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How To Set-Up Your Square Reader


By: Ian Wright | Last Updated: April 25, 2025

Sections

  • Short Summary
  • Full Text
    • Battery Level
    • Square POS App
    • Pair Your Reader
    • Start Taking Payments
    • How Different Payments Work

Short Summary

TLDR: The Square Reader is a convenient and secure way for businesses to accept contactless payments, emphasizing the importance of digital payment solutions for modern businesses.

00:00 Set up your Square Reader, learn its features, and check the battery level for a full day of payments.

01:02 Charge your Square Reader by plugging it into a USB-C wall charger for 2-3 hours for a full charge.

01:22 Download the Square Point of Sale app, sign in with your Square account, and connect your Square Reader to your iOS or Android device.

01:42 Pair your Square Reader to your device by turning on Bluetooth, opening the Square POS app, and following the prompts to connect the reader.

02:23 Press the power button if your Square POS app is not connected, then select items and tap Charge to start taking payments with your Square Reader.

02:57 Customers can pay by holding their card near the contactless symbol, inserting their card into the slot, or entering their code on the mobile device, and once payment is accepted, receipts can be sent via email or text, printed, or skipped altogether.

Square Reader
Square Terminal
Model
Model
Square Reader
Square Terminal
Price (buy)
Price (buy)
£19 + VAT
£149 + VAT
Fees (In person)
Fees (In person)
1.75%
1.75%
Fees (Manually entered)
Fees (Manually entered)
2.5%
2.5%
Mobile Phone Required
Mobile Phone Required
Yes
No
Built-In Printer
Built-In Printer
No
Yes
Buy Now
Buy Now

Full Text

Square Reader Set-up

Let’s get your new Square Reader up and running. In this video, you’ll see all the features of your Reader, get step-by-step instructions to set it up and install the right software, pair your device, learn how to take your first payment and add the right accessories for your business.

Inside your box, there’s a Square Reader, a charging cable, payment acceptance decals and a getting started guide. Your Reader has a built-in contactless antenna, a card slot, a power button and a USB-C port for the charging cable.

On a single charge, your Reader’s battery is designed to last all day. Simply press the power button to check the battery level – the LED lights will indicate the charge. Four green lights means it’s fully charged and ready for payments, and one red light means it needs to be charged.

Battery Level

Battery Level

You can also check the battery level under ‘Hardware Settings’ in the POS app. To charge, plug the charging cable into your Reader and the other end into a USB-C wall charger of your choice. Keep it connected for at least two to three hours for a full charge.

Square POS App

Square POS App

Before connecting Square Reader, you’ll need to install the Square Point of Sale. App.

Your Reader is compatible with most iOS or Android devices. Just go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to download the right Square POS app.

For your business . Sign in with your existing Square account or set up a new one.

Pair Your Reader

Pair Your Reader

Now you’re ready to pair your Square Reader to your phone, tablet or iPad.

Go to your device settings and turn on Bluetooth.

Next, open the Square POS. App. Select ‘More’, ‘Settings’, ‘Hardware’, then ‘Square Card Readers’.

Tap ‘Connect a Reader’ – a pop-up will tell you to press and hold the power button. Release the button when the four orange lights start flashing . When you see four green lights, your Reader is connected to your device.

Even when not in use, your Reader should stay connected to your device.

If the status bar in your Square POS app. No longer says ‘connected’, press the power button once and the Square app will instantly connect again.

Start Taking Payments

Start Taking Payments With Square

All connected?

You’re ready to start taking payments.

In your Square app, select items from your Square item library and add them to the cart. Or just enter an amount in pounds for a new item, then tap Charge. One green light should appear on your Square Reader – that means it’s ready to accept a payment.

How Different Payments Work

Customers can hold their card or device near the contactless symbol on your Reader or insert their card into the card slot – just make sure the chip side is facing up.

Then, if paying with Chip and PIN, customers can securely enter their code on your mobile device. Once a tick appears on your POS app, or you see four green lights on your.

Reader and hear the payment acceptance beep, payment is complete. You can then send receipts via email or text or print one by connecting a wireless printer, or skip this step altogether.

Square Reader works with a range of accessories to let you customise the way you sell, whether you want more ease and stability at a countertop or versatility and protection for payments on the go.

To learn more about setting up your Square Reader, visit their website.

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