Square Terminal & Payment Hardware Reference
This guide covers everything you need to set up and use a Square Terminal with Showpass for on-site card payments. It includes connecting your Square account, pairing your terminal, whitelisting locations, and troubleshooting.
In-app Square Terminal pairing is currently gated by a waffle flag. If your organization does not see the in-app pairing option, contact your Showpass representative to have it enabled.
Overview
The Square Terminal is a standalone device that accepts credit and debit card payments by tap, insert, and swipe. Showpass uses Square OAuth (a one-time authorization that gives Showpass permission to talk to your Square account) to connect your Square account so the Terminal can process payments through your Showpass box office.
The Square Terminal can be paired with a desktop computer, laptop, or iPad. It is also compatible with Star Micronics printers for receipt printing.
Important: The Terminal itself does not print tickets or receipts. If you need printed tickets or receipts, use in-app printing via the Desktop App or iPad POS app, or a Star Web PRNT-connected printer via the Web Box Office (not the recommended path).
When you need a Square Terminal
You'll need a Square Terminal if you want to accept card payments on-site for any of the following: events with assigned seating, events with custom questions, Web POS sales, or BOCA ticket printing. For general admission events, you also have the option of using Square Stand (iPad with tap reader) instead of a Terminal.
Limits
You can only have one Square Terminal connected per Showpass login. If you need multiple terminals at an event, each one requires its own Showpass account login.
Step 1: Connect your Square account (OAuth)
Before pairing a terminal, connect your Square account to your Showpass organization.
From Integrations (Admin access)
- Navigate to your Showpass Dashboard.
- Open the pop-out menu and select Integrations.
- Find the Square integration and click Connect Square Account.
- You'll be redirected to Square's login page. Enter your Square credentials.
- After logging in, you'll see the "Square Account Authorized" confirmation. Select a Square Location from the dropdown and click Save.
- Your Square account is now linked to your Showpass organization.
From the Box Office
The Box Office Square settings need the Manage Integrations permission. If your role only has Box Office access, ask an admin to connect Square for you or to add that permission to your role.
- Navigate to your Showpass Dashboard and open the Box Office from the Sell Tix menu.
- Go to Settings → Square Integration.
- Click Connect account.
- You'll be redirected to Square's login page. Enter your Square credentials.
- After logging in, select the correct Square location.
Step 2: Pair your Square Terminal
Once your Square account is connected, pair your physical Terminal device.
In Showpass
- In the Box Office, go to Settings → Square Integration.
- Click Connect terminal. Showpass displays a device code and a countdown showing when it expires.
On the Square Terminal device
- Make sure the Terminal is powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.
- On the Terminal's login screen, select Sign In → Use a device code.
- Enter the device code from Showpass using the Terminal keypad, then sign in.
- Return to the Showpass popup and click Check status.
- When pairing is complete, Showpass shows "Square Terminal is connected and ready to use!" and the terminal shows Connected.
Important notes about device codes:
- Pairing is tied to the individual Showpass login, so pair the Terminal while signed in as the person who will sell with it.
- If the code expires before you finish, click Generate new device code and repeat the steps.
- If your Terminal is already signed into another Square account, sign out first before entering the device code.
Verifying your connection
Once paired, go to Settings → Square Integration in the Box Office. Your terminal shows Connected.
Step 3: Whitelist your location (Internal process)
Audience: Internal
For Square Terminals to work properly with Showpass, the Square location must be whitelisted by Square. This is handled internally by Showpass staff.
What you'll need:
- Location Name
- Location ID (found in the Square integration settings on Showpass)
- Login email address associated with the Square account
Process: Email the Square account representatives with the location name, location ID, and login email to request whitelisting.
Processing a card payment
Once your Square Terminal is paired and your Box Office is ready, here's the payment flow.
Step 1: Complete the cart
- In the Box Office, add tickets and products to the cart.
- Under Delivery method, choose Print, Email, or None.
- Under Receipt Delivery, choose Print, Email, or None.
- Under Payment Method, select Card.
- Click Process Order.
Step 2: Customer pays on Terminal
- The Box Office will show "Awaiting customer payment..." while the Terminal activates.
- The Square Terminal will display the total and prompt the customer to tap, insert, or swipe their card.
- After payment is complete, the Terminal will ask the customer how they'd like their receipt (Email, Text message, or No receipt).
- The sale is now complete. The Box Office will confirm the transaction.
Powering and updating your Terminal
Powering on
Press the white button on the side of the Terminal to turn it on. Connect to Wi-Fi by tapping Change Settings → Network and selecting your Wi-Fi network.
Updating Terminal software
Keep your Terminal software up to date. Once signed in, swipe left to right to access the Terminal Menu. Go to Setting → General → About Terminal and verify the software version is current.
Ordering Square Terminals
Square Terminals can be ordered through Square with a Showpass discount. Contact your Showpass representative for ordering details and current pricing, or visit Square's hardware shop directly.
Troubleshooting
If your Square Terminal isn't connecting or processing payments, work through these steps before escalating. Square's own troubleshooting documentation is also a good first reference.
1. Gather information
Before troubleshooting, collect: the client/org name, event name, event date/time, what hardware is being used (Terminal vs. stand vs. scanner vs. printer), what's happening vs. what's expected, when the issue started, and photos/screenshots of the full setup, cables/ports, error screens, and model labels.
2. Confirm setup basics
Verify the standard setup workflow was followed and that the client followed the correct instructions for their specific hardware type (terminal-only vs. stand bundle, etc.).
3. Confirm software is up to date
Many issues are version-related. Verify the Box Office or relevant app is on the latest version, the device OS is current enough to support the app, and the Terminal firmware is updated.
4. Power cycle and connection reset
Power cycle (full reboot):
- Shut down the app completely (force close).
- Power off the device (not just sleep).
- Unplug accessories (USB hubs, printer cables, ethernet adapters, etc.).
- Wait 20 to 30 seconds.
- Restart the device.
- Reconnect accessories one at a time.
- Re-open the app and re-test.
Reseat connections: Replug the power cable and any USB or ethernet connections firmly. Try a different cable or port if available. If using a hub or dongle, bypass it temporarily.
Network sanity check: Confirm the Wi-Fi name and signal strength. Toggle Airplane mode on/off for 10 seconds. "Forget network" and reconnect. If possible, test on a mobile hotspot to isolate venue Wi-Fi issues.
5. Escalate if needed
If the issue persists after completing these steps, escalate through the hardware support channel. Include as much troubleshooting detail as possible, and note whether you'd like the issue tested in-house or whether the team should call the client directly.