Square Stand (2nd Generation) Guide

The Square Stand seamlessly turns your compatible iPad into a powerful point of sale with an intuitive, customer-driven checkout and integrated payments.
Whether you’re a restaurant, beauty salon or retailer, this all-in-one countertop device has a built-in contactless and chip card reader, making checkout a breeze without taking up bench space.
Set Up Hardware

First, connect the optional USB hub to the base of Square Stand using the attached USB-C cable. Using the hub allows you to connect additional USB accessories, such as a compatible USB printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner or scale.
Connect the USB hub into the power adapter by plugging in the USB-C cable attached to the power adapter. If you’re not using the hub, plug the power adapter directly into Square Stand.
Plug the power adapter cable into the power adapter, then plug the power adapter cable into a power outlet.
Slide your iPad into Square Stand and connect your iPad to the Lightning connector. You’ll know it’s secure when the security latch clicks.
To remove your iPad from Square Stand, pull the iPad out from the left-hand side, then gently push down on the raised security latch located next to the iPad’s camera. This will disconnect the iPad for easy removal.
You can also Mount and Secure Your Square Stand to your countertop as an optional setup step.
Remove Your iPad from Square Stand
Removing your iPad from the Square Stand should be done with care. Read the following instructions carefully to prevent damage to the iPad or Stand.
To remove your iPad from Square Stand:
Locate the raised security latch next to the iPad’s camera on the left.
Pull the security latch outwards and then down to disconnect the iPad.
Once unlatched, carefully slide the iPad out to the left. Take care not to pull the iPad up from Stand prior to disconnecting as this can damage the lightning connector.

Set Up Software
Download one of Square's free apps on your iPad. You can get started with the free Square Point of Sale app or one of our specialized apps including Square for Restaurants, Square for Retail, Square Appointments or Square Invoices.
Once you've downloaded the Square app best suited for your business, you can create a new account or log in with your email address and password to get started. Refer to the instructions below to learn more about common actions like creating items, setting up taxes, creating discounts and more.
To create an item:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Items > All Items.
- Tap Create Item > enter the appropriate information like name, price, SKU, etc.
- Tap Save.
Note: To change the appearance of how your items show on the Favourites screen, from the Checkout screen, hold down one of the gray squares and tap the + button to create an item or discount or select from the existing list.
Learn more about creating items on Square Stand.
To create modifier sets:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Items > Modifiers.
- Tap Create Modifier Set.
- From the New Modifier Set screen, provide a name, select the item(s) you want to assign the modifier set to under Apply Set, and input your modifier names and prices under the Modifiers section.
- Tap Save.
Note: If you’re editing or adding multiple items and/or modifiers, we suggest doing so through the Items page from your online Square Dashboard. Changes made through the dashboard will immediately appear on your Square Stand.
To create a new tax:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Settings > Checkout.
- Tap Taxes > Add a New Tax to add a new tax.
- From the New Tax screen, provide a name and percentage, configure the item pricing, and select which item(s) and/or service(s) you’d like the tax applied to during checkout.
- Tap Save.
To create a new discount:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Items > Discounts.
- Tap Create Discount.
- From the Create Discount screen, provide a name and specify the percentage or dollar amount you’d like the discount to be worth. You also have the option to Apply a discounts after taxes.
- Tap Save.
You can customise your customers’ checkout experience by choosing whether to enable the buyer-facing screen with itemised order summary, tipping, or receipt selection.
Note: Checkout options for Retail POS and Restaurants POS can be found in your online Square Dashboard under Devices.
To enable (default) or disable the buyer-facing screen:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Settings > Checkout > Payment.
- To enable the buyer-facing screen, make sure it is selected under the Defaults section at the top. If you choose to disable it, checkout will instead begin with a seller-facing menu of payment types.
- To provide an itemised summary of the customer’s cart on the buyer-facing screen, find the “Show order summary option” and toggle on to enable.
To enable tipping during checkout:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Checkout > Tipping
- Toggle on Collect Tips.
- Choose smart tip amounts or set percentage amounts.
- Choose to calculate tips before or after taxes.
- Optional: Toggle Allow Custom Amounts on/off.
Learn more about accepting tips with the Square App.
To skip the receipt screen after checkout:
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Checkout > Receipt.
- Toggle on Skip receipt screen to expedite checkout. Digital receipts will be sent automatically to customers who have opted ot receive them.
To create a new location:
- Go to Account & Settings from your online Square Dashboard.
- Go to Business > Locations.
- Click Create Location and enter the appropriate information, such as location name, address, business logo, business hours, etc.
- Click Save.
You can access your new location by logging out of your Square Point of Sale account and logging back in with the same email address and password. From here, you should see the option to select your new location. Learn more about managing multiple locations with Square Point of Sale.
To manage locations with device codes:
- Go to Devices from your online Square Dashboard.
- Click Add a Point of Sale.
- Enter a nickname for your Square Stand, select the appropriate location. Choose between standard, retail, or restaurants.
- Configure your POS settings for customer receipts, tipping, team management and cash management.
- Click Create.
You can send your device code by text message or email. This device code will be associated with the corresponding location and can be used to log in to the account associated with your location instead of using an email address and password.
Learn more about device codes and how they work with your business locations.
Learn more about viewing and customising reports from the online Square Dashboard and from the Square Point of Sale app.
The Square Stand details page provides a helpful summary of the current device status and information on USB accessories like printers, barcode scanners, Square Readers, scales and any other USB connected accessories.
With an additional tap, you can view important hardware information like serial number and software version, which is useful if you need to contact Square Support. You can also use this page to restart your Square Stand.
Once your iPad is docked into the Square Stand, to get started:
- Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Square Stand. This page provides your summary of connected devices and allows you to restart the device.
- Tap Get Help and then Device details to view detailed information like serial number and software version.
Hardware Accessories
Square Stand is compatible with USB, Bluetooth and Ethernet hardware accessories, including cash drawers, receipt printers, barcode scanners and USB scales. Learn how to Connect Recommended Hardware to Square Stand.

Pair with other Square Hardware
Square Stand (2nd generation) has a built-in contactless and tap reader that will work perfectly for most businesses. However, if you’d like to take payments at a greater distance or add a dedicated display, you can customise your setup by pairing Square Stand with one of the following.
Left: Square Reader (1st generation) with Dock for Square Reader (sold separately).
Right: Square Reader (2nd generation) with Bosstab Dock for Square Reader (sold separately).
Connecting a Square Reader to take payments at a distance is simple. Just plug the included USB cable (or optional Dock for Square Reader 1st generation) to the USB hub on the Square Stand. You can also pair Square Reader wirelessly using a BLE connection. Once the reader connects with your Square Stand, it will automatically activate during the checkout process of your next sale.
Features:
- Chip (EMV) cards
- Contactless cards
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Wireless
- Rechargeable battery
- Optional dock (sold separately via Square Shop)
Watch this video to learn how to connect the Square Stand and Reader.
Square Terminal is an all-in-one standalone product that can pair as a second customer-facing screen for the Square Stand. Square Terminal accepts all payment types: chip cards (EMV), contactless (NFC) cards,magstripe cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Simply pair the Terminal with the Stand via wireless connection, send a sale to the terminal, and allow your customer to complete the payment.
Features:
- Magstripe card
- Chip (EMV) card
- Contactless cards
- Magstripe card
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Wireless or Ethernet connection
- Rechargeable battery
- Second screen for distance customer use
- Standalone point of sale when not paired with Stand
- Receipt printer
Watch this video to learn more about connecting Square Terminal to your Stand.
Note: If using Square Terminal with Square Stand (2nd generation), we recommend disabling the Buyer-facing screen to make it easier to push payment to the Terminal. Do this by tapping More > Settings > Payment and toggling the default view to ‘All payment types.’ Learn more about identifying your Square Stand.
Use Your Square Stand
After you’ve set up your new Square Stand, you’ll be ready to start accepting payments!
Whether you need to quickly process a sale for one of your customers or review your transaction reporting for a specific time frame, Square Stand allows you to do it all.
- From the Checkout screen, enter a custom amount, add an item from your Library or Favourites page, or use a barcode scanner to scan the item’s UPC/SKU.
- Tap Charge and swivel the Square Stand to face your customer.
- Your customer can either tap or insert their card into the Square Stand, or use their mobile device for a contactless payment. They can also choose to enter their information after the sale to receive an email or text message receipt.
Learn more about accepting payments with Square Stand and Fees and Payments FAQ.
Note: The built-in Square Reader on Square Stand (2nd generation) will work if the Square Stand is powered by USB-C.
- From the Checkout screen, tap Add customer when reviewing your sale.
- Select an existing customer from your directory or tap Create Customer to add a new customer.
- From the existing customer’s directory profile, or from the newly created customer’s directory profile, tap Add to Sale.
- Tap Charge to complete the sale as normal.
Learn more about managing your Customer Directory through the online Square Dashboard.
- From the Square app, tap ≡ More > Transactions.
- Review your transaction history in chronological order, or use the search bar to locate transactions based on card number, phone number, customer name, receipt number, notes and/or item name.
Once you’ve located the transaction in question, you can take actions such as issuing a refund or resending a receipt. You’ll also have insights into the transaction as a whole, including items sold, payment method used, and customers associated with the transaction.
Learn more about reviewing your transaction history through the online Square Dashboard.
Ask the Seller Community
Square’s online Seller Community is another great resource for finding answers to common questions about using Square and a chance to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to. When you ask a question to the Community, another business owner can reply to share their experience or a member of the Community team will swoop in to help.
You can also subscribe to Product Updates to find out about Square’s newest features and tools for your business.
Troubleshooting
If you have any trouble with your Square Stand, check out the following articles for help.