Accept Payments with the Square Reader
The Square Reader connects to your compatible device via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), so it’s compatible with a wide range of devices – even ones that don’t have a headphone port. You accept chip and PIN and contactless cards or devices such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Afterpay Card and other contactless smartphones and watches. Square Reader is not compatible with Offline Mode at this time.
There are two generations of Square Reader: Square Reader (1st generation) and Square Reader (2nd generation). Processing fees, supported card brands, device setup and payment acceptance are the same across the generations. Learn more about the differences and how to identify your Square Reader.
Square’s standard processing fee of 1.75% + VAT per transaction applies to all card payment types – chip and PIN, contactless and magnetic stripe (for international cards).
The following card types aren’t currently supported: Discover, JCB or Union Pay, but you can accept all other supported card brands.
After you set up your Square Reader with your device, you can accept payments.
Watch this video to learn how to accept payments with Square Reader (2nd generation):
Watch this video to learn how to accept payments with Square Reader (1st generation):
Accept Chip and PIN Payments
Follow these steps to accept chip and PIN payments with both generations of the Square Reader:
When your customer is ready to check out:
Make sure your reader is connected with your device.
Open the Square app, finalise your sale, and then tap Charge. Note: If you’re using a mobile device, or your tablet is being used in Portrait mode (vertically), tap Review Sale > Charge.
Insert the chip and PIN card (chip-side first with the front of the card facing up) into the wide port on the top of your reader and turn the device screen to the customer for PIN entry.
Once the PIN has been entered, make sure that the customer has tapped the blue tick button.
When you see four green lights on the reader, hear a beep and see a confirmation message in the app, the payment has successfully completed and you can remove the chip and PIN card. If the customer wants a digital receipt, they can enter their phone number or email address on the confirmation screen.
Accept Contactless Payments
Follow these steps to accept contactless payments with both generations of the Square Reader:
When you’re ready to charge your customer:
Make sure your reader is connected with your device.
Open the Square app, finalise your sale and then tap Charge. Note: If you’re using a mobile device, or your tablet is being used in Portrait mode (vertically), tap Review Sale > Charge.
When you see one green light on the reader, it’s ready to take your customer’s payment. Ask your customer to hold their card or device over the reader to complete the sale.
When you see four green lights, hear a beep and see a confirmation in the Square app, the payment has successfully completed. If the customer wants a digital receipt, they can enter their phone number or email address on the confirmation screen. Turn the confirmation screen to the customer if they want to receive a digital copy of the receipt.
Enable Card Network Sounds
To enable or disable the card network audio tone for the Square POS app upon completion of a successful transaction:
Tap ≡ More.
Tap Settings > Checkout > Payment sounds.
Toggle on or off Allow card network sounds.
If enabled, the tone will only be heard for inserted or contactless transactions on applicable card network debit and credit cards.
For more information, review frequently asked questions about the Square Reader.