How to Connect a Square Reader to Your Phone

Connect your Square Reader in three steps

A Square Reader connects to your phone through Bluetooth, the same wireless technology that pairs headphones or smartwatches. Once paired, the reader stays connected whenever you open the Square app and are within Bluetooth range — typically 30 feet indoors. The whole process takes about five minutes the first time, and you only need to pair once.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have a Square Reader for contactless and chip (the small white square), a Square Reader for magstripe (the older black device), or a Square Stand (the full-size payment terminal). This guide covers the contactless and chip reader, which is the most common version in use today.

Key Takeaways

Turn on Bluetooth in your phone settings before opening the Square app, or the reader will not appear in the pairing list.
The Square app walks you through pairing step-by-step — you do not need to use your phone's Bluetooth settings directly.
If pairing fails, restart both your phone and the reader, then try again from the Square app's settings menu.
Once paired, the reader reconnects automatically when you open the Square app, as long as Bluetooth stays on.
If your reader does not power on, charge it with the included USB cable for at least 30 minutes before attempting to pair.

Before you start: what you need

You need a Square Reader (the physical device), a smartphone or tablet running iOS or Android, and the Square app installed on that phone. The Square app is free and available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Your phone's Bluetooth must be turned on — check your phone's settings or swipe down from the top of the screen to see the Bluetooth toggle.

Make sure your Square Reader has a charge. If it has not been used in a while, plug it into a power source using the included USB cable and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. A fully charged reader lasts about eight hours of active use. You do not need to be connected to Wi-Fi for pairing to work, but you will need internet later to process payments.

Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth and open the Square app

Go to your phone's settings and turn on Bluetooth. On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, then tap the Bluetooth icon. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and toggle it on. You should see "Bluetooth On" displayed at the top of your screen.

Open the Square app on your phone. If you do not have a Square account yet, you will need to create one — this takes about five minutes and requires your name, email, and phone number. Once you are logged in, the app will show your home screen with options to take payments, view history, and access settings.

Step 2: Start the pairing process in Square settings

In the Square app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings. Look for Readers or Hardware — the exact name depends on your app version. Tap that option, then tap Add Reader or Pair New Reader.

The app will now search for available Square Readers using Bluetooth. This usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Your reader should appear in the list with a name like "Square Reader" or a serial number. Tap it to select it. If nothing appears after 30 seconds, make sure your reader is powered on — some readers power on automatically when you tap them, while others have a small power button on the back.

Step 3: Complete pairing and test the connection

Once you tap your reader in the list, the app will show a pairing confirmation screen. Tap Pair or Connect to confirm. The app may ask you to enter a PIN or confirm that the reader is in pairing mode — follow the on-screen instructions. Pairing usually completes within 10 seconds.

After pairing finishes, the app will show your reader as connected. You can now take a test payment to make sure everything works. Tap Charge or Take Payment from the home screen, enter a small test amount (like $0.01), and follow the prompts to process a card through the reader. If the payment goes through, your reader is ready to use.

What to do if pairing fails

If your reader does not appear in the pairing list, restart both devices. Power off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. For the reader, look for a small power button — usually on the back or bottom — and hold it for three seconds to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the button again to power back on. Turn Bluetooth back on in your phone settings and try pairing again from the Square app.

If the reader still does not appear, try "forgetting" the reader from your phone's Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your reader in the list of paired devices, and tap the info icon or "Forget" option. Then return to the Square app and try pairing from scratch. This clears any corrupted pairing data that might be blocking the connection.

If you see an error message during pairing, write down the exact error code or text and check the Square support website or contact Square support directly. Common errors usually relate to Bluetooth interference from other devices or an outdated version of the Square app — updating the app from your phone's app store often fixes this.

Reconnecting after the first time

Once you have paired your reader once, you do not need to pair it again. Every time you open the Square app with Bluetooth turned on, your phone will automatically reconnect to the reader within a few seconds. You will see a small icon at the top of the app showing that the reader is connected.

If your reader does not reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is on and the reader is powered on. Move your phone closer to the reader — Bluetooth works best within 30 feet, but obstacles like walls or metal can reduce range. If the reader still does not connect after 30 seconds, restart the Square app by closing it completely and opening it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use one Square Reader with multiple phones?

Yes. Pair the reader with each phone using the same steps above. The reader will remember all paired phones and reconnect to whichever one opens the Square app. However, only one phone can process payments at a time — if two phones try to use the reader simultaneously, one will disconnect.

What if my reader is not charging?

Try a different USB cable and power source first — the cable itself may be damaged. Plug the reader into a wall outlet rather than a computer USB port, as computer ports sometimes provide less power. If the reader still does not charge after 15 minutes, contact Square support with your reader's serial number, which is printed on the back of the device.

Does the reader need to stay paired to my phone all the time?

No. You can unpair the reader whenever you want by going to Settings, tapping Readers, and selecting your reader, then tapping Disconnect or Remove. The reader will not work with the Square app until you pair it again, but you can pair it to a different phone at any time.

Can I use the Square Reader without an internet connection?

The reader pairs to your phone over Bluetooth without internet, but you need an internet connection to actually process payments. The Square app will store the transaction temporarily and send it once you reconnect to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Why does my reader keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth interference from other devices, low battery on the reader, or being too far away are the most common causes. Keep the reader within 30 feet of your phone, charge the reader fully, and move away from devices like microwaves or cordless phones that can interfere with Bluetooth. If disconnections continue, try unpairing and re-pairing the reader from scratch.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.