How to scan a food barcode with your iPhone
Every packaged food and most cosmetics carry a barcode — a UPC on U.S. products, an EAN almost everywhere else. Scanning it is the fastest way to look a product up: no typing, no guessing at names.
Scan a product
- Open Novaz and go to the Scan tab.
- Allow camera access the first time you're asked.
- Hold the barcode inside the frame, about 4–8 inches from the camera. Your iPhone buzzes when it reads the code.
- The product's score, color and the reasons behind it appear on screen. Tap the card to open the full product page.
If the barcode won't scan
- Make sure the barcode is flat and well lit — curved bottles and glossy wrappers reflect light.
- Move the phone back a little; holding it too close is the most common cause.
- Wipe the camera lens.
- Type the number printed under the barcode instead — the lookup works exactly the same way.
FAQ
- Which barcodes does it read?
- The standard retail barcodes on groceries and cosmetics: UPC-A and UPC-E, used in the U.S. and Canada, and EAN-13 and EAN-8, used worldwide.
- Can I scan a QR code with it?
- No — Novaz reads product barcodes, not QR codes. A QR code on a package usually links to a website rather than identifying the product.
Scan it before you buy it
Novaz: Food & Cosmetic Scanner scores food and cosmetics from 0 to 100, shows why, and suggests better picks from the same shelf — no ads, no account.
Download on the App Store