Swipe Card Payments with the Square Magnetic Stripe Card Reader
Square allows you to quickly swipe Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB cards on your mobile device using a magnetic stripe card reader that is plugged into your device. Note: The magnetic stripe card reader no longer comes with the Square Reader and is not sold separately. The Square Reader is compatible with the latest version of the Square app on any supported device.
Note: Since processing a payment using contactless technology or a chip is more secure than using the magnetic stripe, you will only be able to swipe a chip card using the magnetic stripe card reader if the contactless technology or chip in your customer’s card is faulty and cannot be read. Alternatively, if your customer has a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB card that was issued internationally without contactless technology or a chip, you will be able to swipe it.
How to Swipe Card Payments
Open the Square app and firmly plug the magnetic stripe card reader into the device’s headset jack until you hear a click. Note: You may need to remove your device case or cover to fully connect the reader.
Add items to the current sale or tap the keypad icon to add custom amounts. If you’re using a supported barcode scanner, you can scan an item’s barcode with a SKU saved to your item library. Note: At least $1.00 needs to be charged to process a card payment.
Swipe the card smoothly and quickly through the reader with the magnetic stripe facing the thick side of the reader. To split a payment between multiple payment methods, use Split Tender.
If you have signatures enabled, have your customer sign with their finger. Your customer can also leave a tip if tipping is enabled. To cancel the payment before it’s been processed, tap the X icon or the back arrow to return to the previous screen.
Tap Done Signing, and pick the customer’s preferred receipt option. With a supported receipt printer, you can also print a receipt and/or kitchen ticket.
After a payment completes, the final screen will read All Done.
If you have trouble swiping with your magnetic stripe card reader, try these troubleshooting tips.