With RFID tags, you can scan an entire yard of hives in seconds. Scanning works up to ~2 meters (6 feet) away, allowing you to walk through the yard immediately after unloading hives and capture data quickly.

Before You Start

Replace your old tags with RFID tags — only RFID-enabled tags can be batch scanned.
Ensure you’re using a supported scanner.
❗ As of 2023, we only support the Zebra RFD9090 scanner.
Available on iOS and Android — steps are the same on both platforms.

ℹ️ For detailed instructions on how to efficiently replace the tags in your beekeeping operation, click here.

Step 1 - Add Hives

From the home page, tap the orange + icon.
Select Add Hives.

Step 1 Alternative Option – Add Hives from a Yard Tile

You can also go straight into the hive-adding workflow from the yard tile itself.

Locate the yard tile on the map.
Tap the Add Hives button.
This will open the hive-adding workflow directly for that yard — no need to go through yard selection.

Step 2 - Choose a Yard

When adding hives, you’ll need to decide whether to place them in an existing yard or create a new yard.

ℹ️ For more detailed instructions on creating a new yard, click here

A. Selecting an Existing Yard

By default, the app shows the closest yard card first.
Swipe left or right to browse other yard cards.
Once you find the right one, tap Select Yard to continue.

B. Creating New Yard

If the hives are going into a yard that isn’t in your system yet, tap Create New Yard.
Enter the yard details (name, location, etc.) and save.
Once created, you’ll automatically move into the hive-adding workflow for that new yard.

Step 3 - Select RFID

Choose the RFID option, then tap Start Scanning.

Step 4 - Enable Bluetooth

Turn on Bluetooth if prompted.
If Bluetooth is already enabled, this step is skipped.

Step 5 - Connect the Scanner

Select your scanner from the list.
Tap Connect.

Step 6 - Start Scanning

Hold the top trigger on the scanner and point it toward RFID tags.
Scan within ~2 meters / 6 feet.
The scanner lights show Bluetooth, battery, and network status so you know everything is connected.

ℹ️ Check out this video, demonstrating the scanning process!

Step 7 - Verify & Submit

Review the total hive count before moving forward. This helps catch errors before saving.
Once verified, you’ll see two options:
a. Submit → Finalizes the hive-adding process.
b. Submit & Inspect → Finalizes and takes you directly into a Hive Inspection workflow for those hives.

Tips and Tricks

Walk the Line Efficiently
Start at one end of the yard and move in a straight line, keeping the scanner within ~2 meters / 6 feet of tags. This minimizes missed hives.
Use the Right View for the Job
- Detailed View: Shows hive status, origin yard, and movement info. Best when working with smaller groups or when you need more context.
- Simplified View: Focuses only on total hive counts. Best for scanning quickly through large yards without missing hives.
  You can switch between views anytime without losing progress.
Check Scanner Battery Beforehand
The Zebra RFD9090 shows Bluetooth, battery, and network status with lights. Always confirm the battery indicator is green before heading out.
Verify Counts in the Field
Compare the scanned total with the expected hive count before submitting. Catching errors on-site prevents data clean-up later.
Use Submit & Inspect for Efficiency
If you’re working hives right after unloading, choose Submit & Inspect to move directly into inspections without extra steps.
Keep Tags Current
Make sure all hives are equipped with the latest RFID tags. Mixing old and new tags can cause missed scans or incomplete counts.