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Identify Your Square Reader

Square Reader for Magstripe

Square Reader has gone through several iterations over its life lifecycle. The original Square Reader for magstripe plugs directly into your device and processes swipe transactions only. The Square Reader for magstripe has two versions; one with a headset jack and one with a Lightning connector for iOS devices. Connect your Square Reader for magstripe (with headset jack) to USB-C devices, such as iPhone 15 and Android phones, with a supported adapter.

Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st and 2nd generation)

There are two generations of our contactless, Bluetooth-enabled Square Reader for contactless and chip: Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation) and Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation). Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation) has three versions, and Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) has one version. Learn how to identify the exact generation and version of your Square Reader for contactless and chip below.

Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation)

The location of the power button, chip card reader slot, and LED lights on the Square reader.


Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation)


Identify Your Square Reader’s Generation

Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation) and Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) have physical differences that can help you determine which generation the Reader belongs to.

Feature Square Reader for contactless and chip
(1st generation)
Square Reader for contactless and chip
(2nd generation)
Charging port micro-USB USB-C
Power button Located on the left side of charging port
Located on the right side of charging port
NFC logo NFC logo facing away from the reader’s chip card slot (card entry point) NFC logo facing the reader’s chip card slot (card entry point)
Serial Number Format:
xxxxMMMMxxxxxxxx
(5th – 8th characters)
MMMM =
S070, S092, S084, S095, S098,
S103, S127, S109, S130, S146,
S148, S192, S193
MMMM =
S171, S172


Identify which version of Square Reader for contactless and chip you have

To identify the exact version of your Square Reader for contactless and chip within a generation, you will need to locate the serial number on the back of the reader.

All Square Readers for contactless and chip have a 16-digit serial number. Each Square Reader lists their version number in the 5th to 8th digits of the serial number like this XXXXMMMMXXXXXXXX. Once you locate the serial number, refer to the MMMM sequence in the serial number.

Product Name Generation Version MMMM Sequence* Charging Port
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) 2nd generation Version 1 (v1) S171, S172 USB-C charging port
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v3)

1st generation

Version 3 (v3) S109, S130, S146, S148, S192, S193


Micro USB charging port
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v2) Version 2 (v2) S084, S095, S098, S103, S127
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v1) Version 1 (v1) S070, S092

*(characters 5-8) to identify Square Reader for contactless and chip model

If you are still having trouble identifying your Square Reader for contactless and chip, contact Square Support and we can help get you back to business.

Features by version of Square Reader

Square Readers for contactless and chip have different features depending on the generation and version of the reader. See the chart and explanation below for more information.

Product Name Version Offline Payments Stay Connected
Square Reader (2nd generation) Version 1 (v1) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Square Reader (1st generation, v3) Version 3 (v3) ✅ Yes ❌ No
Square Reader (1st generation, v2) Version 2 (v2) ❌ No ❌ No
Square Reader (1st generation, v1) Version 1 (v1) ❌ No ❌ No

Offline Payments

With offline payments, you can accept payments when your Internet service is temporarily unavailable. Offline payments are processed automatically when you reconnect your device to the Internet. If you do not reconnect within 24 hours of the start of your offline session, any offline payments taken will not be processed.

Learn more about offline payments specifics for offline session duration, Square hardware, connected hardware, and accepted payment types.

Stay Connected 

Stay Connected is a feature built into Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) 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 awhile and will remain connected to your device for 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.


 Compatible Accessories

Left: Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation) with Square Dock (no longer sold).
Right: Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) with Bosstab Dock (sold separately).

Product Name Compatible Dock
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation, v1) Grey Bosstab Dock (only)
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v3)

White Square Dock (no longer sold) or Grey Bosstab Dock
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v2)
Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation, v1)

Other Accessories

Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st and 2nd generation) is compatible with a wide range of third-party hardware accessories that transform your reader into a complete mobile or countertop POS. Compatible hardware accessories including phone and tablet cases, receipt printers, scales, barcode scanners, and more can be purchased in Square Shop

View a complete list of compatible accessories for Square hardware.