Clear Your Android Device’s Bluetooth Cache

Removing your Android device’s cache files may help fix disconnection issues. You can clear the Bluetooth's data cache on the phone or tablet to completely reset Bluetooth—this is harmless both to your device and to your Square Reader for contactless and chip. You can do this by Clearing Cache from your Android’s settings or by manually removing the paired device in your Bluetooth settings.

Note: Removing cache files is not possible on iOS devices.

Android 13 users: You will need to remove the Square Reader from the list of Bluetooth devices in order to clear the cache.

Android 14 users: The option to clear the Bluetooth storage cache is no longer available with Android 14.

To manually forget a device paired via Bluetooth on Android:

1. Navigate to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth.

2. Tap the appropriate device name or the Settings gear icon.

3. Tap Forget or Unpair.

To clear Bluetooth storage cache on Android:

1. Open Settings, and then tap Apps.

2. Tap the Sort icon (the down arrow with three vertical bars), then tap Show system apps.

3. Tap OK and all the system apps will appear in the list.

4. Go to the Settings on your Android device and select Apps.

5. Click ⋮ to display your system apps.

6. Select Bluetooth from the list of apps, then select Storage.

7. Tap Clear Cache and exit your Settings.

8. Restart your device and try pairing it to your Square Reader for contactless and chip again.

If the steps are a bit different on your particular Android device, you may want to search how to clear the Bluetooth cache for your specific Android device.

Pair Square Reader for contactless and chip with Android

Due to extended security measures, some Android devices will require multiple confirmations during the pairing process with Square Reader for contactless and chip. 

Please follow the prompts on your screen until the "Pair and Connect" banner resolves and you receive confirmation that the connection was successful. 

Note: The same prompt may pop up more than once. If the connection fails and you are unable to pair your Android with your Square Reader for contactless and chip, try again and make sure to accept all “Pair” prompts within 5 seconds of them appearing on your screen.

To pair your Square Reader for contactless and chip in-app:

1. From the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen, tap More.

2. Tap Settings > Hardware > Square readers.

3. Tap Connect a Reader.

4. Tap Pair on the prompt to confirm the Bluetooth pairing request.

5. On Android devices, quickly tap Pair and Pair & connect each time you are prompted until the connection is successful. 

   1. If the connection fails, start the pairing process over and make sure to accept all Pair and Pair & connect prompts within 5 seconds.

Learn more about connecting your Square Reader via Bluetooth.