You’ve set up your barcode scanner, but before you can start using it at checkout, you need to link each of the items in your product catalogue to a barcode.

How to link products to barcodes

There are two ways you can do this, depending on your business needs:

On Yoco Counter or a tablet running (iOS or Android) the Yoco POS App – best for linking barcodes to products that you’ve already created.
In the Yoco App (mobile or web) – best for linking barcodes to products in bulk and for creating a catalogue from scratch.

✨ Only staff members who have the Manage products permission enabled on their staff profile can link products to barcodes.

Link products on your Counter/tablet (one at a time)

Log in to your Yoco Counter, or your tablet running the Yoco POS App.
Tap the Sell tab in the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
Point the barcode scanner at the product barcode – make sure the scanner is roughly 5 cm from the product when scanning small barcodes, and 15–20 cm away when scanning large barcodes.
Tap the Link barcode button.
Search for or select the product from your list that needs to link to the barcode you’ve just scanned.
If the product you’ve selected has variants, select the specific variant you want to link to the barcode.
Tap the Save button.
Scan the next barcode and repeat the steps above to link it to the next product.

Link products in the Yoco App (in bulk)

Log in to the Yoco App (mobile or web).
Tap the Manage tab in the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
Select the Products tile/widget.
Select the Export button in the top right corner to export your product list.
Choose to export your product list as either a CSV or Excel file, then select the Export button.
Once the CSV or Excel file has downloaded to your device, open it and enter the barcode for each product and variant (if applicable) in column W.
Save your changes, then select the Import button in the top right corner to import your product list.
Your products will now be linked to the barcodes you’ve entered.

Link products in the Yoco App (one at a time)

If you want to link your products to barcodes, but you don’t have your barcode scanner with you, you can link the two in your product catalogue as follows:

Log in to the Yoco App (mobile or web).
Tap the Manage tab in the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
Select the Products tile/widget.
Select a product from the list.
When the pop-up screen appears, select the pencil icon to edit the product.
Enter the product barcode in the Barcode field, then select the Save button.
Your product will now be linked to the barcode you’ve entered.

✨ Linked the wrong product to the wrong barcode? No problem.

Log in to the Yoco App (mobile or web).
Select the Manage tab in the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
Select the Products tile/widget.
Select a product from the list.
When the pop-up screen appears, select the pencil icon to edit the product.
Delete the product barcode in the Barcode field and select the Save button.
Rescan the barcode and tap the Link product button in the Yoco POS App.

How to make a sale

With your products now linked to their barcodes, it’s time to make your first sale!

Log in to your Yoco Counter, or your tablet running the Yoco POS App.
Tap the Sell tab in the navigation bar on the left of your screen.
Point the barcode scanner at the product barcode, approximately 5 cm away when scanning small barcodes, and 15–20 cm away when scanning large barcodes.
The product will automatically be added to your sale.

✨ Top tips for successful scanning

Hold the scanner perpendicular to the barcode.
Angle the barcode scanner, if necessary, to avoid reflections.
Check that the barcode is clean and undamaged.
Make sure that you scan in a well-lit area.
Hold the barcode scanner steady when scanning.
Listen for the beep to confirm that the scan has been completed.

🛒 Barcode scanner FAQs

Can I use the Yoco Barcode Scanner with other POS software? The Yoco Barcode Scanner is only compatible with Yoco POS software. It works with Yoco Counter or a tablet (Android or iOS) running the Yoco POS App.

Can I use other barcode scanners with the Yoco POS App? The Yoco POS App currently only supports the Yoco Barcode Scanner.

Can I scan barcodes using my Khumo or Khumo Print? We currently only support the Yoco Barcode Scanner paired with Yoco Counter or a tablet running the Yoco POS App.

How long does the battery last? The barcode scanner goes into sleep mode when it has been inactive for five minutes. It instantly reconnects when the trigger button is pressed. The device comes with a sleek charging dock that keeps it charged when it’s not in use, so you’ll never run out of battery.

I need help generating and printing barcodes. What should I do? Yoco doesn’t currently offer support for generating or printing barcodes. If you’d like to create and print your own, we recommend buying a barcode label printer and using the software that typically comes with it. You can generate barcodes using your product SKUs, then print them as labels to use on your products.

Are barcodes or QR codes better? QR codes can store much more information than traditional barcodes and are generally more reliable when scanning. Most barcode generation software lets you create both barcodes and QR codes. If you have the option, we recommend using QR codes.

What barcodes and QR codes does the barcode scanner support? Please see the table below for a full list of the barcodes and QR codes supported by the Yoco Barcode Scanner.