react-native-data-scanner

Fast one-shot QR/Barcode scanning for React Native powered by Nitro Modules and platform-native scanner UIs.

• On Android, Google's Code Scanner scans QR/Barcodes via a Google Play Services Activity, which does not even require Camera Permission.
• On iOS, VisionKit scans QR/Barcodes via a platform-native DataScannerViewController

Usage

1. Install the package

npm install react-native-data-scanner react-native-nitro-modules

2. Configure Camera Usage (iOS only)

Choose the setup that matches your app:

Expo

Add NSCameraUsageDescription to your Expo app config (e.g. app.json):

{
  "expo": {
    "ios": {
      "infoPlist": {
        "NSCameraUsageDescription": "Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to scan barcodes with the camera."
      }
    }
  }
}

This library contains native code, so Expo apps need a development build or production build. It does not run inside Expo Go. Rebuild the native app after changing native config, for example with npx expo run:ios or EAS Build.

Bare React Native

Add NSCameraUsageDescription to your app's Info.plist:

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Scan barcodes.</string>

Android does not require additional setup.

3. Scan a barcode

import { DataScanner } from 'react-native-data-scanner'

async function scanBarcode() {
  const barcode = await DataScanner.scanBarcode({
    targetFormats: ['qr', 'ean-13'],
    enableAutoZoom: true,
  })

  console.log(barcode.format, barcode.value)
}

That's it. Calling scanBarcode(...) presents the native scanner UI and resolves with the scanned barcode.

UI Demo

API

DataScanner.scanBarcode(options?)

Presents the scanner UI and resolves with the first barcode the user selects.

• targetFormats: optional non-empty array of barcode formats. Omit it to scan all supported formats.
• qualityLevel: quality/performance preference. Defaults to 'balanced'.
• enableHighFrameRateTracking: high-frame-rate geometry tracking preference. Defaults to false.
• enableAutoZoom: automatic zoom preference for distant barcodes. Defaults to false.

The promise rejects when scanning is unavailable, the user cancels, another scan is already active, or the scanned barcode does not contain a decoded string value.

Android

Uses Google ML Kit's Google code scanner through Google Play services. The library requests install-time download of the barcode_ui optional module through its Android manifest.

Advanced Use Cases

For advanced use cases or an in-app <Camera> view, consider using VisionCamera, a fully featured Camera library.