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Connecting a Handheld RFID Scanner to itemit

Learn how to connect, configure, and troubleshoot a handheld RFID scanner with itemit.

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Written by Christine Goh

Overview

This guide explains how to connect a handheld RFID scanner to the itemit mobile application and prepare it for use.
​

The handheld RFID scanner connects to the mobile device via Bluetooth, allowing the user to read RFID tags using the trigger on the handheld device.

Important: For an RFID reader to scan tags correctly, the appropriate regulatory

region must be configured on the reader itself. This is normally set by the

manufacturer, but it may need to be configured again after a factory reset

or changes to the device settings.

Contents

  1. Overview

  2. Before You Begin

  3. Connecting the RFID Scanner in itemit

  4. Additional Setup for Zebra RFID Readers

  5. Checking the Connection

  6. Testing the RFID Scanner

  7. Troubleshooting Bluetooth Connection Issues

  8. Troubleshooting RFID Scanning Issues

  9. Quick Diagnostic Guide

  10. Recommended Troubleshooting Order

  11. Important Notes

  12. Quick Connection Flow
    ​

Before You Begin

Before starting, please ensure that:

  • The itemit application is installed on your mobile device.

  • The RFID scanner is switched on.

  • Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile device.

  • If you are using a Zebra RFID reader, the 123RFID Mobile application is available for configuration if required.

Connecting the RFID Scanner in itemit

Step 1 - Open itemit

Open the itemit application on your mobile device.

Step 2 - Open the RFID Menu

  • Navigate to: Menu → RFID

Depending on the version of the application, the appearance of the interface may vary slightly.

Step 3 - Start the Reader Connection

  • Select the appropriate Reader, then tap Next

  • Then, select Add RFID Reader. The application will begin searching for available RFID devices.

Step 4 - Select the Scanner

  • Once a compatible device has been detected you'll see Select An Accessory. Choose your RFID reader from the list

Please note: If the device does not appear immediately, allow up to 30 seconds for the list of available accessories to refresh.

  • If prompted, confirm the Bluetooth pairing on the device. Once connected successfully, the RFID reader should be available for use within itemit.

Additional Setup for Zebra RFID Readers

Some Zebra RFID readers may require additional initial configuration using 123RFID Mobile.


This is particularly important when the reader successfully connects to itemit but is unable to detect RFID tags.

Checking the Regulatory Region

Step 1 - Open 123RFID Mobile

  • Install and open the 123RFID Mobile application

Step 2 - Connect the Zebra Reader

  • Connect the Zebra RFID reader to your mobile device using Bluetooth

Step 3 - Open the Regulatory Settings

  • If a regulatory region has not yet been configured, Zebra may automatically open the Regulatory settings page.

  • If this does not happen automatically, navigate to Settings → RFID → Regulatory

Step 4 - Select the Correct Region

  • Under Region, select the country or regulatory region where the device will be used. For example: UK / GBR . Always select the region appropriate to the country in which the reader is operating.

Important: The regulatory region must match the location where the RFID reader is being used.

Step 5 - Select Available Channels

  • If the application asks you to select available RFID channels, choose the channels appropriate for the selected region.

Step 6 - Apply the Settings

  • Return to the previous screen and ensure that the configuration has been applied successfully. You may see a confirmation message such as Settings Applied Successfully

  • Once the settings have been applied, the Zebra RFID reader should be ready to use with itemit.

Checking the Connection

Once the RFID scanner has been successfully connected, an RFID button or status indicator should appear on the Home page in itemit.
This can be used to:

  • Check whether the RFID reader is connected.

  • View the current connection status.

  • Adjust the RFID signal power.

Adjusting RFID Signal Power

The RFID signal power determines the approximate range at which the scanner can detect RFID tags.

Higher Power

A higher signal power may allow RFID tags to be detected from a greater distance.

Lower Power

A lower signal power reduces the detection range. This can be useful when you only want to scan tags located close to the reader.

Recommendation: Start with a medium power level and increase it only if a greater scanning range is required.

Testing the RFID Scanner

Once the reader is connected:

  1. Confirm that the RFID scanner is shown as connected in itemit.

  2. Adjust the RFID signal power if required.

  3. Position the scanner near an RFID tag.

  4. Press the trigger on the handheld scanner.

  5. Check that itemit detects the RFID tag.

If the tag is detected successfully, the RFID reader is ready for use.

Troubleshooting Bluetooth Connection Issues

If you experience problems connecting the RFID scanner to itemit via Bluetooth, it may help to completely reset the Bluetooth connection.
​

Follow these steps:

  1. Fully close the itemit application. Make sure the application is no longer running in the background.

  2. Open the mobile device's system Bluetooth settings.

  3. Find the RFID scanner in the list of paired or connected devices.

  4. Remove, forget, or unpair the RFID scanner from the mobile device.

  5. Restart the mobile device.

  6. Once the device has restarted, return to the system Bluetooth settings.

  7. Pair or reconnect the RFID scanner with the mobile device again.

  8. Confirm that the Bluetooth connection has been successfully established in the system settings.

  9. Only after the scanner has been connected in the system Bluetooth settings, open itemit.

  10. Return to Menu → RFID. Check whether the reader is now available and connected in itemit.

Recommended approach: If the RFID reader is having difficulty connecting in itemit, first completely close itemit and reconnect the scanner through the mobile device's system Bluetooth settings. Once the Bluetooth connection is established there, reopen itemit.

Troubleshooting RFID Scanning Issues

The Reader Is Connected, but RFID Tags Are Not Being Detected

You may experience the following:

  • The RFID reader connects successfully to itemit.

  • The RFID indicator appears on the Home page.

  • The RFID signal power can be adjusted.

  • Pressing the trigger does not detect any RFID tags.

In this situation, one of the first things to check is the regulatory region configured on the RFID reader, particularly for Zebra devices (see above)

iOS

  • On iOS, itemit may not display a clear message informing the user that a regulatory region must be selected.

  • As a result, the reader may appear to be connected correctly whilst RFID scanning does not actually work.

  • To resolve this, open 123RFID Mobile and navigate to Settings → RFID → Regulatory → Region

  • Select the correct region and apply the settings.

  • Afterwards, return to itemit and reconnect the RFID reader.

Android

  • On Android, itemit may automatically ask the user to select a region if one has not been configured.

  • Follow the instructions displayed in the application and select the appropriate region.

  • If no prompt appears, check the configuration directly in 123RFID Mobile Settings → RFID → Regulatory

  • Ensure that the correct region has been selected and the settings have been applied.

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Symptom

What to Check

RFID reader does not appear during connection

Check Bluetooth, ensure the scanner is switched on, then search again

Select An Accessory appears but the list is empty

Wait up to 30 seconds and confirm that the reader is powered on

Reader has Bluetooth connection issues in itemit

Fully close itemit, forget the reader in system Bluetooth settings, restart the device, reconnect the reader in system settings, then reopen itemit

Reader connects but does not scan tags

Check Region / Regulatory settings on the Zebra reader

Everything appears connected on iOS, but scanning does not work

Check the Zebra region in 123RFID Mobile first

Android asks you to select a region

Select the correct region and continue with the setup

Tags can only be detected at a very short distance

Increase the RFID signal power from the Home page

Too many tags are being detected

Reduce the RFID signal power

Recommended Troubleshooting Order

If the RFID scanner cannot be connected to itemit:

  1. Confirm that the scanner is switched on.

  2. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on the mobile device.

  3. Fully close the itemit application.

  4. Open the mobile device's system Bluetooth settings.

  5. Remove or forget the RFID scanner from the list of paired devices.

  6. Restart the mobile device.

  7. Return to the system Bluetooth settings after the restart.

  8. Pair or reconnect the RFID scanner.

  9. Confirm that the scanner is connected successfully in the system Bluetooth settings.

  10. Open itemit.

  11. Navigate to Menu → RFID and try connecting to the reader again.


If the scanner connects successfully but does not detect RFID tags:

  1. Confirm that the Reader is connected in itemit.

  2. Check the RFID indicator on the Home page.

  3. Check the current RFID signal power.

  4. If you are using a Zebra reader, open 123RFID Mobile.

  5. Navigate to Settings → RFID → Regulatory.

  6. Confirm that the correct Region has been selected.

  7. Apply the settings.

  8. Return to itemit and reconnect the RFID reader.

  9. Press the trigger and test the reader with an RFID tag.

Important Notes

In most cases, Zebra RFID scanners are supplied with the correct regulatory region already configured. Therefore, additional configuration is not normally required.
Checking the region is particularly important when:

  • The device has been reset to factory settings.

  • The regulatory configuration has been removed or changed.

  • The reader connects successfully to itemit but does not scan RFID tags.

  • An iOS device is being used and itemit does not display a prompt to select a region.

If any of these symptoms occur, check Regulatory / Region in 123RFID Mobile before investigating more complex issues.

Key point: A reader can appear to be connected correctly whilst still being unable to scan RFID tags if its regulatory region has not been configured.


​Bluetooth connection tip: If itemit cannot connect to a reader that has previously been paired, reset the connection by fully closing itemit, forgetting the device in the system Bluetooth settings, restarting the mobile device, pairing the scanner again in the system settings, and then reopening itemit.

Summary

A successful RFID setup consists of three main stages:
​Connect the reader → Confirm the connection → Test RFID scanning


If there is a problem establishing a Bluetooth connection in itemit, fully close the application and reset the Bluetooth connection through the mobile device's system settings before trying again.


If the reader is connected but tags are not being detected, the regulatory region should be one of the first things checked, particularly for Zebra readers and iOS devices.


Once the Bluetooth connection has been established, the correct regulatory region has been configured where required, and the reader is connected to itemit, RFID tags can be read using the trigger on the handheld scanner.

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