Set up Square Kiosk Lite

About Square Kiosk Lite

Square Kiosk Lite app can be paired with Square Stand hardware to create, it creates a self-service kiosk that empowers customers to place orders and complete the checkout flow independently. The Square Stand (Mount) hardware (formerly known as Square Kiosk) is most commonly configured as an iPad-based kiosk, as it can be easily attached to a wall, secured to a countertop, or fixed to a VESA-compatible floor stand anywhere in your venue. With built-in contactless and chip card readers, you can process card payments either by tapping or inserting a card, as well as accepting mobile tap payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

As a different use case, Square Stand (Mount) can also function as a space-saving point of sale device that can run any Square point of sale app, not just the Square Kiosk Lite Lite app. This option is ideal for businesses that operate out of small or narrow spaces and need to mount their point of sale device to a wall.

Before you begin

• You can set up your Square Kiosk Lite by installing your Square Stand (Mount), creating a device code from your Square Dashboard, and signing into the Square Kiosk Lite Lite app.

• Before you can use Square Kiosk Lite and Square Stand as a self-serve order station to accept orders, print order tickets, and accept cash sales, you need a compatible iPad with the Square Kiosk Lite app installed. You also need at least one active point of sale device (phone, iPad, or Square hardware) using the Square Point of Sale app.

• If you are using a compatible iPad Air or iPad Pro with Square Stand (v2), check that the adapter fits inside the Square Stand's nest and that it is in the proper position. 

• Simply insert the included Adapter for iPad Air and iPad Pro into the nest of the Stand prior to placing your iPad into the Stand. The adapter is only required for iPad Air and iPad Pro. If you need a replacement adapter, you can purchase one from Square Shop.

• iPad compatibility varies depending on which Square Stand (Mount) version you have. To check if your iPad is compatible with Square Stand (Mount), go to our device compatibility page.

Step 1: Install Square Stand (Mount) hardware

Square Stand (Mount) has four different installation options to suit your business:

• Angled wall mount 

• Flat wall mount

• Countertop mount

• VESA mount

Step 2: Set up your Square Kiosk Lite app

To sign in to the Square Kiosk app for the first time, you need to first go through initial setup and create a device code from your Square Dashboard on a computer or iPad.

1. Sign in to Square Dashboard and go to Settings > Device management > Kiosk Lite.

2. Select Get Kiosk Lite.

3. If applicable, confirm the new device costs associated with your plan.

4. Select the location where you’ll use the kiosk.

5. Enter a name for the kiosk and click Next.

6. Select what item categories you want to show on your Square Kiosk Lite menu. You can edit these later. Learn how to edit Square Kiosk Lite menu items and categories.

7. Associate images with each category that will display on your kiosk by using existing images from your image library or uploading new images:

   • Click the gray image icon next to the category > select images or click Upload new images > Done. If you don’t have category images, the kiosk will automatically use an available image from one of the category’s items.

8. Click Next.

9. Click I have hardware if you’ve already purchased your Square Stand. If you haven’t, click Shop hardware to buy now or Skip to do this later.

10. Download the Square Kiosk Lite app to your iPad and make note of your 12-digit device code. You can also click Copy to copy or Send device code to send by email or text message.

11. Click Done.  

You’re now on the Square Kiosk Lite app Settings page where you can manage all aspects of your kiosk experience:

• Manage Square Kiosk Lite app devices and settings

• Edit Categories and Items

• Edit branding

• Create new devices

Step 3: Sign in to the Square Kiosk Lite app

1. Make sure a compatible iPad is plugged into the Square Stand (Mount). If the iPad is disconnected from the Square Stand (Mount), you will not be able to use the Square Kiosk Lite app.

2. Open the Square Kiosk Lite app on your compatible iPad and tap Sign in.

3. Enter the device code you generated on Square Dashboard to sign in to the Square Kiosk Lite app.

If the new device code is not used within 48 hours, the device code will expire and you’ll need to reset it to sign in to your Square Kiosk Lite app. 

After you set up your first kiosk, you can set up device codes for additional kiosk devices. Learn how to set up device codes.

Step 4: Print kitchen tickets for Square Kiosk Lite orders (optional)

Square Stand, when used as a self-serve ordering station with the Square Kiosk Lite app, cannot directly connect to accessories like barcode scanners and receipt printers via USB, Wi-Fi/Ethernet, or Bluetooth.

You can print Square Kiosk Lite app order tickets from your companion point of sale devices if they are connected to your kitchen printers. Learn how to set up printer profiles and connect a printer to your point of sale.

To send your Square Kiosk Lite app orders to your kitchen printer through your companion point of sale device from the Square POS apps:

1. On your point of sale app on your companion point of sale device.

2. Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Printers.

3. Tap Profiles and select a printer profile.

4. Tap Edit next to Profile details and toggle ON Online & Kiosk Lite order tickets.

5. Tap Save.

If you are printing by category, make sure that the categories enabled for Square Kiosk Lite are selected in the printer profile as well.

These kitchen tickets will print through the printer setup via your point of sale device, along with any other kitchen ticket created from a point of sale order.

Learn how to print order tickets from your point of sale.

​​Step 5: Lock the Square Kiosk Lite app (recommended)

You can set up Guided Access to prevent customers from tampering with your kiosk or closing the Square Kiosk Lite app. Guided Access limits your iPad to only allowing use of the Square Kiosk Lite app.

1. Open your iPad’s Settings app and go to Accessibility > Guided Access.

2. Toggle Guided Access ON. 

3. Set a Guided Access Passcode.

4. Open the Square Kiosk Lite app on your iPad.

5. Triple-click the side button or the Home button.

6. Tap Guided Access > Start. 

Learn more about Guided Access in Apple’s Guided Access support article.

Sign out of the Square Kiosk Lite app 

1. Tap the three lines (≡) in the top right corner of the Get Started screen to open settings.

2. Enter your passcode for access to Device settings.

3. Tap Sign Out.

Create signs for your kiosk

Square provides downloadable sign options, including an easy-to-download PDF and a vendor for national printing:

• Retractable banner

• Blade sign

• Wall poster

Use Square Stand as a point of sale

Since Square Stand (Mount) is powered by an iPad, you can also access the Square POS app through your Square Stand (Mount). Using Square Stand (Mount) as a point of sale functions the same as Square Stand (2nd generation), but without the built in swivel.

Learn how to set up Square Stand (2nd generation) and accept payments with Square Stand.

Related articles

• Manage your Square Kiosk Lite software subscription

• Adjust Square Kiosk Lite checkout and order notification settings

• Preview your customer ordering experience on Square Kiosk Lite

• Edit Square Kiosk Lite menus, items, and categories

• Create, assign, and edit Square Kiosk Lite profiles