Guide

How to Track Expiry Dates by Scanning Barcodes

Can you find an expiry date from a barcode?

The barcode identifies the product. AI reads the printed expiry date. With SimSim, you will scan both with your phone camera.

1. 1

   Scan the barcode. SimSim identifies the product.

2. 2

   Scan the printed date. SimSim's AI reads and enters it automatically.

No manual typing is required. You can still review or edit the date before saving it.

Built for phones and tablets. Available now on Android phones and tablets; iPhone and iPad support is coming soon.

Expired products are pure loss—money off the shelf and waste in the bin. Checking dates by hand or tracking them in a spreadsheet is slow and easy to forget. With SimSim, you scan the barcode to identify the product, scan the printed expiry date for AI entry, and let the app remind you before anything expires.

Here is how it works, step by step.

Do barcodes contain the expiry date?

For most standard retail products, no. A standard barcode, such as the UPC or EAN on a package, only identifies the product's name and brand. It does not contain batch-specific information, which is why the expiry date is printed separately on the box or label and changes from batch to batch.

Note: Some specialized 2D barcodes can include expiry data, but standard retail barcodes usually do not.

The barcode handles product recognition. Then you point the camera at the separately printed expiry date and SimSim's AI reads and enters it automatically. You do not have to type the date manually; you only review it before saving.

Can an app read the expiration date for you?

Yes. Point your camera at the printed expiry date and SimSim's AI reads and fills it in automatically—useful when you are adding many items at once. No typing is required, but you can review, edit, or manually enter a date whenever needed.

What you need

• A scanner: A smartphone camera works perfectly. For faster, high-volume entry, you can use a Bluetooth or USB handheld barcode scanner.
• An expiry date tracking app: Apps like SimSim recognize products from a database of 500M+ local and global product records, meaning most items are identified the moment you scan them.

Step-by-step: tracking expiry dates by barcode

1. Scan the barcode: Point your phone camera at the barcode, or use a handheld scanner. The app identifies the product instantly.
2. Scan the printed expiry date: Point your camera at the date and let SimSim's AI read and enter it automatically. Review the result, then add the quantity if you track it.
3. Choose a category and location: Assign the item to a category and a specific spot, such as Aisle A, Fridge, Freezer, or Warehouse Zone, so anyone on the team can find it.
4. Save: The app remembers the product. Next time you scan the same item, it will be recognized automatically.
5. Get alerts and act early: Choose how far in advance you want reminders, such as a week or a month. The app highlights what is expiring soonest, so your team can sell, discount, rotate, or donate items before they become a loss.

Phone camera or Bluetooth scanner?

Both work well. A phone camera is perfect for smaller shops or occasional scanning. A Bluetooth or USB handheld scanner is much faster when adding many products at once, such as in a warehouse or when receiving a large delivery.

Tips for accurate expiry tracking

• Scan at receiving: Add products to the system as stock arrives so nothing slips through untracked.
• Set sensible alert lead times: Give yourself enough warning to actually act, such as 2–4 weeks for perishable food.
• Follow FEFO (First Expired, First Out): Move the soonest-to-expire items to the front and use or sell them first.
• Organize by location: Tagging each item to a specific spot makes daily checks and stock rotation much quicker.

Frequently asked questions