Overview
Zebra DataWedge is an application service that provides the capability to control and manage data capture hardware with little effort to send data into new or existing apps. It enables any application on the device to capture data from multiple input sources (such as barcode scanner, MSR, RFID, voice, and serial port) and format the data as needed using simple options or custom complex rules. DataWedge functionality is based on profiles - the foreground activity determines the set of configurations to apply from the profile. Profiles are configured manually or programmatically using Android intent APIs, with the capability for mass deployment. DataWedge is available out-of-the-box with every Zebra Android device.
See What's New for new features from the latest DataWedge version.
Learn about Getting Started with DataWedge along with step-by-step procedures on how to perform common tasks through the user interface to capture data.
DataWedge facilitates seamless integration with any language that supports intents, communicating with business applications via Android Intents. Languages such as Java, Kotlin, or .Net MAUI can be used to develop applications leveraging DataWedge for data capture. Additionally, Zebra’s Enterprise Browser can be used to create browser-based applications with DataWedge features. For guidance, refer to Programmer's guides, Developer Articles and Blogs and Samples on use of DataWedge intent APIs and best practices.
Usage Notes and Behavior contain important information on the use of DataWedge.
Feature Matrix provides information on supported features based on the component versions (DataWedge version, build version, scan engine, etc.).
• Specific Bluetooth scanner identifiers are discontinued from Scanner Selection on select Zebra devices running Android 11 or higher.
• Some DataWedge features are deprecated, including Reporting and some Voice Input options. Refer to Important Information below for more details.
• Starting with Android 14, all DataWedge intent APIs are secured in controlled mode; use of DataWedge intent APIs is restricted to apps whitelisted by administrators. Optionally, administrators can turn off controlled mode if DataWedge intent APIs need to be used by any application. Refer to Control Access to DataWedge intent APIs.
The appearance of sample app screens displayed throughout this guide can vary by DataWedge version, Android version and screen size.
Important Information
NextGen SimulScan
NextGen SimulScan consists of major SimulScan capabilities migrated to the internal scanning framework accessible through DataWedge and DataWedge intent APIs. These capabilities are supported on certain Bluetooth scanners and all Zebra devices with built-in imager and/or camera running Android 8.x Oreo and higher. For Zebra Professional-series devices, such as TC21 and TC26, NextGen SimulScan requires a Mobility DNA Enterprise license. NextGen SimulScan features (formerly part of SimulScan) are:
- MultiBarcode - acquire multiple, unique barcodes in a single scan session and deliver scanned data either immediately or after the specified number of barcodes per scan is reached. Options currently available:
- Number of barcodes per scan:
- Set a fixed quantity of barcodes to scan
- Set a minimum and maximum number of barcodes to scan (introduced in DataWedge 11.1)
- Instant Reporting - instantaneously report unique barcodes within a scanning session. (Must not be confused with DataWedge Reporting that is deprecated.)
- Report decoded barcodes - report decoded barcodes in a single scan session.
- Document Capture - scan a document based on a Document Capture/NextGen SimulScan template. Create the template using NG SimulScan Template Builder, or starting with DataWedge 11.1, use one of the preloaded Document Capture templates.
See Simulscan Migration Alert for more information.
Voice Input Options Deprecated
The following Voice Input features are deprecated and discontinued in Android 13 and later:
- Data capture start option - Start phrase
- Data capture start phrase
- Data capture end phrase
Zebra recommends to transition to using the PTT button to trigger voice capture.
Reporting Deprecated
DataWedge Reporting (not to be confused with Instant Reporting from MultiBarcode) is deprecated and discontinued in Android 13 and later. The data previously available through Reporting continues to be available through the following DataWedge intent APIs to identify the supported scanners and parameters:
- Enumerate Scanners - generates an index of scanners available on the device.
- Get Config - retrieves the
PARAM_LISTsettings, or the supported parameters, from the specified Profile; returned as a set of value pairs or a Plug-in config bundle. See Get Barcode Parameters for sample code.
New in DataWedge 13.0
- DataWedge Reporting is deprecated and discontinued in Android 13 and later. As an alternative, Zebra recommends using the following DataWedge intent APIs to identify the supported scanners and parameters:
◦ Enumerate Scanners - generates an index of scanners available on the device.
◦ Get Config - retrieves thePARAM_LISTsettings, or the supported parameters, from the specified Profile; returned as a set of value pairs or a Plug-in config bundle. See Get Supported Barcode Parameters for sample code. - Voice Input option to trigger data capture using a Start phrase and its related options are discontinued. Instead, Zebra recommends using the PTT button to trigger voice capture.
- Android 13 recent apps screen behavior change: In Android 13 and higher, when opening the recent apps screen after launching an app associated with a DataWedge profile, the DataWedge profile remains active while in the recent apps screen. This was not the case with older Android versions.
- New Enumerate Workflows API lists workflow inputs available on the device.
- New GS1 Parsing that extracts data encoded within GS1 barcodes. Programmatically set the related parameters using SetConfig and GetConfig via Keystroke Output.
- Introduced Digital Link Parsing to allow reading barcodes embedded with web links, enabling users to access information conveniently. Programmatically set the related parameters using SetConfig and GetConfig via Keystroke Output.
- New Free-Form Image Capture sample app.
New in DataWedge 13.0.301
- For Android 13 devices, added new configuration options for Picklist + OCR with corresponding SetConfig API parameters::
- Report Barcode Data Rules - Specify the conditions and actions to decode the selected barcode
- Picklist Mode - Select the data type to be scanned in picklist mode
- Text Structure - Select the data structure of the text
New in DataWedge 13.0.316
- Introduced Priority Focus Mode (part of Advanced Scan Engine Settings) to enhance scanning performance by allowing the capability to adjust the priority focus range. This feature improves scanning performance by optimizing focus based on the specified range and promotes customization, enabling users to adapt settings to their specific requirements. Programmatically set the related parameters using SetConfig.
New in DataWedge 13.0.322
- Introduced support for Android Work Profile on mixed-use company-owned devices, formerly known as Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE) devices.
Version History
See Version History.
Which Version is Installed?
To determine which DataWedge version is installed on a device, perform one of the following:
A. Open the About screen in DataWedge. Instructions are provided below.
B. Open App Info from DataWedge. Long press the DataWedge icon in the apps screen and tap App Info.
C. Use Get Version Info DataWedge intent API to retrieve the DataWedge version.
To open the About screen in DataWedge:
1. On the device, locate and tap the DataWedge icon in the Launcher screen or App Drawer:
Launcher icon for DataWedge 6.x
2. Tap the 3 dot menu icon. The DataWedge menu appears:
3. Tap About. The "About DataWedge" screen appears. The DataWedge version number is displayed. Notice that the Scanner Framework version also is shown - certain features may rely on the Scanner Framework version. See Feature Matrix for more information.
The "About DataWedge" box showing version numbers
4. If the DataWedge version on the device is different than that of this guide, return to the TechDocs tile page and select the appropriate version from the drop-down menu in the DataWedge tile.
Some device-specific Integrator Guides contain recommendations on how DataWedge should be configured or how apps should integrate with DataWedge. These are available on the Zebra support site.
Supported Peripheral Devices
External scanners and imagers are visible through the DataWedge UI based on the scanner framework version supported. Some examples are:
- DS2208
- DS2278
- DS3608
- DS4608
- DS3678
- DS8108
- DS8178
- DS9308
- DS9908
- LI3608
- LI3678
- RS507
- RS4000
- RS5000
- RS5100
- RS6000
- RS6100
See Bluetooth SSI Scanners and USB SSI Scanners.
Language Support
DataWedge is approved to run in any of the following selected system language:
- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Japanese
After the system language is changed, a screen refresh (e.g. close and re-open DataWedge) is required for the selected language to be reflected.
Related Guides: