The basic connection process

A Square Reader connects to your phone through Bluetooth, the same wireless technology that pairs headphones or smartwatches. You turn on Bluetooth on your phone, open the Square app, and follow the pairing steps — the reader and phone find each other and stay connected as long as they are within about 30 feet of each other.

The process takes about two minutes the first time. After that, your phone and reader recognize each other automatically whenever you open the Square app, so you do not have to pair them again unless you reset the reader or add it to a different phone.

Which Square Reader you own matters slightly — the original Square Reader, the Square Reader for contactless and chip, and the newer Square Reader 5G all pair the same way, but the steps in the Square app look slightly different depending on your model. The instructions below work for all current models.

Key Takeaways

  • Square Readers connect via Bluetooth, which you turn on in your phone's settings before opening the Square app.
  • The Square app guides you through pairing by showing your reader's name on a list — you tap it and confirm the connection.
  • After the first pairing, your phone and reader connect automatically whenever you open the app, as long as Bluetooth stays on.
  • If pairing fails, the most common fixes are restarting both devices, forgetting the reader from your phone's Bluetooth settings, and pairing again.
  • You can connect one reader to multiple phones, but only one phone can use it at a time.

Turn on Bluetooth before you start

Your phone's Bluetooth must be on before the Square app can find your reader. On an iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon until it turns blue. On Android, swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings, tap Bluetooth, and toggle it on.

Leave Bluetooth on throughout the pairing process. If you turn it off after the reader connects, your phone will lose the connection and you will have to turn Bluetooth back on to use the reader again.

Some phones ask for location permission when you use Bluetooth for the first time. This is normal — Bluetooth and location services are linked in Android and iOS for technical reasons. You can say yes or no; the Square Reader works either way.

Open Square and start the pairing flow

Open the Square app on your phone. If you have not signed in yet, enter your Square account email and password. Once you are in the app, you will see a home screen with options like "Charge", "Invoices", and "Settings".

Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then scroll down and tap "Devices" or "Readers" — the exact wording depends on your app version. You will see a list of any readers already connected to this phone, plus a button that says "Add Reader" or "Pair New Reader".

Tap that button. The app will say something like "Searching for nearby readers" and show a loading screen. This is when your phone is looking for your Square Reader over Bluetooth.

Select your reader from the list

Within a few seconds, your Square Reader should appear on the screen as a device name — usually something like "Square Reader" or "Square Reader 5G" followed by a number. Tap it to select it.

If your reader does not appear after 10 seconds, make sure the reader is turned on. Most Square Readers have a small power button on the back or side. Press and hold it for a few seconds until you see a light turn on or the screen light up. Then go back to the Square app and tap "Add Reader" again.

If the reader still does not show up, move your phone and reader closer together — they should be within a few feet during pairing — and try again. Walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth, though this is rare with Square Readers.

Confirm the pairing on both devices

After you tap your reader's name, the Square app will ask you to confirm the pairing. You will see a prompt on your phone asking something like "Pair with Square Reader?" Tap "Confirm" or "Yes".

At the same time, your Square Reader's screen may show a pairing code or ask you to confirm on the device itself. If it does, tap the checkmark or confirm button on the reader's screen. This two-step confirmation makes sure you are connecting to the right device and not accidentally pairing with someone else's reader nearby.

Once both devices confirm, the app will show a success message and your reader will appear in the "Devices" list as "Connected". This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds.

What to do if pairing fails

If the reader does not appear in the list after 10 seconds, or if pairing fails partway through, restart both devices. Turn off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. At the same time, turn off your Square Reader by holding the power button, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then open the Square app and try pairing again.

If restarting does not work, forget the reader from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair it fresh. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Square Reader in the list, tap the info icon next to it, and tap "Forget This Device". On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth, find your reader, tap the settings icon next to it, and tap "Unpair" or "Forget". Then go back to the Square app and pair again from the beginning.

If you still cannot connect after restarting and forgetting, the reader may need a software update. Open the Square app, go to Devices, tap your reader's name if it shows up, and look for an "Update" button. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and let it finish before trying to pair again.

Using your reader after it is connected

Once your reader is paired, you do not have to pair it again. Every time you open the Square app with Bluetooth on, your phone will automatically reconnect to the reader within a few seconds. You will see a checkmark or "Connected" status next to the reader's name in the Devices list.

If you close the Square app or turn off Bluetooth, the connection pauses but is not broken. Opening the app again or turning Bluetooth back on will reconnect you right away.

You can connect one Square Reader to multiple phones — for example, if you have a personal phone and a work phone. However, only one phone can use the reader at a time. If you switch phones, turn off Bluetooth on the old phone first, then turn it on and open the Square app on the new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my reader not show up even though Bluetooth is on?

The reader may be out of range, turned off, or too far from your phone. Move closer — within a few feet — and make sure the reader's power button is pressed. If it still does not appear after 10 seconds, restart both devices and try again. Walls and metal objects can sometimes block Bluetooth, so try moving to a different room.

Can I use my Square Reader without Bluetooth?

No. Square Readers only connect via Bluetooth. There is no USB cable or internet-only option. Your phone must have Bluetooth turned on and the Square app must be open to process payments.

What if I want to use the same reader on a different phone?

Turn off Bluetooth on the old phone, then turn on Bluetooth on the new phone, open the Square app, and pair the reader again. The reader will forget the old phone and connect to the new one. You do not have to unpair it from the old phone first, but doing so keeps your Bluetooth settings clean.

Does my reader stay connected if I close the Square app?

The Bluetooth connection stays active, but you cannot process payments without the Square app open. When you open the app again, it will reconnect to the reader automatically within a few seconds.

How far away can my phone be from the reader?

Square Readers work reliably within about 30 feet of your phone. Beyond that, the connection may drop. In practice, you will be standing right next to the reader when you use it, so distance is rarely a problem.