If you're using Ionic 4 with Cordova Android 11 (target SDK 34) and struggling with the original phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner The plugin is outdated or broken on newer Android versions, like mine—here's a working solution using a maintained fork.

1. Remove the original plugin (if installed):

   ionic cordova plugin rm phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner
   

2. Install the Android 12-compatible fork:

   ionic cordova plugin add https://github.com/Takkuz/phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner-android12

3. Important: Manually add the missing AAR file if needed (optional)

   This fork depends on a native .aar file that is not bundled, so you must:

   Download or copy barcodescanner-release-2.1.5.aar into:

   platforms/android/app/libs/
   

   Downloaded from

   https://github.com/phonegap/phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner/blob/master/src/android/barcodescanner-release-2.1.5.aar

4. Rebuild the project

   ionic cordova prepare android

   ionic cordova build android

Thank You!!