iPad and Tablet POS Guide

This guide covers using the Showpass iPad app for on-site ticket sales, including standard iPad POS mode and Kiosk Mode for unattended self-serve stations. If your staff is using iPads or tablets, this is your primary path.

Download the Showpass app for iOS

Overview

The Showpass iPad app (Point of Sale) is a publicly available app on the App Store. It turns any iPad into a full-featured POS for selling tickets on-site at your events. The same app also includes Kiosk Mode, a self-serve checkout experience for attendees.

Key capabilities:

• In-app Square Terminal: pair and process card payments directly inside the app.
• In-app printing: receipt and ticket printing handled natively. Supported printers are the Star MC Print-3 (MCP31 Bluetooth, or MCP30 wired only) and BOCA Lemur.
• Assigned seating: full interactive seating map with section, row, and seat selection.
• Best available seating: AI-ranked seat suggestions (see Best Available Seating).

iPad POS

What it does

iPad POS lets your staff sell tickets on-site from an iPad. It supports:

• General admission and assigned seating events
• Best available seating
• Add-ons and merch
• Card payments via Square Terminal (in-app)
• Card payments via Square Tap Reader (in-app)
• Cash and complimentary tickets
• Custom payment methods
• In-app receipt and ticket printing
• Auto check-in
• Refunds

Getting started

1. Download the Showpass app from the App Store on your iPad. The app is free.
2. Open the app and tap the menu icon in the top left corner. Select Login.
3. Enter your Showpass organizer account credentials and tap Login.
4. Once logged in, open the menu and select Dashboard.
5. If you manage multiple organizations, choose the correct one from the list. Use the search to find it quickly.
6. On the Dashboard, tap Point of sale to enter POS mode.

Selling tickets: the POS interface

The iPad POS uses a landscape split-screen layout with event and ticket selection on the left and the cart on the right.

1. Your events are listed under the Tickets tab. Tap an event to expand its occurrences, then tap a specific date and time. Events display in upcoming order, including recurring events.
2. To filter events by date, tap the calendar icon to switch to calendar view.
3. Select ticket types and quantities using the + and - buttons. The cart on the right updates in real time with line items and subtotal.
4. To add products (merch, food, etc.), tap the Products tab.
5. When your cart is ready, tap Continue to proceed to checkout.

Calendar view: Tap the calendar icon to switch to a calendar view of your events.

Payment methods

The iPad POS supports three payment methods: Card, Cash, and Comp (complimentary). There is also an Other option for alternative payments processed outside the system.

Card

Select Card, and payment will be sent to the Square Tap Reader. If a Square Terminal is paired, the payment is sent to the Terminal for the customer to tap, insert, or swipe. You can also use Manual Credit Card Entry if needed.

Cash

Select Cash. Use the cash preset buttons ($10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $40, $50, $100) or the cash calculator keypad to enter the amount received. The system automatically calculates change due, shown in the bottom right corner.

• In Canada, cash payments will round to the nearest $0.05.
• If the total exceeds a preset amount, that preset will be disabled. Only preset amounts higher than the total will be displayed.
• Reporting will reflect only the transaction total, not the cash received or change provided. Example: if a $50 ticket is purchased with $80 cash, reporting will show a $50 cash sale, not the $80 received or $30 in change.

Select Checkout to move on to Ticket and Receipt Delivery.

Complimentary

Select Comp to process a complimentary (free) transaction. A yellow banner confirms "This will be a complimentary transaction." No payment is processed. Select Process to continue to Ticket and Receipt Delivery.

Other

Choose Other as an alternative payment option. Staff need to make sure the payment is collected on an external terminal or other method before processing in the Showpass system.

Delivery options

After payment, you'll see the Delivery screen where you choose how to deliver tickets and receipts.

• Ticket delivery: Email, Print, or None.
• Receipt delivery: Email, Print, or None.

If you select Email, enter the customer's email address. If you select Print (requires a printer configured via the app), the ticket or receipt will print through the iPad POS's in-app print path. If you select None, continue to Complete Transaction.

After checkout, the app stays on the same event so you can quickly process the next sale. Tap Back to return to the event list when you need to switch events.

Assigned seating

iPad POS supports assigned seating with an interactive seating map. Staff can select specific sections, rows, and seats directly on the map. Best available seating also works here. This is the same seating experience available on Web Box Office, Mobile POS, and Desktop App.

Note: Best available seating must be enabled for the event before it can be used with assigned seating.

Card payments via Square Terminal

To accept debit and credit card payments on iPad POS, pair a Square Terminal to your Showpass account. The iPad communicates with the Terminal inside the app. See Square Terminal & Payment Hardware Reference for setup.

What changed: Earlier versions of the Showpass iPad app handed payment off to the Square app to complete the transaction. That's no longer the case. Card payments now happen entirely inside the Showpass app via the paired Square Terminal or Square Tap Reader. Your staff stays in one app from cart to receipt. The setting that controls this is the Use in app payment processing toggle in Square integration settings (see "Pair a Square Tap Reader" below).

Connecting to a Square Point of Sale setup

Compatible Square hardware:

• Square Point of Sale Stands
• Square Tap Readers
• Square Terminal (in-app, via the Showpass app)

Note: Older Showpass iPad app integrations were not compatible with Square Terminals or Square Registers. The current in-app Square Terminal integration replaces that limitation for Terminals.

Square Stand setup includes	Instructions	Square Stand options
1 Square Stand (holder for the iPad) 1 Square Docking station 1 Card Reader 1 Charging Block and Wall Cord 1 USB Block and respective cables	Unbox all items. Plug the Wall Cord into the Charging Block and plug into a power source. Connect USB Block to Charging Block. Connect power to the Square Stand (plug-in is underneath the Square Stand). Place the Tap Reader in the Docking Station and plug into the USB Block. Power should now be running to the Square Stand and Docking Station.	Showpass uses two types of Square Stands. The first requires a paired Square Reader. The newer Square Stand comes with a built-in Square Reader. Square Stand product page

Pair a Square Tap Reader

The Square Tap Reader is a wireless device that accepts debit and credit card payments by tap or insert. It's compatible with older versions of the Square Stand used by Showpass. Tap Readers have their own battery and don't need to be plugged in at all times. They can be purchased online or at most electronics stores.

Pair via the Showpass app:

1. Open the Showpass app on your device.
2. Enter Point of Sale.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Tap Square integration.
5. Ensure Use in app payment processing is toggled on.
6. Select Square Reader.
7. Tap Pair a Reader.
8. Follow the prompts to finish pairing your Square device with the Showpass app.

If your reader is having trouble connecting, disable the Use in app payment processing toggle to revert to the old integration method as a fallback.

Auto check-in

Auto check-in marks tickets as scanned at the moment of purchase, so you don't have to scan them at the door.

1. Select Settings from the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Choose Auto checkin from the menu on the left.
3. Toggle Auto checkin on or off.

• If toggled off, tickets remain unscanned.
• If toggled on, tickets are reflected as scanned at purchase.
• This does not affect previous purchases that happened before turning the setting on.

Transactions

To view your transaction history, tap Transactions along the bottom menu.

• Use the search function to find specific transactions.
• Selecting a transaction shows the transaction details, where you can resend the email confirmation, adjust the check-in status, or process a refund.

Resend the email confirmation

1. On the transaction, select the menu icon above the Transaction ID.
2. Tap Email from the menu.
3. Enter the email address and tap Send.

Check in tickets

1. In the transactions menu, select Check in.
2. Choose which items to check in and select the items box.
3. Tap Check in items.

You can also undo a check-in using the Undo check in button.

Refunds

1. On the transaction, select the menu icon above the Transaction ID.
2. Tap Refund.
3. A popup appears asking for your Access pin. Enter it to continue.
4. Confirm the refund in the pop-up modal by selecting Process refund.

Cashout report

The Cashout report is seller-specific, so you'll need to be signed in as the intended seller to access their report. Each report reflects only the activity of the seller currently logged in.

1. Select Transactions from the bottom menu.
2. In the top right corner, select the Reports icon. The Cashout report popup will open.
3. Choose your date parameters for the Cashout Report and your delivery method.
   • If selecting Email cashout, the report will send to the user currently logged in.

A confirmation will appear in the top left corner of the page.

Connecting a printer

Supported printer: Star MC Print-3 (MCP31LB Bluetooth, preferred). MCP30 is supported wired only.

Prepare the printer

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Plug in the power cable and connect to a power source.
3. Turn on the printer and wait for it to initialize.

Connect the printer to the iPad

1. Open Settings on the iPad.
2. Tap Bluetooth and turn it on.
3. Under "Other Devices," look for Star MCP31LB or similar.
4. Tap the printer to pair it.
5. Once connected, it should move to "My Devices" and show "Connected."

Set up in the Showpass app

1. Navigate to Settings > Printers.
2. Tap Refresh to reload the menu and identify the printer.
3. Select Star MCP31LB from the available devices.

Connecting a cash drawer

Note: A printer is required for the cash drawer to function.

• Connect the cash drawer to the Star MCP31LB printer.
• Ensure the cable is connected in the correct orientation.

Selling on Mobile POS (phone)

The same Showpass app on an iPhone or Android phone provides a portrait-oriented POS experience. The flow is similar but adapted for the smaller screen. For full phone-specific guidance (including scanning and check-in), see Mobile App Organizer Guide.

Mobile POS supports:

• General admission and assigned seating
• Cash, manual card entry, complimentary
• Auto check-in and refunds

Not supported on Mobile POS:

• Square Terminal (manual card entry only)
• Receipt or ticket printing
• Kiosk Mode

Kiosk Mode

What it is

Kiosk Mode is a setting within the Showpass iPad app designed for unattended self-serve ticket sales. Attendees walk up to a kiosk, browse available events, select tickets, and pay with a card, all without staff assistance.

Kiosk Mode is generally available as part of the Showpass iPad app on the App Store.

What Kiosk Mode supports

• General admission ticket sales
• Card payments via Square Terminal
• Auto check-in (tickets are automatically scanned at purchase)

What Kiosk Mode does not support

• Assigned seating
• Cash payments
• Add-ons, merch, or concessions
• Refunds on-device
• Custom payment methods

Setting up Kiosk Mode

1. Download the Showpass app from the App Store.
2. Log in with your organizer account.
3. Navigate to the POS settings within the app and enable Kiosk Mode.
4. Connect a Square Terminal for card payments (required for Kiosk Mode since cash is not supported).
5. Configure which events and ticket types are available for self-serve purchase.
6. Secure the iPad in a kiosk stand or enclosure to prevent attendees from navigating away from the app.

Best practices for Kiosk Mode

• Place kiosks in high-traffic areas with clear signage.
• Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection for each kiosk.
• Pair each kiosk with its own Square Terminal (one Terminal per Showpass login).
• Have a staff member nearby for the first event to assist attendees who need help.
• Test the full purchase flow before doors open.

Hardware requirements

Component	Required?	Notes
iPad	Yes	Any iPad that supports the current Showpass app (iOS 17 and up)
Square Stand with Included Tap Reader	For card payments	Recommended for iPad POS
Square Terminal	For card payments	Optional for iPad POS
Square Kiosk stand/enclosure	For Kiosk Mode	Required to secure the iPad in an unattended setting
Wi-Fi	Yes	Reliable connection required for all POS and payment functions
Receipt printer	Optional	For in-app receipt printing. Star MC Print-3 MCP31.
Ticket printer	Optional	For in-app ticket printing. Star MC Print-3 MCP31.

Limitations

• Not compatible with Custom Questions.

Troubleshooting

• Update the app: Check for updates in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
• Refresh the app: Close and reopen the app to load the latest event edits.
• Check internet speed: Run a speed test. Slow connections can affect performance.
• Verify permissions: Ensure the logged-in user has box office sales access under employee settings.