Pairing Square Reader for the First Time
Before you attempt to connect your reader, make sure that your reader is ready to be connected.
- Turn on Bluetooth in your device settings.
- If you’re using an iPhone or iPad on iOS 13, make sure Bluetooth permissions for the Square app are enabled. To do so, head to Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth and enable permissions for the Square app.
- Fully charge your Reader.
- Check that your device is connected to the internet, you are unable to use your Reader in Offline Mode.
Connecting Reader Through the Square Dock
If you are using the Reader with the dock, you do not need to pair the two devices as it will be automatically connected once the reader is inserted into the dock.
Connecting via Bluetooth
Press and hold the button on the front of the reader next to the USB port. If the reader lights turn green, you’re all set. If the lights don’t turn on, please try again and make sure to firmly press and hold the reader’s button for a full 20 seconds or connect the reader to a power source. Once your reader is ready to be paired, open the Square App.
To pair your Square Reader through the Square App:
- Go to the Square app and press More.
- Tap Settings > Click on Hardware.
- Tap on Square card reader
- Tap Connect a Reader.
Verify that your reader can go into pairing mode. To put the reader into pairing mode, press the reader’s power button for 3–10 seconds until you see 4 orange blinking lights. Immediately release the power button when you see the 4 orange lights. If you see red lights, you’ve held the button too long and need to try again.
Pairing Square Reader with New Device
If you are attempting to pair your reader with a new device or switching the reader to a different device, you must first have your reader forget it’s connection to the previous device. To do so, head to the Square App on the device previously connected your reader and follow the steps below:
- Go to the Square app and press More.
- Tap Settings > Click on Hardware.
- Tap on Square card reader
- Select your connected reader > Forget This Reader
- Go to the iPad setting App tap Bluetooth > Select the 'i' icon next to the reader > Forget This Reader
You can also reset your reader to disconnect it from all previous devices:
- While the reader is 'ON,' use a small object like a bobby pin, pen lid or paper clip to firmly press and hold the button on the reader for 20 seconds, or after the 4 lights stop blinking red. Press the button again to turn the reader 'ON.' Observe any lights on the reader.
- If the reader lights don’t turn green, firmly press and hold the reader’s button for a full 20 seconds.