An apparatus and method for updating features on an image scanning apparatus has a client computing device capture and decode an image of a first symbol that encodes data that identifies the image scanning apparatus, request a server to enable a feature on the image scanning apparatus, receive activation data from the server to enable the feature, and generate an image of a second symbol on a display of the client computing device that encodes the activation data. The image scanning apparatus captures and decodes an image of the second symbol, and uses the decoded activation data to enable a feature resident on the image scanning apparatus or to request a download of the feature from the client computing device if the feature is not resident on the image scanning apparatus. The client computing device downloads the feature from the server, and uploads the feature to the image scanning apparatus.