The Square chip card reader has two slots – one for swiping magstripe cards and one for inserting chip cards. This reader can only be used with tablets that have an audio jack and cannot be used with the Franpos Register.
Note: If you have the contactless and chip card reader, go here for setup instructions, as the steps differ from the ones outlined in this article. You can also compare the different Square Readers anytime.
Visit Square Shop to purchase the chip card reader for $29 or pick one up at a participating Staples or Best Buy retail location. Before making a trip, call your local retailer to see if they have readers in stock.
Before you use your reader, make sure it’s fully charged. To charge, plug one end of the accompanying USB cable into the reader and the other end into a wall charger, USB port on your computer, or any powered USB outlet.
You’ll see a small amber (yellow) light at the bottom of the reader when charging is in progress. The following colors indicate different battery states:
When your reader is charged, open the Square app and insert the reader into the audio jack of your device with Square’s logo facing you. When you see “Reader Ready” at the top of your screen in the app, you can start accepting payments.
Every card with a chip will need to be inserted in the front slot of the reader and held in place throughout the entire transaction.
When you’re ready to process a chip card with the Square app:
If you’re having any trouble with your reader, review these reader troubleshooting tips.
Every magstripe card without a chip can be swiped in the back slot of the reader.