Set Up the Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

There are two generations of Square Reader for contactless and chip: Square Reader (1st generation) and Square Reader (2nd generation). Both generations have the same setup process. To learn about the differences between the generations of readers, view our guide on how to identify your Square Reader for contactless and chip.

You can purchase a Square Reader for contactless and chip directly from the Square Shop, or pick one up from one of our retail partners.

Before setting up your Square Reader for contactless and chip, make sure you have a compatible device with the latest version of the Square app.

Square Reader (1st generation)

Square Reader (2nd generation)

For a full overview on setting up your Square Reader for contactless and chip, watch this video:

1. Check the Battery of Your Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

For an accurate battery reading, unplug your reader from any power source.

Firmly press the button on the reader. Green lights indicate that you’re charged and ready to go. If you see a single red light, charge up immediately. Once your reader is on, you don’t need to worry about turning it off. It’ll automatically go into a low power state after 2 hours of inactivity. To wake it up from the low power state, firmly press and release the power button on the reader.

2. Charge Your Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

Connect one end of the accompanying USB cable to your reader and the other end to a USB port like a cell phone charger, computer, or car charger.

It will take around 2 hours for a reader with a low battery to charge completely.

3. Wirelessly Connect Your Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

The new reader connects wirelessly with Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE). Be sure you have the latest version of the Square app for your device.

To connect your reader:

1. Press and release the button on your reader to turn it on.

2. Go to your device settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

3. Open the Square app and tap More from the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen.

4. Tap Settings > Hardware > Card Readers > Connect a Reader.

5. Put your reader into pairing mode by pressing the reader’s button for three to five seconds. Remove your finger as soon as you see orange flashing lights. If you see red flashing lights, you’ve held the button too long and you’ll need to try again.

6. In the app, a pairing confirmation will appear, make sure to tap Pair to complete the pairing process.

   1. On Android devices, quickly tap Pair and Pair & connect each time you are prompted until the connection is successful. If the connection fails, start the pairing process over and make sure to accept all Pair and Pair & connect prompts within 5 seconds.

Note: Due to extended security measures, some Android devices will require multiple confirmations during the pairing process. We apologize for any inconvenience and are actively working with Android to help make this process easier.

When connected, you will see the reader listed as Ready in the Square app.

Any necessary firmware updates will be automatically installed once the reader has been connected. The wireless connection can be lost if the reader and device are more than 10 feet apart.

Note: Processing payments in Offline Mode is currently unavailable with the Square Reader for contactless and chip.

Keep in mind, if you are reconnecting a reader that was previously paired to a different device, you may need to forget your reader from the device it was previously paired with. For more information on reconnecting a reader, check out our troubleshooting article.

Now that you’re set up, learn more about accepting chip card and contactless payments.

Square Reader for Contactless and Chip (1st generation) Connectivity

This Square Reader for contactless and chip will go into a low power state if it hasn’t taken a payment for a while, and will remain connected to your device for up to 8 hours. Any interaction with the reader through Point of Sale will wake it up from this low power state as long as the reader is within 10 ft. of the device. The reader will power off completely after 8 hours of inactivity. After this point, you will need to press the button on the reader to reconnect.

Square Reader for Contactless and Chip (2nd generation) Connectivity

Stay Connected is a feature built into this Square Reader for contactless and chip. This feature aims to maintain connectivity, improve reliability, help save battery, and eliminate the need to press the power button to re-pair the reader after a period of inactivity.

Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) will go into a low power state if it hasn’t taken a payment for a while, and will remain connected to your device for up to 30 days. Any interaction with the reader through the previously paired Point of Sale will wake it up as long as the reader is within 10 ft. of the device. The reader will power off completely after 30 days of inactivity. After this point, you will need to press the button on the reader to reconnect. 

Note: Stay Connected only works if the Square Reader(s) have been paired to the device already. If the reader has never been paired to the device, you’ll need to go through the initial pairing process.

Not sure which Square Reader you have? Learn how to identify your Square Reader.

Protect Your Reader

Get the most life out of your Square Reader for contactless and chip by avoiding damage to the hardware. Certain attachments and environments can cause damage to Square Reader for contactless and chip over time and shorten the lifespan of your device. To protect your device:

• Avoid using Square Reader for contactless and chip in wet environments, and avoid getting water or liquid in the dip slot. Taking dip payments with wet credit cards can also cause water damage. 

• Do not use strong magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners (like Velcro), adhesive, or mounting hardware not tested by Square to frequently mount and unmount Square Reader for contactless and chip. Use of third-party accessories not tested by Square to secure Square Reader for contactless and chip to surfaces can add tension or pressure to the device, which can cause damage.

• Move Square Reader for contactless and chip away from sources of Bluetooth interference, such as near microwave ovens, cordless phones, or fluorescent lights or on a metal table.

To protect your Square Reader for contactless and chip from everyday wear and tear, we recommend using the compatible cases and docks featured in Square Shop. These cases fit a variety of mobile phones and tablets.

Keep your Square Reader for contactless and chip in place for quick and seamless countertop transactions by attaching it to a compatible dock. Before placing an order, make sure your reader and dock are compatible. Learn more about identifying the differences between Square Reader (1st generation) and Square Reader (2nd generation).

What do the lights mean?

Connecting your reader

Accepting a payment

Checking your battery

Square Stand and the Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

If you’re using a Square Stand with the reader, set up is simple. Just plug the included USB cable to the USB hardware hub on the Square Stand.

You can also connect your reader wirelessly if there are no free USB ports on your stand’s hardware hub. 

Note: The iPad 2 doesn’t wirelessly connect with the reader and requires a Square Stand to connect via USB.

Watch this video to learn how to connect the Square Stand and reader:

Find answers to frequently asked questions and review these reader troubleshooting tips if you run into any issues.