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How do I set up and pair my TSL 1166 scanner to an Android Device?

In this article, learn how to pair and configure your TSL 1166 Bluetooth scanner for Android

Applicable Subscription Levels:

QC MANAGER | STARTER | PRO | PRO+ | ENTERPRISE

ANDROID 11 | ANDROID 12 | ANDROID 13

Overview

This guide will walk you through setting up your TSL 1166, pairing with your Android device and then to the Idencia Mobile app.

Things to Know
Getting Started
Configure your Scanner on your PC
Connecting your Scanner to your Android Device
Tips, Tricks & Troubleshooting
Hibernation/Sleep Mode
Using TSL Scanner on Android & iOS
Barcodes and Case Sensitivity
TSL Tag Finder

Things to Know

Your TSL 1166 scanner will need to be updated to the most recent firmware version before being able to connect to your Android Device.

This process will take place on your Computer/PC and your scanner will need to be fully charged before proceeding. TSL provides a basic document with a guided process here that you can follow: Downloading Firmware Guide

However, to better help our customers, we will also be providing more detailed Step by Step instructions below.

Getting Started

Your TSL Docking Station came with a USB cord. Plug the cord into the scanner and then plug the USB end into your computer
1. Your computer should recognize that a new device has been connected
2. If your computer does not acknowledge that it has been plugged in, please try either of the following:
  1. Press the yellow trigger button on the handle of the scanner to ensure that it is on/awake
  2. Try plugging the cord into a different USB Port
Next download the following files to your PC:
1. Firmware Application
2. Firmware Download 1166

Configure your Scanner on your PC

Open the Desktop Firmware Loader v1.27.zip folder from your downloads
Run/Open the setup.exe Application file
Click Next
Select the folder where you want to install the application. It is recommended that you use the auto populated folder. Click Next
Confirm the installation by clicking Next
A popup will appear requesting permission for the application to run. Click Yes
Installation has completed and you can now click Close
Next, open your File Explorer
Open Windows (C:)
Open Program Files (x86)
Open Technology Solutions UK Ltd
Open Desktop Firmware Loader
Run/Open the DesktopFirmwareLoader.exe Application
There is a chance the Firmware Download will auto populate and it will look like this:
If you do not see any values next to Download, please click on this button on the right hand side
Open the following PPF File
You might need to change the dropdown option as seen here:
This is where the computer detects which USB Port the scanner is plugged into
Next click Download
The application will now proceed with downloading the firmware. It will show several different messages as it sends data to the scanner
During this process, you will hear the scanner notification sound that it has been connected: Notification Sound
When completed, the screen will look like this
Your firmware has now been updated! You can now proceed to connecting your scanner to your Android device.

Connecting your Scanner to your Android Device

On your Android device make your way to the Settings
Go to Connections
Go to Bluetooth
Under Available Devices you should see an option for your scanner
1. It will appear in the following format: <Serial Number> - 1166
2. The serial number is found at the bottom of your TSL
Click on your available TSL Device then click Pair
Your scanner will now be shown under Paired Devices
Go to your Idencia App
Click the 3 Dots in the top right corner
Click Settings
Click on the section where it says Default Scanner
On the popup, select the TSL and click OK
Go back to your Idencia Home Screen and select Scan Tag
Click the Connect button towards the bottom of the screen
On the popup select the TSL Scanner and click OK
Your app should now show Connected to Scanner
You are now able to start scanning!

Tips, Tricks and Troubleshooting

Hibernation/Sleep Mode

The TSL is internally programmed to extend battery life as much as possible.

What this means is that the scanner goes into sleep/hibernation mode more often than other scanners.

The scanner will stay connected via Bluetooth, but it will temporarily disconnect from the Idencia App.

Same as when you are connecting the scanner the first time on the Scan Tag page. It will display as the following:

- Just hit the Connect button and it will reconnected the scanner to the Idencia App

Using your TSL Scanner for both an Android and iOS Device

If you are using one TSL Scanner across multiple devices, there are two sets of instructions depending on your device

Moving from Android to iOS

While in the Idencia App, navigate to the Scan Tag screen and click the Disconnect button
You may now go through the steps of connecting your TSL scanner to your iOS device

Moving from iOS to Android

- While in the Idencia App, navigate to the Scan Tag screen and click the Disconnect button
- Next, navigate to your Bluetooth settings and disconnect/remove your scanner from list of connected devices
- You may now go through the steps of connecting your TSL scanner to your Android device

Barcodes and Case Sensitivity

Your TSL Scanner is not programmed to differentiate between lowercase and uppercase

What this means is that when you use the TSL scanner to scan a label that has lowercase letters, the scanner will automatically change the serial number to uppercase when displaying in the Idencia App

If you are scanning a label that already exists in the Idencia system, the app will think that it is a new item and act accordingly

If you do have any labels that contain lowercase letters, it is best to use the camera from your device instead of your TSL Scanner

TSL Tag Finder

The TSL Scanner offers a Tag Finder option that you can read about here:

How do I use the TSL Tag Finder Feature?