Camera scanning guide
TagFit's camera lets you do three things: identify items you've already tagged, add new items by capturing the packaging, and read expiry dates from product labels. Below you'll find tips that apply to all of them, followed by the specifics of each mode.
Common basics
Distance and steadiness
How far to hold the phone depends on what you're scanning. Two simple tactile references work well. For QR or Aztec codes, about the width of one or two closed fists — roughly 10 to 20 centimeters. By "width of a closed fist" we mean: make a fist and measure across it, from the knuckle of your thumb to the outside edge of your little finger. For reading text or a barcode on a package, a bit further away — roughly 13 to 18 centimeters. A handy reference: extend your thumb and your index finger to form an L while keeping the other fingers closed. The distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger is about right. You don't need to be exact. If you don't hear anything detected after a few seconds, slowly move the phone a couple of centimeters closer or further away. Keep the phone reasonably still — small slow movements are fine, but jerky motion makes the camera lose focus.
Lighting matters
Good lighting makes a big difference. If the room is dark, TagFit will automatically turn on the flashlight. You can enable or disable auto-torch in Settings.
Brief pauses while reading text
When TagFit is reading text from a package — whether you're adding an item or scanning for an expiry date — the text on the packaging can be printed in any direction relative to how you're holding the phone. The scanner needs a moment to figure out which way the text is facing. If you stop hearing text being detected for a second or two while moving the camera, that's what is happening: TagFit is locking onto the orientation. Hold the camera still over the area for about three seconds before continuing. Once the orientation is found, reading resumes immediately.
Sounds you'll hear
The scanner gives audio feedback for every event so you don't need to look at the screen. You'll hear a soft loop while the camera is active, a short sound each time something is detected, a different sound while a result is being processed, and a clear confirmation when it's ready. Errors and special situations — no result found, several codes in view, or time to turn the package — each have their own distinctive sound. With VoiceOver or TalkBack on, key events are also announced.
Identifying tagged items
Use this mode to read a TagFit QR or Aztec label that you've already attached to one of your items. The camera identifies the code in any orientation, so you don't need to align it.
Positioning the label
Place the QR or Aztec code on a flat surface. Make sure it's not wrinkled, folded, or partially covered. The code doesn't need to be perfectly centered — TagFit detects it anywhere in the frame.
Multiple codes in view
If more than one TagFit code is visible, the scanner will announce each detected item along with its relative distance: close, medium, or far. This helps you identify which item is nearest to the camera.
NFC vs camera
On iOS, you choose between NFC and camera for each scan. On Android, both work simultaneously — the camera is always active, and NFC reads automatically when you bring your phone close to a tag. You can set your preferred method in Settings > Scan method.
Adding new items from packaging
Use this mode when you bring something new home and want TagFit to register it for you. Point the camera at the packaging and the scanner reads several things in parallel: the product barcode (EAN, UPC, etc.), pharmaceutical DataMatrix codes (currently iOS only), and any text on the package. All of it is then sent to AI in one go to suggest a name, category, expiry date and other details.
How to scan
Hold the phone about 12 to 15 centimeters from the package — roughly the length from your thumb to the tip of your index finger when spread apart. Move the phone slowly across each surface so the camera can read both the barcode and the text. There's no rush — let it accumulate information over a few seconds. If a barcode is on one side and the description or expiry date is on another, simply turn the package and keep scanning. The scanner remembers what it has already found.
What you'll hear
You'll hear distinct sounds depending on what was found: one when a barcode is detected, another while it's being looked up in the food product database, and a confirmation when the product is recognised. If the barcode isn't in the database — which happens often with non-food items, regional brands, or medications — TagFit falls back on the text and any DataMatrix code it picked up. With VoiceOver or TalkBack on, the announcements describe each detection as it happens.
What happens next
When you stop the scan, everything captured (the barcode result, any DataMatrix data, and the accumulated text) is sent to AI in a single request. TagFit then suggests a name, category, expiry date and any other details it can infer, and opens an editable form so you can confirm or adjust before saving. This is the fastest way to add a new item — usually three to five seconds of scanning is enough.
Reading expiry dates
TagFit also has a dedicated scanner for reading expiry dates from packaging — useful when you want to update the date on an item you already have, or when adding a new one and you want to be sure the date is captured. The technique is similar to adding from camera, but the scanner is tuned for date patterns and "once opened" periods, and the dedicated guide includes a list of where manufacturers usually print dates on common products.