they take priority over the global scan settings.

For step-by-step instructions and screenshots, select Single Scan, Multi Scan, Quantity Scan, or Dynamic Scan from the menu.