The Packing App simplifies packing station setup by communicating directly with your local printer and scale. Because all print requests are processed locally, it's more efficient than a standard Workstation setup. The latest version also includes faster printing speeds and automatic updates.
Getting Started with the Packing App
Follow these steps to download, install, and configure your Packing App.
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Download and Install: The Packing App is available for Windows and macOS. Go to My Account > Apps and select the option for your operating system: Windows, Mac-Intel, or Mac-Apple Silicon (M chips).
Windows Users: You may see a security warning during installation. This is a standard Microsoft caution for new apps. The application is digitally signed and safe. Select the option to continue the installation.
- Select Your Printers: After launching the app, select your hardware from the dropdown menus at the top of the page. This setting is saved locally and only needs to be updated if you replace your hardware.
- Test Your Setup: There is no dedicated test print button. To verify your configuration, try shipping an order, printing an invoice, or printing an item barcode from the packing screen.
Updating the ShipHero Packing App
The current version of the Packing App is 1.5.1. The Packing App updates itself automatically.
- Close the Packing App and open it again. The app installs the latest version when it reopens.
- If the app does not update, download and install the latest version from My Account > Apps.
Packing App vs. Workstation App: What's the Difference?
The Packing App is not a replacement for the Workstation App. They serve different printing needs and maintain independent configurations. See How to Set Up a Workstation for more information.
| Feature | ShipHero Packing App | ShipHero Workstation App (Print Listener) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Goal | Streamline packing setup and local desktop printing from the Packing App interface. | Act as a bridge so the web dashboard and the Mobile app (for shipping labels) can communicate with local hardware (printers/scales). |
| Recommended Use | Printing labels and invoices from a desktop using the Packing App interface. | Printing from the web dashboard, and printing shipping labels from the ShipHero Mobile App. |
| Printing Method | Communicates directly with the local printer and scale. | Mediates communication between ShipHero cloud/apps and local hardware. |
Packing App Hardware and System Troubleshooting
Use this table to resolve common hardware, update, and configuration issues in the Packing App.
| Issue | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Hardware not in list | Go to Utilities > Reload Hardware to refresh the list. If the device still doesn't appear, confirm it is correctly configured in your operating system and try again. |
| Different printer config than Workstation | The Packing App maintains its own settings and does not sync with the Workstation App. |
| Scale is unresponsive | Unplug the scale from its power or USB source, then plug it back in to reset the connection. |
| Accessing support logs | Go to Utilities > Open Log Directory. |
| Packing App is not on the latest version | The current version is 1.5.1. Close the Packing App and open it again to install the update. If it still does not update, download and install the latest version:
|
| A link does nothing when selected | Starting with version 1.5.1, the Packing App blocks links that are not standard web links, such as local files, network shares, or links that open other apps. This is expected. If you need the link to work, contact ShipHero Support and include the link. |
| Firmware update fails | Starting with version 1.5.1, the Packing App downloads firmware only from ShipHero's official firmware server. On a restricted network, your network must allow that server. Contact ShipHero Support for the server details to share with your IT team. |