Can I make Shopify POS work with a third-party scanner in SPP mode?

Retail & Point of Sale
1

Background: I am sick of the problems with my overpriced Shopify-approved barcode scanner. It can’t be configured to read both regular barcodes, Bookland ISBNs with currency digit, and Bookend ISBNs without the currency digit. It’s also far more expensive than better scanners. Now, despite the scanner being in SPP mode, the software keyboard on my iPad often disappears.

I have had much better luck with Tera barcode scanners, so I would like to use one with Shopify POS on iPad.

However, Shopify has limited Shopify POS app to only recognize their approved brand of barcode scanners in SPP (app) mode.

Has anyone found a way to pair a third-party Bluetooth barcode scanner with the Shopify POS App on iPad, using SPP mode?

(I do not want solutions using HID mode, as that doesn’t let us scan directly to the cart. I do not want solutions requiring a paid third-party app.)

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Steps to reproduce that I have tried so far, on two iOS devices:

Add to Shopify POS as SPP device:

  • In Shopify POS, go to More > Set up another Device > Barcode Scanner

  • Make sure scanner is in SPP mode

  • Turn on Pairing Mode by scanning barcode in app: Hear three beeps as expected, click Next

  • View available devices: No devices come up in Select an Accessory

  • Also tried putting scanner into Bluetooth pairing mode manually (still doesn’t show in Select an Accessory)

Add Device to iOS Bluetooth in SPP mode:

  • Put scanner into SPP mode

  • Go into iOS Bluetooth settings

  • Add Scanner showing SPP mode

  • iOS says “Pairing Unsuccessful”

Pair in HID Mode:

  • Put device in HID mode
  • Pair with iOS Bluetooth successfully
  • Can only scan into text fields (no Scan to Cart)
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@Shopify_77 Can you give any information on this, aside from “Not supported”?

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