How to Create a MAUI Barcode Scanner Using IronBarcode

Modern mobile applications increasingly rely on barcode scanning for inventory management, point-of-sale systems, and product tracking. Building a MAUI barcode scanner allows you to integrate barcode detection directly into your .NET MAUI application, combining a camera feed with image file processing to detect QR codes, Data Matrix, and other barcode formats. While many libraries focus on camera preview, IronBarcode excels at accurately reading barcodes and scanning them even under challenging conditions.

In this guide, I'll be showing you how to implement barcode scanning functionality in a .NET MAUI project using IronBarcode. By the end of it, you'll be able to scan multiple barcodes in one image file or from a device's camera, read data from any given barcode, and use IronBarcode in your own MAUI projects confidently.

What are the prerequisites for building an MAUI barcode scanner?

Before starting, ensure you have Visual Studio Code or Visual Studio 2022 installed, along with the .NET MAUI workload, and possess basic knowledge of C#. You’ll also need the .NET 8 SDK for optimal performance and support for cross-platform applications.

How do I set up a MAUI barcode scanning project?

Create a new .NET MAUI App project in Visual Studio 2022. Name it "BarcodeScannerApp" and select .NET 8 as the target framework.

Install IronBarcode through the NuGet Package Manager Console:

Install-Package BarCode

This installs a .NET library with support for multiple barcode formats, including QR code, Code 128, and Data Matrix. IronBarcode works offline and handles natively unsupported inverted barcodes, ensuring continuous scanning and better scanning consistency.

To activate IronBarcode, obtain a free trial license and add it to your code:

License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";

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How do I configure camera permissions for Android and iOS?

Platform-specific camera permissions are essential for barcode scanning functionality. Each platform requires specific configuration in its manifest files.

For Android, edit Platforms/Android/AndroidManifest.xml:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" />

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CAMERA" />
<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.camera" />

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These permissions enable camera access and declare the usage of camera hardware, ensuring your app can capture barcode images on Android devices.

For iOS, modify Platforms/iOS/Info.plist:

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app requires camera access to scan barcodes</string>

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>This app requires camera access to scan barcodes</string>

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This configuration provides the required privacy description that iOS displays when requesting camera permission from users.

How do I create the barcode scanner interface?

Design a simple, user-friendly interface in MainPage.xaml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="BarcodeScannerApp.MainPage">
    <VerticalStackLayout Padding="20" Spacing="20">
        <Label Text="Barcode Scanner" 
               FontSize="24" 
               HorizontalOptions="Center" />
        <Image x:Name="CapturedImage" 
               HeightRequest="300"
               Aspect="AspectFit" />
        <Label x:Name="ResultLabel" 
               Text="Tap button to scan"
               HorizontalOptions="Center" />
        <Button Text="Scan Barcode" 
                Clicked="OnScanClicked"
                BackgroundColor="#007ACC"
                TextColor="White" />
    </VerticalStackLayout>
</ContentPage>

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ContentPage xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/dotnet/2021/maui"
             xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2009/xaml"
             x:Class="BarcodeScannerApp.MainPage">
    <VerticalStackLayout Padding="20" Spacing="20">
        <Label Text="Barcode Scanner" 
               FontSize="24" 
               HorizontalOptions="Center" />
        <Image x:Name="CapturedImage" 
               HeightRequest="300"
               Aspect="AspectFit" />
        <Label x:Name="ResultLabel" 
               Text="Tap button to scan"
               HorizontalOptions="Center" />
        <Button Text="Scan Barcode" 
                Clicked="OnScanClicked"
                BackgroundColor="#007ACC"
                TextColor="White" />
    </VerticalStackLayout>
</ContentPage>

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This layout creates a clean interface featuring an image preview area, a result display label, and a scan button. The VerticalStackLayout provides consistent spacing and padding for a professional appearance.

How do I implement the barcode reader functionality?

Implement the scanning logic in MainPage.xaml.cs using IronBarcode's image processing capabilities:

using IronBarCode;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;
namespace BarcodeScannerApp;
public partial class MainPage : ContentPage
{
    public MainPage()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";
    }
    private async void OnScanClicked(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        try
        {
            // Capture photo using device camera
            var photo = await MediaPicker.Default.CapturePhotoAsync();
            if (photo == null) return;
            // Convert photo to byte array
            using var stream = await photo.OpenReadAsync();
            using var memoryStream = new MemoryStream();
            await stream.CopyToAsync(memoryStream);
            var imageBytes = memoryStream.ToArray();
            // Display captured image
            CapturedImage.Source = ImageSource.FromStream(() => 
                new MemoryStream(imageBytes));
            // Process with IronBarcode
            var bitmap = AnyBitmap.FromBytes(imageBytes);
            var results = await BarcodeReader.ReadAsync(bitmap);
            // Display results
            if (results.Any())
            {
                var barcodeValue = results.First().Value;
                ResultLabel.Text = $"Scanned: {barcodeValue}";
            }
            else
            {
                ResultLabel.Text = "No barcode detected";
            }
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            await DisplayAlert("Error", 
                $"Scanning failed: {ex.Message}", "OK");
        }
    }
}

using IronBarCode;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;
namespace BarcodeScannerApp;
public partial class MainPage : ContentPage
{
    public MainPage()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
        License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";
    }
    private async void OnScanClicked(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        try
        {
            // Capture photo using device camera
            var photo = await MediaPicker.Default.CapturePhotoAsync();
            if (photo == null) return;
            // Convert photo to byte array
            using var stream = await photo.OpenReadAsync();
            using var memoryStream = new MemoryStream();
            await stream.CopyToAsync(memoryStream);
            var imageBytes = memoryStream.ToArray();
            // Display captured image
            CapturedImage.Source = ImageSource.FromStream(() => 
                new MemoryStream(imageBytes));
            // Process with IronBarcode
            var bitmap = AnyBitmap.FromBytes(imageBytes);
            var results = await BarcodeReader.ReadAsync(bitmap);
            // Display results
            if (results.Any())
            {
                var barcodeValue = results.First().Value;
                ResultLabel.Text = $"Scanned: {barcodeValue}";
            }
            else
            {
                ResultLabel.Text = "No barcode detected";
            }
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            await DisplayAlert("Error", 
                $"Scanning failed: {ex.Message}", "OK");
        }
    }
}

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This implementation captures an image through MediaPicker, converts it to a byte array for processing, and uses IronBarcode's BarcodeReader.ReadAsync method for detection. The AnyBitmap.FromBytes method handles various image formats automatically. Error handling ensures graceful failure recovery with user-friendly messages.

With this code, we can scan this barcode:

And you should be able to see the barcode's data displayed on the screen:

What advanced features does IronBarcode offer?

IronBarcode provides several advanced features that enhance scanning reliability. The library's machine learning algorithms automatically adjust confidence thresholds, improving accuracy with challenging barcodes. Image correction filters handle rotated, skewed, or poorly lit barcodes without additional configuration.

For specific scanning requirements, customize the reader options:

var options = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.QRCode | BarcodeEncoding.Code128
};
var results = await BarcodeReader.ReadAsync(bitmap, opcanbvations);

var options = new BarcodeReaderOptions
{
    Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced,
    ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true,
    ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.QRCode | BarcodeEncoding.Code128
};
var results = await BarcodeReader.ReadAsync(bitmap, opcanbvations);

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This configuration optimizes scanning for specific barcode types and enables multiple barcode detection in a single image, reducing processing time while maintaining accuracy.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

Even with a robust MAUI barcode scanner setup, issues can occasionally arise due to device settings, image quality, or platform-specific constraints. The following tips address the most common problems encountered when implementing barcode scanning functionality in a .NET MAUI application:

• Camera not opening: Ensure the following permissions are correctly set in the manifest node and redeploy the app. Also, check for supported multi-camera setups if you are testing on devices with multiple cameras or custom camera configurations.
• Poor scan results: Adjust image resolution or lighting, or apply transformations to the barcode. Additionally, enabling continuous scanning and increasing the Speed option in BarcodeReaderOptions can improve scanning consistency.
• Memory issues: Dispose of image streams properly using using statements. This ensures your barcode scanning functionality remains responsive and prevents unexpected crashes or slowdowns on Android devices or Microsoft Windows machines.
• iOS issues: Confirm Info.plist includes proper QR code bindable properties. Testing on both iPhone and iPad devices is recommended to ensure consistent barcode scanning functionality across iOS devices.

Conclusion

IronBarcode transforms MAUI barcode scanning with its robust image processing engine and machine learning capabilities. Unlike real-time camera preview libraries, IronBarcode's approach ensures reliable scanning even in challenging conditions. The library's offline functionality and extensive format support make it ideal for enterprise applications. Now, you will be able to confidently take what we taught you today to create your own .NET MAUI barcode scanner. Looking to learn more? Be sure to read IronBarcodes' extensive documentation.

Start developing with a free trial for production deployment. IronBarcode's combination of accuracy, ease of implementation, and comprehensive features makes it the optimal choice for MAUI barcode scanning applications.