diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c03b80e2..baf2a4ff 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -42,17 +42,15 @@ Note: Windows 10 applications can not be build for `AnyCPU` architecture, which
 cordova run windows -- --archs=x86
 ```
 
-Note: Since iOS 10 it's mandatory to add a `NSCameraUsageDescription` in the `Info.plist`.
+Note: Since iOS 10 it's mandatory to add a `NSCameraUsageDescription` in the info.plist.
 
-`NSCameraUsageDescription` describes the reason that the app accesses the user's camera.
-When the system prompts the user to allow access, this string is displayed as part of the dialog box. If you didn't provide the usage description, the app will crash before showing the dialog. Also, Apple will reject apps that access private data but don't provide an usage description.
+`NSCameraUsageDescription` describes the reason that the app accesses the user’s camera.
+When the system prompts the user to allow access, this string is displayed as part of the dialog box.
 
-To add this entry you can use the `edit-config` tag in the `config.xml` like this:
+To add this entry you can pass the following variable on plugin install.
 
 ```
-<edit-config target="NSCameraUsageDescription" file="*-Info.plist" mode="merge">
-    <string>To scan barcodes</string>
-</edit-config>
+cordova plugin add phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner --variable CAMERA_USAGE_DESCRIPTION="To scan barcodes"
 ```
 
 ### PhoneGap Build Usage
@@ -61,7 +59,9 @@ Add the following to your config.xml:
 
 ```
 <!-- add a version here, otherwise PGB will use whatever the latest version of the package on npm is -->
-<plugin name="phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner" />
+<plugin name="phonegap-plugin-barcodescanner">
+  <param name="CAMERA_USAGE_DESCRIPTION" value="To scan barcodes." />
+</plugin>
 ```
 On PhoneGap Build if you're using a version of cordova-android of 4 or less, ensure you're building with gradle:
 ```
diff --git a/plugin.xml b/plugin.xml
index 733db7fc..6b20ff0a 100644
--- a/plugin.xml
+++ b/plugin.xml
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@
         <param name="ios-package" value="CDVBarcodeScanner"/>
       </feature>
     </config-file>
+    <config-file target="*-Info.plist" parent="NSCameraUsageDescription">
+      <string>$CAMERA_USAGE_DESCRIPTION</string>
+    </config-file>
+    <preference name="CAMERA_USAGE_DESCRIPTION" default=" "/>
     <resource-file src="src/ios/scannerOverlay.xib"/>
     <resource-file src="src/ios/CDVBarcodeScanner.bundle"/>
     <header-file src="src/ios/zxing-all-in-one.h"/>