Zebra ET401 setup guide: from box to first scan

This guide takes a new Zebra ET401 tablet from the box to its first scan. It follows Zebra's ET401 documentation for Android 15, the version the tablet ships with.

Before you start

Check the box

Zebra lists two items in the box: the ET401 tablet and a regulatory guide. There is no charger or cable. Check the tablet for transport damage, keep the packaging, and contact us if anything is wrong.

Before first use, peel the protective shipping film off the display, the scanner window and the camera windows. Film left on the scan window makes scanning unreliable.

Know your model

The ET401 comes as an 8-inch and a 10-inch tablet, with Wi-Fi only or with 5G, and in several tiers. Zebra's configuration table describes our ET401 (ET4010B-001C1B0P-A6) like this:

This model has no mobile network, so skip the SIM and eSIM steps in Zebra's guides.

Insert a microSD card (optional)

The microSD card holder sits in the battery well, under the battery. Skip this step if your apps don't need a card.

1. If the tablet is on, press and hold Power until the menu appears, then touch Power off. Never remove the battery while the tablet is on.
2. Hold the tablet down with one hand and lift the corner of the battery cover at the notch. Slide your thumb under the cover along the short edge and lift the edges to release the clips.
3. With a fingernail, slide the battery lock switch to the unlock position and hold it there. Lift the battery at its notch, rotate it up and take it out. Release the switch.
4. Pull out the card holder, place the microSD card in it with the contacts facing up, and push the holder back in.
5. Refit the battery contacts side first and rotate it down until it sits properly.
6. Insert the tabbed end of the battery cover into the slots in the battery well, rotate it down and press around the edges until it is seated.

Charge the battery fully

Connect the tablet to power and leave it until the battery is full before you use it for the first time. You can use the tablet while it charges. Choose one of these Zebra options:

The older USB-A to USB-C cable (CBL-TC5X-USBC2A-01) transfers data but does not charge the ET401. Zebra's quick start guide gives a charging range of 0–40 °C, while its battery safety guidelines ask for 5–40 °C, so charge at room temperature. From empty, Zebra's quick start guide quotes about 4 hours to 80 % for the 10-inch tablet. Its accessory guide quotes under 3 hours to 80 % with the 45 W USB PD charger.

The Charging indicator LED on the front shows the charging state:

Note that a switched-off ET401 switches itself on when you put it in a powered cradle. On the USB-C power supply it stays off and charges.

Switch on and run the setup wizard

Press and release Power. A new tablet starts the Android setup wizard, which asks for settings such as the language and a network. Follow the on-screen steps. The screens depend on the Android version and on how your company set up its devices.

When the Home screen appears, check the software: open Settings › About tablet to see the Android version and the build number. The serial number is under Settings › About tablet › Model.

Connect to Wi-Fi

1. Open Settings › Network & internet › Internet and switch Wi-Fi on.
2. Touch your network in the list, enter the password and touch Connect. Connected appears under the network name.
3. If the network is hidden, scroll to the bottom of the list, touch Add network, enter the Network name, choose the Security type, enter the password and touch Save.

For WPA/WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise networks you also choose an EAP method, a CA certificate and a domain, so ask your IT team for the settings. By default the tablet uses DHCP and no proxy.

The ET401 supports Wi-Fi 7 on 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz. Under Settings › Network & internet › Internet › Network preferences › Additional settings, the Wi-Fi frequency band is set to Auto by default. Leave it on Auto unless your IT team asks for a fixed band.

Scan your first barcode

Zebra's DataWedge app controls the SE4100 imager and types the scanned data into the app you have open. It is preinstalled and enabled.

1. Open an app with a text field, for example a notes app, and touch the field so the cursor is in it.
2. Point the scan window at a barcode.
3. Press and hold one of the scan buttons: the front scan button or the top scan button. An aiming dot with illumination appears.
4. Place the centre of the aiming dot on the barcode. Pick List Mode is on by default, so the imager only decodes the barcode under the dot.
5. On a good read the Data Capture LED lights green and the tablet beeps. The data appears in the field.

You can also test in the DWDemo app. The rear camera can scan too, but Zebra recommends it only for light use, below about 100 scans a day. To add Enter after each scan or set up your own app, see the DataWedge setup guide.

Fit the rugged boot and use the cradle

The tablet is sealed to IP68 and rated for 1.2 m drops to concrete, or 1.5 m with Zebra's optional rugged frame. For our 10-inch model with scanner, Zebra lists the rugged boot SG-ET401-10EXO-01. Boots made for the ET40 and ET45 don't fit the ET401.

1. Insert one side of the tablet into the rugged boot.
2. Push the other side of the tablet into the boot until it sits flush.

In the 4-Slot Charge-Only Cradle, turn each insert (marked L for 10-inch tablets) so the rugged boot icon is on top for tablets in boots, or the device icon for tablets without.

Keep the tablet updated

Zebra delivers Android updates and security patches for the ET401 as LifeGuard updates. The ET401 launched with Android 15, and Zebra lists Android 19 as its final supported version in its supported Android versions list. Zebra's spec sheet notes that LifeGuard requires a Zebra OneCare maintenance contract, so ask us about the right contract for your tablets.

LifeGuard updates and the reset files are on the Zebra ET401 support page. After an update, check that the build number under Settings › About tablet matches the package. Companies with many tablets usually update them centrally with an EMM system or Zebra StageNow.

Problems with charging or scanning? See ET401 troubleshooting. Upgrading from an older tablet? Read ET40 vs ET401, or browse all ET401 guides.