Setting up the barcode fonts on an iOS device

Installing Barcode Fonts on iOS for Use with Other Apps

Barcode Fonts

Creating barcodes using fonts is a proven and widely adopted approach in the automatic identification (auto-ID) industry. Unlike image-based barcodes, font-generated barcodes are rendered at the printer’s full resolution, free from screen DPI limitations. This results in crisp, high-precision barcodes that meet the strict quality standards required by businesses and regulatory bodies worldwide.

The OpenType barcode fonts included in Barcode & Label work seamlessly with popular document creation and design applications such as Apple Pages (iWork), Microsoft Office apps on iOS, and Adobe Creative Suite. Fonts can be embedded directly into documents, ensuring portability, consistent output, and reliable barcode scanning across devices and platforms.

Industry Proven

ConnectCode Barcode Fonts have been trusted by the industry for over 15 years and are used by numerous Fortune 500 companies. They have helped organizations consistently pass rigorous independent verification and compliance testing, including GS1 and ISO standards.

Steps to Install Barcode Fonts on iOS

1. Launch Barcode & Label. Tap the Document icon in the top-left corner, then navigate to Settings > Barcode Fonts > Install Barcode Fonts.

2. The screen displays a list of available barcode fonts. Select the font you want to install—for example, Code 39 (Size 3), which is free—and tap the “+” button to begin installation.

3. You will be prompted to install the font system-wide. Tap "Install" to confirm.

4. Once installed, the top-right corner of the screen will indicate "Installed".

Font Name: CCode39_S3

File Name: ConnectCode39_S3.otf

A variety of barcode fonts are available. Detailed descriptions of each font are provided below.

5. Tap the Document icon in the top-left corner of the app, then navigate to Settings > Barcode Fonts > Barcode Encoder. This tool enables you to generate standards-compliant barcodes in accordance with ISO and GS1 specifications using barcode fonts. Because the barcodes are font-based, they can be easily reused and edited in other applications—such as Apple Pages, Microsoft Word, or Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop on iOS—while maintaining high print quality and consistent rendering.

6. Choose your desired Barcode Symbology, enter the Input Data, and configure any options such as Check Digit. For this example, select Code 39, enter "12345678" as the data, and disable the check digit. Tap Encode to generate the barcode using the font.

7. Adjust the barcode size by changing the font size or selecting a different font variant.

Code 39 barcodes, for instance, include multiple font variants (S1, S2, etc.) that differ primarily in height. These fonts are engineered from the ground up, widely adopted in the industry, and proven to pass ISO/GS1 audits and real-world supply chain barcode scanning. For this example, we will leave everything as the default.

Examples:

CCode39_S1 (ConnectCode39_S1.otf)
CCode39_S2 (ConnectCode39_S2.otf)
CCode39_S3 (ConnectCode39_S3.otf) - DEFAULT
...

The S3 variant is the default and most commonly used.

8. Tap Copy Barcode to copy the encoded barcode to your clipboard. Paste it into your target app or document (e.g., for packaging design in a creative suite). Since these are OpenType fonts, they can be embedded and saved as part of the document. For bulk barcode creation, you can use ConnectCode Excel Barcode Formulas or other compatible tools.

9. Open your desired app, such as Pages, Microsoft Word, or Adobe Illustrator on iOS, and paste the encoded barcode text. You can still change to another installed font (e.g., CCode39_S3) or adjust the size as shown below.

10. Print or save the document as usual. The fonts remain available system-wide as long as the Barcode & Label app is installed. If you uninstall the app, the fonts will be removed. To restore them, simply reinstall via the steps above.

This process ensures high-quality, standards-compliant barcodes that work seamlessly across iOS apps. If you encounter any issues or need guidance for specific symbologies, feel free to contact us.

iOS Fonts

At any time, you can view and manage your installed barcode fonts by going to Settings > General > Fonts on your iPhone. This section lists all custom fonts available system-wide.

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