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Organizer guide: Setting up Square integration (OAuth)

Showpass Support
Updated

This guide walks you through connecting your Square account to Showpass (a one-time OAuth setup), then pairing your Square hardware. The same OAuth connection works for both Square Terminal and Square Stand setups.

OAuth is short for "open authorization." It's a one-time process that gives Showpass permission to talk to your Square account so card payments can be processed through your box office.

What you'll need

  • A Showpass organizer account with Manage Integration permission (admins have this; box office users may need an admin to perform the initial OAuth).
  • A Square account in the same name as your business.
  • Your Square hardware (Square Terminal, Square Stand, or Square Tap Reader).

Step 1: Connect your Square account (OAuth)

If you have admin access

  1. Log in to the Showpass Dashboard.
  2. Open the pop-out menu and select Integrations.
  3. Find the Square integration and click Connect Square Account.
  4. You'll be redirected to Square's login page. Enter your Square credentials.
  5. After logging in, you'll see the "Square Account Authorized" confirmation. Select a Square Location from the dropdown and click Save.
  6. Your Square account is now linked to your Showpass organization. This step is done once per organization.

If you have box office access only

  1. Navigate to your Showpass Dashboard and click Sell Tix.
  2. Click Connect Square Terminal in the top right corner of the Box Office.
  3. You'll be redirected to Square's login page. Enter your Square credentials.
  4. After logging in, select your Square Location and click Save.

Step 2: Pair your Square Terminal

Once OAuth is done, pair the physical Terminal device.

  1. Go to Integrations > Square > Manage, or click Connect Square Terminal from the Box Office.
  2. A device code will appear on screen. This code expires in approximately 5 minutes.
  3. On the Terminal: select Sign In > Use a device code.
  4. Enter the device code on the Terminal using its keypad.
  5. Return to the Showpass site and click Check Status. The status should turn green and show "Device Connected."

Notes on device codes:

  • Codes are device-specific. A code generated on one laptop only pairs the Terminal to that laptop.
  • Codes expire in ~5 minutes. If yours expires, generate a new one.
  • If your Terminal is already signed into another Square account, sign out first before entering the device code.

Step 3: Pair your Square Stand or Tap Reader

If you're using a Square Stand with a separate Tap Reader (older Stand model), pair the Tap Reader through the Showpass iPad app:

  1. Open the Showpass app on your iPad.
  2. Enter Point of Sale.
  3. Go to Settings > Square integration.
  4. Ensure Use in app payment processing is toggled on.
  5. Select Square Reader, then tap Pair a Reader.
  6. Follow the prompts to finish pairing.

The newer Square Stand model has a built-in card reader and doesn't need a separate Tap Reader pairing step.

Step 4: Verify the connection

Once paired, the Showpass Box Office will show a green Square Terminal Connected button in the top bar. Click that button to see the serial number of the connected Terminal. Match it against the serial on the back or bottom of your physical device to confirm.

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