Connecting Socket Mobile scanners in Application Mode for Android 8+

The problem

If you or your customers are experiencing difficulties connecting Socket Mobile scanners in Application Mode on your Android 8 devices, your app may be affected by one of the Android system changes. Starting from Android Oreo (version 8+), Android apps can no longer obtain a device’s Bluetooth address programmatically. Users will not be able to copy/paste the Bluetooth address either. 

For most Socket Mobile scanners on the market, obtaining Android device’s Bluetooth address has been a critical step to pair with the devices in Application Mode, done automatically through Socket Mobile SDK. The change in Android 8 forces us to require users take action to get Android device’s Bluetooth address. 

 

Please NOTE:

This issue will only happen if

  1. You are connecting a device in Application Mode. 
    The scanners will work as usual if you are using it in HID Mode (the default mode).
  2. You are installing the apps on Android Oreo or newer Android versions. 
    There should be NO issue if Socket Mobile Companion have been installed on Android Nougat or older and you are upgrading to Oreo

 

The solution

We’ve been working on this issue for a long time. Even though our attempt to work with Google for a better solution didn’t yield any result, we’ve had solutions for both new customers and customers with existing devices. 

For customers who are planning to purchase new scanners:

Our latest models and future models have or will have built-in Auto Connect capability(ACC) that will not only solve the Application Mode pairing problem for Android 8, but also significantly simplify the process.  Here’s the list of the devices we ship that already have the capability:

  • SocketScan S700
  • SocketScan S730
  • SocketScan S740
  • DuraScan D760
  • SocketScan S840
  • SocketScan S860
  • SocketScan S800 (revision number P or after) 
  • SocketScan S850 (revision number D or after)
  • DuraScan D750 (revision number D or after)
  • DuraScan D730 (revision number J or after)
  • DuraScan D700 (revision number G or after)
  • DuraScan D740 (revision number C or after)

Where do I find the revision number? 

revisionNumberLeft

 

revisionNumberRight

With the ACC scanners listed above, you have two options to pair the scanner in Application Mode

  • Option 2: Scan the following Auto Connect barcode and then pair in system Bluetooth Settings: 

    autoconnect

You can also find this barcode in the Get Started guide in your scanner package.

For customers who continue to use older scanner models:

  1. Connect your scanner in Application Mode following the instructions in the latest  Socket Mobile Companion app.

    The app will guide you to get the Android device’s Bluetooth address. You only need to do this once. 

  2. Launch your business app where you need to connect to the scanner

    If you are using SocketScan 10 keyboard, we strongly recommend you switch to the new Socket Mobile SM Keyboard, as the SocketScan app is not compatible with Socket Mobile Companion and will cause scanner connection issues when running side by side. 

 

Test devices and promotions

From time to time, we have devices for our developers to test. Please send your inquiries to developers@socketmobile.com. 

We may be able to offer discount if you want to upgrade your scanners to the new scanners. Click here to request your coupon code.