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How to add another device to a scanning session

Learn how to connect extra devices to the same scanning session so multiple helpers can scan participant QR codes.

Written by Jasmine Adgerson

Overview

Using multiple devices can help you scan faster when you have a large group. The scanner app offers two ways for an extra device to join the coach’s active scanning session.

Choose the option that matches the person using the extra device:

  • Join Live Session (no login) – Use this if the person does not have a Marathon Kids account.

  • Join an Ongoing Activity (login required) – Use this if the person has a Marathon Kids account and is already logged in to the scanner app.

Important: Devices need WiFi or cellular data to join the live session. After a device has joined, it does not need WiFi to continue scanning.

For coaches: start the session and display the join QR code

  1. Open the scanner app and log in.

  2. Select your club and select RUN!

    Scanner app “Select your club” screen with a red arrow pointed at the Join an Ongoing Activity button

  3. Select the track or activity you will scan today and tap RUN! to start the session.

    Scanner app “Select an activity” screen showing tracks & activity cards with RUN! buttons

  4. Tap Start Live Scanning.

    Scanner app “Ready to Scan?” screen with instructions and the Start Live Scanning button at the bottom.

  5. Tap the Join QR button to display the QR code on your screen.

    Scanner app live scanning screen showing the camera view, scan counter, and the Join QR button highlighted with a red arrow

  6. Show the QR code on your screen so additional devices can scan it and join the session.

    Scanner app “Your Code” screen displaying a QR code with the text “Use this QR code to give supporters access.”

For additional devices: scan the join QR code to connect

  1. Choose how the extra device will join the coach’s session and scan.

    Side-by-side screenshots of the Marathon Kids scanner app showing how an additional device can join a coach’s scanning session. Left: the login screen with the Join Live Session button highlighted. Right: the Select your club screen with the Join an Ongoing Activity button highlighted.

  2. Use the device camera to scan the QR code displayed on the coach’s device.

    Scanner App “Scan Code” screen showing the camera scanning a QR code displayed on another device, with a green scan frame around the code.

  3. Wait for the join to complete, then begin scanning participant QR codes.

End the session and sync your scans

When scanning is finished, each device that scanned must end the session and sync so its scans upload.

  1. On each device (coach device and any volunteer/additional devices), tap Stop Live Scanning.

  2. Tap Finish.

  3. Wait for the Sync Completed message. You will also see a checkmark confirming the scans synced.

Important: If you see No internet connection, your scans are still saved on your device and will need to be resubmitted once you have WiFi or cellular data again. Please follow the steps in: How to resubmit failed scans

FAQs

What’s the difference between join live session and join an ongoing activity?

Use join live session when a helper does not have an account and will scan without logging in. Use join an ongoing activity when a helper has a Marathon Kids account and will log in on their device to scan.

I have a Marathon Kids account. Do I have to be logged in to scan?

No. You can still scan without logging in by using the join live session feature from the login screen on the scanner app.

Do scans from devices that join show up in one session, or do they create multiple sessions?

When devices join a scanning session, scans from all devices are saved together as one session in the coach’s web application after all devices sync.

Where do I find scans if syncing fails?

If the session does not sync, you can resubmit it from the log history. Follow the

steps in: How to resubmit failed scans

How many devices can join a coach's session?

Up to 8 devices can join the same scanning session.

Helpful Related Articles

What if my scans fail to sync?

Things I should know about the scanner app

How do I invite Supporters?

How do I resubmit failed scans?

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