Skip to main content

Safari Browser Extension

The Safari Browser Extension is an alternative to the Scandit Express Keyboard. It allows barcode data to be scanned and injected directly into web applications running inside Safari on iOS devices.

Instead of typing from the Express Keyboard, users can trigger the scanner via a button next to text fields in a webpage. This is especially useful for workflows where scanning should be initiated directly from the application interface.

Installation​

The Safari Browser Extension is bundled with the Scandit Express app as an extension (.appex).

  • When the Scandit Express app is installed, the Safari extension is also installed but must be enabled by the user.

By default, Safari will ask for permission to run the extension on websites and users can choose:

  • Allow Once
  • Always Allow
  • Deny

Once enabled, the extension is visible in the Safari toolbar.

tip

Both the extension icon and the pop-up UI can be customized.

How It Works​

When enabled, the extension automatically adds a Scan button next to input fields in Safari webpages.

  1. The user taps the Scan button next to a text field.
  2. Safari opens a deep link to the Scandit Express app.
  3. The Express scanner is launched, and the scanned barcode is stored in shared storage.
  4. Safari is brought back into focus.
  5. The extension retrieves the scan result and inserts it into the selected input field.

Configuration​

The Safari extension can be configured via the Scandit Dashboard from the General > Browser Extension section.

Safari Extension Dashboard

Default Behavior​

By default, the extension attaches a scan button next to every <input type="text"> field on the page.

Restricting Buttons to Specific Fields​

Developers can limit the scan button to appear only for specific fields by providing CSS selectors.