Square Reader for Magstripe FAQ
Review common questions about Square Reader.
Your new Square Reader should arrive within 10 business days. If it doesn’t, follow these steps.
Most issues with Square Reader can be fixed with these troubleshooting steps.
If you are new to Square and haven’t ordered a Square Reader yet, you can order a Square Reader directly from the Square Shop.
If you have already received your Square Reader for Magstripe, you can purchase additional Square Readers from the Square Shop for 10 dollars.
Yes, Square Reader is universal. It doesn’t store any specific account or bank account information, and it can be used to accept payments from multiple Square accounts.
If you bought your Square Reader at a participating retail store, enter the redemption code printed on the inside of the reader packaging.
Apple devices running iOS 15 or above, and most Android devices running the latest version of Android OS are supported — as long as they also have a 3.5mm headphone jack or Lightning connector and location services.
Check to see if your device is compatible, or learn how to update your device’s software.
We don’t officially support audio jack adaptors or extension cables, but our merchants recommend a few that work well.
Yes, if you need a Square Reader today, you can pick one up at a participating retail store. Search for a Square Reader at a retail location near you.
We recommend calling to make sure they are in stock before going to the store.
The Square Reader for Magstripe processes magnetic stripe cards only, but you can use the Square Reader for contactless and chip to accept chip cards.
If you have an iPhone 7 or newer, you can use the new Square Reader for Magstripe with Lightning connector. You can order a Square Reader from our Square shop and get started processing payments.
If you are using a device that does not have a headset jack, you can use the headset adapter included with your device that enables you to connect 3.5mm audio accessories, like your favorite headphones or the Square Reader, to the device’s main port (like a USB-C port).
We also recommend using the Square Reader for contactless and chip with your new device, as it connects wirelessly with Bluetooth LE. You can also accept contactless card payments, chip card payments, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.