Get Started with Square KDS and Square for Retail
With Square KDS, you can connect to your Square Retail POS to allow you to access the retail-specific features you need to run your business while also getting you what you need to run your kitchen. This setup can be used by retail businesses that also sell made-to-order food such as grocery stores with delis or bookstores with coffee shops.
Note: this feature is only available on the Square for Retail app on Square Terminal and Square Register at this time.
Sign up for Square KDS
Before you can start creating and fulfilling orders with Square KDS, you’ll first need to sign up for the Square KDS subscription. From the Square KDS homepage, tap Get Started. You’ll have the option to sign up for a 30-day free trial before your subscription starts.
Buy Hardware
Square KDS is compatible with the Android devices listed below. The devices and mounting hardware are available on Square Shop:
If you choose to purchase any hardware from Square Shop, review our setup guide for Microtouch devices and the VESA mount.
Compatible hardware is available from third-party sellers:
Note: Square KDS is not available on Android phones. If you choose to use the app on a device not listed above, we cannot guarantee the quality of how Square KDS will appear on your device and we will prioritize any bug support to the devices listed above. For this reason, we recommend using one of the supported devices listed above. Learn more about getting started with Square KDS.
If you prefer an Android device not listed above, share your feedback in our Android KDS Feedback Survey.
Note: To make sure the Square app runs smoothly, update to the latest version of software available for your Android device.
Square is compatible with a wide variety of third-party hardware accessories. Depending on the device that you’re using, you’ll have different printer options such as USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Printer-driven. Learn more about Square hardware compatibility by device.
Set Up Square KDS and Hardware
Before you can set up your Square KDS hardware, you must download the app and sign in first. To download the Square KDS app:
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
- Tap the search field and search for Square KDS.
- Tap Install.
To create a device code for your Android device:
- Go to your online Square Dashboard and select Devices > Kitchen Settings > Kitchen Displays.
- Click Add a Kitchen Display.
- Enter a nickname and select a location.
- Select if you want the device to be a Prep or Expeditor station.
- Click Next.
- Select whether to have your code sent via email or phone number and click Send. You’ll need this code to sign in to the Square KDS app.
To set up your Square KDS to receive orders from Square for Retail:
- Open the Square KDS app on your Android device
- Tap Get started
- Enter the device code created from your Square Dashboard
- Follow the prompts to set the orders and categories of items to display, and your ticket layout. Note: these settings can also be updated from your KDS Settings.
You can connect a printer to your KDS to print order tickets for your customers for in-person, delivery and pickup orders. Note: Bluetooth printers are not supported with Square KDS for Android. Learn more about setting up your printer with Square KDS.
Before processing orders with your Square KDS, you’ll first need to set up categories. You’ll be able to rearrange, edit and delete categories from your online Square Dashboard. Learn more about creating and managing item categories.
Once your categories are created, you’ll be able to select which categories are displayed on your KDS. Use this to ensure that only items that the kitchen needs to know about appear on the KDS. To update what categories of items will appear on KDS:
- Tap into Settings or directly to Items on tickets.
- Toggle on or off the categories that you want to display items of on your KDS
Note: Tickets printed with Square KDS and Square for Retail will show information such as item/variation names, modifiers, notes and fulfillment type.
To view your orders:
- Open Square KDS and tap ≡ to open the menu.
- Tap the gear icon to view your settings, then tap Orders.
- Toggle on View Point of Sale Orders. If you take online or delayed fulfillment orders (e.g. pickup), toggle on View online or delayed fulfillment orders.
- Select when you want delayed fulfillment orders to display on KDS.
- Tap Save.
Note: Square for Retail does not support printing void tickets at this time. Learn more about printing order tickets with Square for Retail.
Saved Carts
With Square for Retail, saved carts function as open tickets. Saving a cart with kitchen-eligible items will create a Square KDS ticket. Adding new items and re-saving or charging the cart will also send those updates to the kitchen.
If you have KDS enabled, some Square Retail POS cart functionality will be either disabled or different.
Once a saved cart is sent to the KDS, order preparation details cannot be edited. The relevant fields will be locked in item details.
To change an order after it has been saved and sent to KDS, the whole item must be voided and re-added to the cart with the desired details. Information such as price and taxes can still be edited.
Items and Carts cannot be deleted, only voided. This allows you to keep track of orders that change after already being sent to KDS.
These changes will apply to all of your saved carts, regardless of whether they include kitchen items.
Fulfillment Types
When using Square KDS with Square for Retail, only fulfillment types such as in-store and pickup can be used to complete orders. Dining Options are not compatible with the Square for Retail app. The fulfillment type will be displayed on the KDS ticket.
Additional features on your Square Dashboard
Square KDS Subscription includes features such as:
Device Management: Manage your devices from your Square Dashboard by selecting Kitchen Settings.
Reports: the Kitchen Performance report shows your completed ticket count, average completed ticket time and average item completion time across all tickets by KDS device name, location and time frame. You can see your Kitchen Performance report from the Reports tab on your Square Dashboard.
Voided items: remove an item or charge from the customer bill without losing track of those details. Voided items will appear in Items > Settings > Comp and void in your online Square Dashboard.