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Set up Square KDS

Who is this article for?
Sellers with the account and settings permission to configure hardware settings, and create, edit, and delete device profiles. Set permissions in the Square Dashboard.

About Square KDS

Square KDS is a kitchen display system that connects with Square Point of Sale, Square Online, Square for Restaurants, and third-party ordering and delivery platforms. Square KDS is included in the Square for Restaurants Plus Subscription or as a standalone KDS subscription.

Before you begin

To set up a Square KDS, you will need a compatible device. The following options are available from the Square Shop and third-party sellers:

Devices and mounting hardware available on Square Shop:

Compatible hardware available from third party sellers:

If you are currently using Square KDS on iPads, you will need to migrate your hardware and software in order to continue your team’s access to your kitchen display system. Learn more about this product change and how to prepare for it in our Seller Community.

You will also need to create a device code in order to sign in to your Square KDS and complete setup. Learn how to set up device codes

If you want to connect a printer to your Square KDS, you will need to create a printer profile and connect a printer to your point of sale. Learn how to set up printer profiles and connect a printer to your point of sale.

Step 1: Download the Square KDS app and sign in

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your device.

  2. Tap the search field and search for Square KDS.

  3. Tap Install.

  4. Sign into the Square KDS using your device code.

Step 2: Set your KDS ordering and fulfillment options

You can customize your Square KDS to show orders depending on where the order is placed (online or in person), and the dining option for an order (for here, to go, delivery, or pickup).

  1. Open Square KDS and tap to open the menu.

  2. Tap Settings > Routing

  3. Tap Sources & fulfillment.

  4. Toggle on the order source and dining options you want to display on your KDS.

Step 3: Select items to display

Square KDS displays items based on the categories you assign. To assign categories:

  1. Open Square KDS and tap to open the menu.

  2. Tap Settings > Routing.

  3. Tap Items & categories.

  4. Toggle on the categories that you want to display.

Step 4: Set your KDS layout

With Square KDS, you can toggle different layouts based on your preferred text size and the amount of tickets you want displayed. To adjust your layout settings:

  1. Open Square KDS and tap to open the menu.

  2. Tap Settings > Layout.

  3. Select your preferred layout.

  4. Select your text size.

Step 5: Set timers & alerts

To customize ticket timers and alerts:

  1. Open Square KDS and tap to open the menu.

  2. Tap Settings > Timer & alerts.

  3. Select the timeframe for yellow and red alerts.

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