Overview

Amazon has introduced an iOS home‑screen widget for the Seller app, enabling merchants to launch a product lookup instantly without opening the full application. The widget, compatible with iOS 14 and newer, supports both barcode scanning and visual object detection, giving sellers a quicker way to verify items while sourcing or processing inventory. This shortcut can shave seconds off each lookup, which adds up to significant time savings over a busy day.

Key Points

• Instant access — A single tap on the widget opens the camera‑based search, bypassing the multi‑step navigation required in the main app.
• Dual scanning modes — Users can either scan a UPC/barcode or point the camera at an item for image‑based identification, covering scenarios where labels are missing or damaged.
• Size flexibility — The widget is offered in two dimensions—small and medium—so sellers can choose the layout that best fits their home‑screen real estate.
• iOS‑only rollout — The feature is currently limited to iPhones running iOS 14 or later; Android users must continue using the full Seller app.
• Time‑efficiency claim — Amazon estimates that eliminating a few seconds per lookup can translate into several minutes saved per hour of sourcing activity.

How the Widget Works

1. Add to Home Screen — After placing the widget, tapping it immediately activates the phone’s camera in lookup mode; for example, a retailer walking through a store can tap the widget and start scanning a product without unlocking the full app.
2. Select Scan Mode — The widget defaults to barcode scanning, but a quick swipe toggles to visual search; a wholesaler with a damaged barcode can simply aim the camera at the product’s shape to retrieve the matching Amazon listing.
3. Receive Real‑Time Results — Within seconds, Amazon’s catalog returns the closest match, displaying price, competition, and listing status; a field arbitrage seller can instantly decide whether to purchase the item based on the displayed data.