LEGO Minifigures Series 26 seems to have scannable codes again…what happens next?

A complete set of LEGO Minifigures Series 26 appeared recently and looks to confirm that the boxes are again scannable. This is what it means for Brick Search, what comes next, and how you can help.

LEGO Minifigures Series 26 has been revealed ahead of its official release on May 1 and continues with the LEGO Group’s recent move away from foil bags in favour of blind cardboard boxes. Thanks to an early in-store discovery of a complete box of this upcoming series, we also now know that the square data matrix codes on the bottom of the individual boxes are once again being used. These QR-style codes were introduced midway through production of Series 25 and meant that with the use of the Brick Search app it became possible to scan the box and identify the minifigure inside, without having to open it.

This early glimpse at the packaging for the new Series 26 suggests we will be able to do the same again come May 1, but this is not yet verified, so what happens next? Will all boxes be scannable? What regions will this be for? And how do I get 12 Ice Planet penguins on release day? Brick Search is here with the very latest information on what we know for sure and what the next steps are.

Series 25 – a recap

The LEGO Group introduced data matrix codes – similar to QR codes – midway through production of Series 25 packaging. The newer, larger codes contained data uniquely identifiable to each of the 12 characters in the Minifigures series and meant that with the use of the Brick Search app’s minifigure scanner you could scan the box and find out which character was inside without having to open it. The smaller data matrix codes on some Series 25 boxes were from earlier production runs, did not contain uniquely identifiable information locked to each character and were not scannable.

How do I scan Minifigures?

Simply open up the Brick Search app, select the blue camera button at the bottom, line up the data matrix code and the app will do the rest.

Having trouble? Watch the below video demonstration. Still struggling? Check internet connection, cover up the barcode next to the data matrix code, or check our troubleshooting FAQs…

Where do I download Brick Search?

Brick Search is available to download for Android devices from the Play Store here, while for iOS devices, Brick Search can be download here from the App Store.

Alternatively, search Brick Search in your app store of choice and find us there.

You can also scan the QR code below with the camera on your mobile device if you’re reading this on a desktop computer. Your device will then open the app store and you’ll be able to download Brick Search.

Different codes in different regions?

There were different sets of larger, scannable codes for Series 25: one set relating to minifigures produced and/or released in the UK and Europe, and another set for minifigures produced and/or released in North America and Rest of the World.

It is not yet confirmed if there will be one, two, or even more sets of codes in use for Series 26. Brick Search is first working to verify the codes on the minifigures that were found in a European store at the end of March, but this will only confirm codes for the UK/EU market.

Verifying these UK/EU codes will not be enough to confirm whether or not these codes will be unique to the UK/EU market until we can verify codes for the US/North America/ROW market when boxes of Series 26 begin to appear in that region.

Verifying the codes

Brick Search is working on verifying and testing the codes for at least the UK/EU market ahead of the scheduled May 1 release date for Series 26, and will program them into the app ahead of that date too.

This means that as soon as Series 26 officially goes on sale on May 1, at least for the UK/EU market you will be able to scan the boxes, identify which minifigures are inside, and buy exactly the ones that you want (and in whatever quantity you can find – army of Ice Planet penguins, here we come).

What does that mean for Series 26 boxes produced and released in other territories outside of the UK/EU? We don’t yet know if Series 26 will follow the pattern of Series 25 and have two different sets of codes depending on where the minifigures were produced and released. It’s possible that this time round, the codes will be universal worldwide, but equally possible that the LEGO Group follows the Series 25 formula and uses different codes for the US/North America/ROW region.

When we verify and add codes to the Brick Search app we will update users via push notifications in the app. If you have these turned off or miss the message, you can also keep up to date on all things app-related via Brick Search’s Instagram, Twitter/X, or Facebook accounts, or by subscribing to the new Brick Search newsletter (coming soon).

How you can help…

If you’re in North America/Rest of the World and you come across Series 26 minifigures prior to May 1, please let us know. Emailing [email protected] is the best way to get in touch, but you can also reach us on Instagram, Twitter/X or Facebook.

Doing so allows us to identify and verify the codes for each Series 26 minifigure in the North America/ROW region and add them to Brick Search, ready for release on May 1.

For the UK/EU market, you can also help us to verify the codes already found in your region if and when you come across them in stores.

So wherever you are based, if you come across Series 26 Minifigures and have some information on codes, we’d love to hear from you.

Spotting the data matrix codes and realising that they could be read by certain scanners began in the LEGO community and is what prompted Brick Search to identify a way to make scanning for minfigures fun, convenient and reliable with our minifigure scanner. We have been humbled by the response to the app from LEGO fans around the world so far, and we want to continue helping you all scan and identify minifigures for Series 26 and beyond – your assistance makes that possible, so get in touch!

What if we can’t verify the codes before May 1?

The worst-case scenario is we can’t get the codes loaded into Brick Search in time for people to scan Series 26 minifigures first thing on May 1 – even if that’s the case it’ll only be a short delay until we can. In such a scenario we should at least have the UK and Europe codes confirmed and working by mid-morning on release day, and the North American/ROW codes by mid-morning US time (if they are different again). In any case, we will keep you updated and informed as we make progress counting down to May 1.

In the meantime, check out the 12 minifigures from Series 26 on the app now and add the ones you are after to your wishlist…

You can download Brick Search for iOS devices here, and here for Android devices, or scan the QR code if you’re reading this on a desktop computer.

For any Brick Search-related feedback, questions or issues, or just if you want to say hello, get in touch at [email protected].

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