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Setting Up a Socket Scanner

Cashier Manager

Use this page when a Socket Mobile Bluetooth scanner beeps but nothing shows up on the register. This is common with scanners that were set up for another POS, such as Cova.

Quick steps​

  1. Forget the scanner in your tablet or computer's Bluetooth settings.
  2. Find your model's "Basic Mode (HID)" setup barcode. It's in the scanner's printed quick-start guide, or on Socket Mobile's website: search for your model (for example "S740") plus "command barcodes".
  3. Scan that setup barcode with the scanner. It may beep and turn itself off. Turn it back on.
  4. Pair the scanner again in your device's Bluetooth settings.
  5. Test it. In the register, open Settings, tap Test scanner and scan any barcode. If the code shows up, you're done.

Common questions​

Why did it work with Cova but not here? Socket scanners have two modes. In app mode the scanner talks only to apps built with Socket's own software, which Cova used. In keyboard mode (Socket calls it "Basic Mode" or "HID") the scanner types each code like a keyboard, which is what Brother POS reads. Switching the mode is a one-time job.

How do I know which mode it's in? Open the Notes app (or any app where you can type) and scan a barcode. If the numbers appear, the scanner is in keyboard mode. If it beeps and nothing appears, it's still in app mode.

The on-screen keyboard disappeared on my Android tablet. A keyboard-mode scanner counts as a physical keyboard, so Android hides the on-screen one. To get it back, go to the tablet's Settings > System > Languages & input > Physical keyboard and turn on Show virtual keyboard (the exact names vary a little between tablets). In the Brother POS app you can also turn on Show on-screen keyboard (for Bluetooth scanner mode) under Settings > Display Settings on the register.

Do I need to install Socket's Companion app? No. Keyboard mode needs nothing extra on the tablet. You only pair the scanner in Bluetooth settings.

It still doesn't work after switching modes. Charge the scanner and check it's paired with this device and not another one nearby. Then run Test scanner again. See Scanner Issues for other things to check.

More detail: what the register needs from any scanner

Brother POS works with any scanner that types codes like a keyboard. It ends each code with Enter, Tab or nothing; all three work. Product codes must be at least 8 characters long. You don't need to tap the search box before scanning. See Barcode Scanner for how scanning works on the register.

The Test scanner button in the register's Settings shows exactly what the scanner sent. If nothing arrives within a few seconds, it tells you so and links back to this page.

What's Next?​