Barcode won't scan

If a barcode won't scan in Nutrola, it's usually either a camera or lighting problem, or the product isn't in the database. Make sure Nutrola has camera access, scan in good light with the whole barcode inside the frame, and use the flash for dark labels. If Nutrola still can't find the item, tap "Describe it instead" to log it.

How do I open the barcode scanner?

Tap the center + button in the tab bar to open the logging menu, then tap Scan Barcode. The scanner screen is titled Barcode Scanner and shows a frame with the prompt "Align barcode within the frame." How to log a meal

The scanner won't read the barcode

If the camera is open but nothing happens when you point it at a barcode, try these in order:

1. Allow camera access. Barcode scanning needs camera permission. If you tapped no earlier, Nutrola shows a "Camera Access Needed" message with an "Open Settings" button. Tap it, enable Nutrola's camera access in your device settings (exact path varies by OS version), then reopen the scanner.
2. Turn on the flash. The scanner has a flash (torch) toggle in the top-right corner. Tap it to light up dark or low-contrast labels.
3. Improve the lighting. Scan in a well-lit spot. Glare and shadows on the label can stop the camera from reading it.
4. Hold steady and frame the whole barcode. Keep the phone still and fit the entire barcode inside the frame, not too close and not too far.
5. Flatten the label. Curved or wrinkled barcodes on cans, bottles, and bags can be hard to read, so smooth or angle the package.

What if Nutrola can't find the product?

Nutrola looks up barcodes in a large product database, so some products aren't in it yet. This is expected and is not a problem with your phone. When a barcode isn't found, Nutrola shows a friendly card titled "Hmm, I don't know this one!" with the message that the barcode isn't in its cookbook yet.

You have two options on that card:

• Describe it instead opens the Describe Food flow, where you say or type what the food is and Nutrola estimates the calories and macros for you. You can edit the estimate afterward. Correct an AI meal with 'Fix Result' (tell it what's wrong)
• Not now dismisses the card without logging anything.

You can also log the item another way:

• Use Search Food to look it up by name, or pick it from Saved Foods if you've logged it before. Log from the food database, your foods, and saved foods
• Snap a photo of the food itself with Scan Food for an AI estimate. My photo isn't being recognized

Are scanned barcodes accurate?

For packaged foods that do scan, the barcode is a precise way to log because the nutrition comes straight from the product's listed values. Barcode products are also the only ones where you can switch the portion and unit (serving, grams, ounces, milliliters, and so on). If a scanned number looks off, you can still edit it. The calorie or macro estimate looks wrong Logging drinks and liquids (ml / fl oz)

Still need help? In the app, open Profile/Settings → Support & Legal → Contact us to chat with our support assistant, or email us at support@nutrola.app.