# PatchScan — user reviews

> 30 indexed App Store user reviews of PatchScan by Boy Scouts of America, rated 2.65/5 from 34 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patchscan/id645573864/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/patchscan/id645573864.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 10 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 16

## Newest reviews (10 of 30)

### 2/5 — Scanner needs to be fixed

*2026-05-31, version 1.2*

I have been trading in BSA for a few years now and have been using the scanner ever sence I had been told about it during a jamboree . I was hoping this app would make it faster and add the availablity logging my patches. Sadly, the scanner didn't recognize any of the patches QR codes as QR codes like the site does. I hope this can be fixed soon.

### 2/5 — .

*2026-01-07, version 1.2*

Good idea though app doesn’t scan codes anymore and doesn’t have a search bar like the browser version does

### 2/5 — Great idea, but……..

*2025-10-11, version 1.2*

Great idea and I used at first but it is no longer working. It needs some mayor updates.

### 2/5 — Please fix the app Camera does not recognize QR codes and there’s no way to manually add a patch.

*2025-08-08, version 1.2*

We love this app and as a member of scouting for many years and a leader and scouts. I would really like to see this work. The app does not recognize QR codes.

### 2/5 — My collection is too old

*2024-08-16, version 1.2*

It does what it advertises, but that requires the patches to have the code and there is no manual search feature. I only have two patches in my entire collection with the code on it because I got the rest of them before the codes were standard. Pretty disappointed that I can’t at least log my patches manually without the authentication feature. Would be five stars if I could do that.

### 2/5 — Patch Info Wrong

*2023-07-22, version 1.2*

There is no way to report missing or incorrect patch info, which causes confusion during trades.

### 3/5 — Patches not being saved

*2017-07-27, version 1.2*

I like the app but the patches don't save when you scan them like they did on the previous version of the app

### 2/5 — Compatibility problem

*2014-07-06, version V1.1*

This app is a great idea but unfortunately only works with patches that have QR codes on them, therefore not many patches are compatible :(

### 2/5 — Patch Won't Scan

*2014-03-15, version V1.1*

I haven't found a patch that works with this app yet.

### 3/5 — Meh.

*2013-07-26, version V1.1*

I was recently at SBR for the National Jamboree for 2013, and I noticed that many patches that were parts of sets that I scanned said they weren't parts of a set. Yet I had the set in front of me. I noticed this for many patches and was quite disappointed. BSA you guys need to fix this now.

Yours in scouting,

Dillon Savage

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Camera

*2026-04-03, version 1.2*

The camera doesn’t want to find the QR code and then is pointless, the website is good though.

### 1/5 — Waste of time

*2025-04-04, version 1.2*

Seems like a great idea, but it never, and I mean NEVER scans a code. There’s no manual capture option if the auto scan decides it doesn’t want to work, so it simply wasted storage space on my phone.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work on newer iPhones

*2024-10-09, version 1.2*

Due to camera changes, this no longer works with newer iPhones. It can’t engage the macro the default lens can’t focus on items close enough to read the QR code. Please update to utilize macro lens use.

### 1/5 — It doesn’t work

*2023-07-15, version 1.2*

Look if the app allowed you to add manually without a picture that would be cool. You are better off logging them in an excel sheet.

### 1/5 — This doesn’t work

*2023-07-01, version 1.2*

The QR scanner doesn’t work in the app

### 1/5 — Time to update before Jambo ‘23

*2023-06-10, version 1.2*

Looks like this app has not been updated to work with the current iOS.  It won’t scan the QR Codes.

### 1/5 — Camera does nothing

*2022-12-08, version 1.2*

I’ve tried multiple times to use this app hoping something would change. The camera in the app is useless up close which is where you need it. No visible option for support. It’s easier to just use default qr scanner on your phone. Waste of time

### 1/5 — Not very useful with any older patches

*2022-05-10, version 1.2*

This app only tracks patch scan enabled patches.  Would be nice if it allowed for older patches to be entered.

### 1/5 — Helpful but needs work

*2017-11-28, version 1.2*

Very helpful app, but the IU is out of date and does not issue any kind of alert when a duplicate QR code is scanned. Needs updating. Also, the QR model is ineffective due to errors in “number produced” submitted by councils/lodges and having no provision for anti-faking.

### 1/5 — Worst Idea Ever!

*2013-05-22, version V1.0*

This by no means makes anything as unofficial or fake. This is something that will hurt the hobby of trading patches.

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — cuts amazing

*2023-07-24, version 1.2*

the knives work better than advertised and slice right through any fruit or vegetable. i highly recommend them for any self respecting chef.

### 5/5 — Jambo

*2023-07-19, version 1.2*

Jambo 🚱

### 5/5 — App is helpful for Jamboree

*2017-07-20, version 1.2*

This app is very quick for scanning patches and is efficient. It is informative which helps you find out about the patches so you do not get a bad trade. I highly recommend it if you are at Jamboree this year.

### 5/5 — Best app for jamboree

*2017-07-19, version 1.2*

I was trading patches with some scouts before jamboree and someone told me about this app. I decided to download it and see what it was like. It was amazing, I just had to scan the back of the patch and it would tell me all about it. I would suggest this app to anyone who is patch trading. This is a must have for jamboree.

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2014-09-26, version V1.1*

It is so cool that my patches        Can be scanned I already scanned most of them

### 5/5 — Thx

*2013-07-14, version V1.1*

This will really help for JAMBO

### 4/5 — Great app, needs some tweaks.

*2019-09-11, version 1.2*

I really love this app! It is so handy on the go at a trading event. I do believe, however, that some adaptations could be made. 
1. The accessibility to the patch gallery that is present on the website would be spectacular! If I were to only gain that, I’m sure myself and others would be happy!
2. A filing system would be great. That would enable the user to make checklists of patches for what they want and have. 
These changes would greatly improve the effectiveness of this app and would consequently make it more beloved by patch traders.

### 4/5 — Tip

*2017-11-29, version 1.2*

I love the app I just wish there was a search bar so people like me with many patches could find a certain one quicker.

### 4/5 — Works well, dependent on manufacturer

*2013-07-04, version V1.1*

The actual PatchScan app appears to work well.  HOWEVER, the app is only as accurate as the info provided by the patch manufacturer. Our council JSP has three varieties, but manufacturer used the same QR code on all three varieties. Only 75 of the ghosts were made, but the QR code shows 500 being made.  Close reading of the data shows 100 with grey border, 325 with red border, leaving 75 unaccounted. Guesswork might lead trader to figure there are only 75 of these, but who knows? 
Users of this app need to use the data with care. 
Another issue to watch is this: Is the QR code the correct code?  Scanning a sample of our patches (Pushmataha Area Council) finds flap codes on JSPs, and vice versa.
To summarize, the actual app software is a very good start, now the manufacturers need to take the time to put accurate QR codes on the patches.
As long as this app is not used as the sole authority in patch trading, it can be helpful.

### 3/5 — Please give this app more attention

*2023-06-29, version 1.2*

If this app got the attention it deserves it would be super convenient to have a digital version of your collection. And it also gives you valuable information about the patch. It’s amazing! But the camera on the app never seems to capture the QR code, but then I use my phones normal camera app and it immediately picks up the QR code and takes me to their site. Please update this app!!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-03.*