How do I use QR codes to find items and scan storage locations?

Updated October 26, 2026

Each item and storage location has a unique QR code. Scan it with Flippd to instantly open the item details or see all items in a storage location.

QR Codes for Items

Each item can have a QR code printed on its label. When scanned, it:

• Opens the item details in Flippd
• Shows the current price and status
• Lets you quickly update the item

This is useful for quickly checking prices during pop-up sales or finding an item in your system.

QR Codes for Storage Locations

Storage locations also have QR codes. When scanned:

• You instantly see all items stored in that location
• Great for auditing inventory by location
• Helps when you need to find a specific item fast

Printing a Storage QR Code

Every location already has a QR code -- there's nothing to generate.

1. Go to Tools > Storage locations
2. Open a location's menu and tap Location QR code
3. Print and attach to the shelf, bin, or container

Scanning with the Camera

1. Open the Inventory tab
2. Tap the Scan QR Code or Barcode icon
3. Point your camera at the QR code
4. The item or storage location opens automatically

The same scanner also reads a shopper's My Picks checkout code from your Storefront, so you can review their picks and complete the sale. See What are Storefronts and how do I use them?

Scanning with your phone's Camera app

You can also point your phone's regular Camera app at a Flippd QR code. On iPhone, the code opens straight in the Flippd app when it's installed.

If a code opens in your web browser instead, Flippd on the web asks you to sign in. Sign in with the same email you use in the app. Don't create a new account there: a new account starts empty, so your items and storage locations won't show up in it.

If a QR Code Doesn't Work

QR codes are tied to your item or storage location inside your Flippd account. They don't contain an email address, so a code can't be "linked to the wrong email."

• It opened the website instead of the app: sign in with the email you use in the app, or scan from inside Flippd using the scanner in the Inventory search bar. On iPhone, if the Camera keeps sending codes to the browser, delete and reinstall Flippd once.
• It opened but says the item or location wasn't found: you're probably signed in to a different Flippd account. Sign out and sign back in with the email that owns the item.
• Don't recreate the storage location or reprint labels to fix a scan problem. The code keeps working as long as the location exists. A new location gets a new code, so your old labels would stop matching.

If none of this helps, ask in the help chat and tap Get a person.

Using a Handheld (Hardware) QR Scanner

Prefer a dedicated barcode/QR scanner (like an Eyoyo, Netum, or Zebra handheld) instead of your device camera? Flippd works with these too -- and it works the same way on mobile and web.

Most handheld scanners connect over Bluetooth or USB and act like a keyboard: whatever they scan is "typed" into whichever field is selected. To use one with Flippd:

1. Pair or plug in your scanner and make sure it's in keyboard (HID) mode -- this is the default for most models
2. Open the Inventory tab and tap the search box so it's active
3. Scan an item's or storage location's Flippd QR code
4. Flippd recognizes the code and opens the item (or shows the storage location) automatically -- no camera needed

This lets you keep your phone, tablet, or computer on a stand and scan items hands-free.

What kind of scanner works?

Almost any modern handheld scanner works, as long as:

• It's a 2D imager (reads QR codes) -- older 1D laser scanners only read straight-line barcodes and can't read a QR code
• It's set to keyboard (HID) mode -- some scanners default to a different mode; check the manual for a "keyboard" or "HID" setup barcode
• You tap the search box first so the scan lands in the right place
• Its keyboard layout is set to US/QWERTY -- a mismatched layout can garble the link's : and / characters

A trailing Enter or Tab after each scan (a common scanner setting) is fine and won't cause any problems.

QR Codes vs. Barcodes

Flippd supports both QR codes and barcodes, but they serve different purposes:

• QR codes are generated by Flippd and contain links to items or storage locations. They're used for internal navigation within the app.
• Barcodes are product identifiers printed on items by the manufacturer (UPC, EAN, etc.). They're used to tag items with their original product barcode for identification.

You can use both on the same item -- a QR code on the label for quick access, and a barcode to identify the product.

Good to Know

• QR codes are included automatically when you print labels with the QR option enabled
• Scanning works on the web version too -- use a handheld (USB/Bluetooth) QR scanner into the search box, or your browser's camera where it's supported
• Storage QR codes encode https://app.getflippd.com/storage/{location ID}
• Item QR codes encode https://app.getflippd.com/inventory/{stockNumber}
• Printed codes never change format, so labels you printed in the past keep working

Related Articles

• How do I create and print labels for my items?
• How do I set up and use storage locations?
• How do I use barcodes to tag and find inventory items?
• What are Storefronts and how do I use them?