Showpass Desktop App Guide

This guide covers installing, configuring, and using the Showpass Desktop App for on-site ticket sales, receipt printing, and ticket printing. If you're on a laptop or desktop computer, this is your primary path.

Overview

The Showpass Desktop App is an installable application for Windows and macOS that provides a full-featured box office. It connects directly to printers and other hardware via USB and includes in-app printing, so no separate helper app is required.

The Desktop App supports:

• General admission and assigned seating events
• Best available seating
• Card payments via Square Terminal
• Cash, complimentary tickets, and custom payment methods
• Receipt printing (Star Micronics MC Print-3), in-app
• Thermal ticket printing (BOCA), in-app
• Add-ons and merch
• Auto check-in
• Refunds

System requirements: Windows

Ensure your antivirus and firewall software allow the Showpass app to access the internet and local resources (USB devices, printers).

System requirements: macOS

The Desktop App is available for macOS. [Full macOS system requirement details pending confirmation.]

Installing the Desktop App: Windows

Step 1: Download

1. Open a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
2. Visit the Showpass Desktop App download page for Windows x64.
3. Save the installer file to your computer.

Step 2: Install

1. Navigate to the download location and double-click the installer file.
2. If you see a Windows Defender SmartScreen warning ("Windows protected your PC"), click More info, then Run anyway.
3. The setup wizard will run. Wait for the installation to complete.
4. If prompted, grant administrator permissions by clicking Yes.
5. Once installation is complete, the Showpass app will open automatically.
6. Log in with your Showpass organizer account.

Step 3: Configure Windows Security (if needed)

If you encounter issues after installation:

1. Go to Start → Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection.
2. Under "Virus & threat protection settings", click Manage settings.
3. Temporarily toggle off Real-time protection to complete setup. Remember to turn it back on afterward.

Troubleshooting installation

If the installation fails, check that your system meets the minimum requirements, that you have a stable internet connection, and try temporarily disabling antivirus software. For further assistance, contact the Showpass support team.

Installing the Desktop App: macOS

Step 1: Download

1. Open a web browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox).
2. Visit the Showpass Desktop App download page for macOS.
3. Save the .pkg installer file to your computer.

Step 2: Handle security warning

macOS may block the installer because it is from an unidentified developer.

1. When you see the warning dialog, click OK.
2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll to the Security section. You'll see a message about the blocked app. Click Open Anyway.

Step 3: Install

1. The Showpass Installer will open. Click Continue.
2. Choose the destination. Select Install for all users of this computer (recommended) and click Continue.
3. Review the installation type and disk space required (approximately 358.7 MB). Click Install.
4. Wait for the installation to complete. You'll see a success confirmation.
5. Click Close to finish.

Step 4: Launch and log in

1. Open Launchpad and find the Showpass app.
2. Click the Showpass icon to launch the app. Log in with your Showpass organizer account.

Connecting a receipt printer (Star Micronics MC Print-3): Windows

The Star Micronics MC Print-3 is the recommended receipt printer. It connects via USB.

1. Connect the hardware. Use the provided USB cable. The printer-side plug is USB-B, the device-side plug is USB-A. Power on the printer.
2. Install the Star Micronics driver. Visit the Star Micronics support website and download the Windows driver for the MC Print-3. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
3. Verify in Windows. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Confirm the Star MCP31 appears in the printer list.
4. Verify in the Showpass Desktop App. Open the app, navigate to Settings → Printer. The receipt printer should appear with a green check mark.
5. Test print. Go to the Transactions tab, select a past transaction, and reprint a receipt to confirm it works.

Tips:

• Use the USB cable that came with the printer. Third-party cables may not work reliably.
• If using a USB hub, try connecting directly to the computer to rule out hub issues.
• The printer must be powered on before the Desktop App will detect it.

Connecting a ticket printer (BOCA): Windows

BOCA thermal printers are used for printing physical tickets at the box office. They connect via USB.

1. Download the BOCA driver. Visit www.bocasystems.com/Boca_Systems.zip and download the driver zip. Extract it.
2. Install the BOCA driver. Right-click the installer file and select Run as administrator. The BOCA Systems Printer Driver wizard will run; wait for it to complete.
3. Connect the BOCA printer via USB. Use the correct USB port on the BOCA printer; using the wrong port may result in the printer not being detected.
4. Verify in Windows. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. Confirm the BOCA printer appears (for example, "Boca BIDI FGL 26/46 200 DPI").
5. Configure printing preferences. Click the BOCA printer, then Printing preferences. Set Orientation to Landscape. Click OK.
6. Verify in the Showpass Desktop App. Go to Settings → Printer. Under Thermal ticket printer, select the BOCA printer from the dropdown.
7. Test print. Go to the Transactions tab, select a past transaction, and click Reprint all tickets. Choose the thermal template (default: "Showpass Default") and click Print.

Connecting a receipt printer (Star Micronics MC Print-3): macOS

1. Connect the hardware. USB-B on the printer side, USB-A on the Mac side. You may need a USB-A to USB-C adapter. Power on the printer.
2. Install the Star Micronics CUPS driver. Download the CUPS Driver for macOS from the Star Micronics support website. Run the installer package and follow the prompts.
3. Verify in macOS. Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Confirm the Star MCP31 appears.
4. Verify in the Showpass Desktop App. Navigate to Settings → Printer. The receipt printer should appear with a green check mark.
5. Test print. Go to the Transactions tab and select a past transaction to test.

Connecting a ticket printer (BOCA): macOS

1. Install the BOCA driver. Download the BOCA Mac Printer Drivers from the BOCA Systems website. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
2. Connect the BOCA printer via USB. Use the correct USB port on the printer.
3. Verify in macOS. Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners. Confirm the BOCA printer appears (for example, "BOCA SYSTEMS 46 200").
4. Configure printer options. Click the BOCA printer, then Options & Supplies. Go to the Options tab. Set Rotation to No Rotate. Click OK.
5. Verify in the Showpass Desktop App. Go to Settings → Printer. Under Thermal ticket printer, select the BOCA printer from the dropdown.
6. Test print. Go to the Transactions tab, select a past transaction, and click Reprint all tickets. Choose the thermal template and click Print.

Using Square Terminal with the Desktop App

The Desktop App supports Square Terminal for on-site card payments. You must first connect your Square account via the Showpass Dashboard.

Permissions: To connect Square, the user performing the connection must have the Manage Integration permission on the organizer account.

Step 1: Connect Square in the Dashboard

1. Log in to the Showpass Dashboard. Go to Settings → Integrations.
2. Find Square in the integrations list and click Connect Square Account.
3. Log in with your Square credentials.
4. After authorization, select your Square Location from the dropdown and click Save.

Step 2: If already connected

If Square is already connected, the Integrations page will show a Manage button instead.

Step 3: Pair the Terminal

1. In the Showpass Desktop App, generate a device code to pair your Square Terminal. This lives under Settings → Square integration.
2. Enter the device code on the Terminal hardware to complete pairing.
3. The Box Office will show a green Square Terminal Connected indicator when paired successfully.

For detailed instructions on device codes, terminal pairing, and troubleshooting, see Square Terminal & Payment Hardware Reference.

Selling tickets

Once you are logged in and your hardware is connected:

1. The Box Office view shows your events and products.
2. Select an event to sell tickets for.
3. For assigned seating events, the interactive seating map allows seat selection.
4. Add tickets to the cart, along with any add-ons or products.
5. Choose the payment method: card (via Square Terminal), cash, or complimentary.
6. Complete the sale. Receipts and/or tickets print automatically if printers are connected.

Hardware summary