How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (2025)

3
readershelped!

This helped me

Explore this Article

parts

1Acquiring the Card Reader

2Using Square

3Connecting a Contactless Reader

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

References

Written byJack Lloyd

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

This wikiHow teaches you how to install and use the Square Point of Sale card reader and app. Square takes 2.75 percent of each credit card transaction.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Acquiring the Card Reader

  1. 1

    Go to Square's website. It's located at https://squareup.com/.

  2. 2

    Click SIGN UP WITH SQUARE. It's a blue button in the middle of the page.

    Advertisement

  3. 3

    Fill out your account information. To create an account with Square, you'll need to create the following sign-in credentials:

    • Email address - Type in an active email address (e.g., your work email address) in the "Enter your email" and "Confirm your email" fields.
    • Password - Type in a password to use with your Square account in the "Create a password" field.
    • Country - Select your country of residence from the "Country" drop-down menu.
  4. 4

    Click CONTINUE. This blue button is on the right side of the page.

  5. 5

    Enter your business information. This includes the following:

    • Type of business - Select a business type from the "What type of business is it?" box.
    • Business name - Type your business' name into the "What is your business name?" box.
    • Estimated annual revenue - Select your company's projected annual income from the "Estimated annual revenue" box.
    • Number of employees - Select a number of employees from the "Does your business have any employees?" box.
    • Business category - Choose a category from the "Business Category" box. If you can't find a relevant category, click Other.
    • You can also select a reason for using Square in the "How do you plan to use Square?" drop-down menu if you like.
  6. 6

    Click CONTINUE. It's on the right side of the page.

  7. 7

    Enter your personal information. This includes the following:

    • Legal first and last name
    • Home address
    • Zip code
    • City
    • State
    • Date of birth
    • Last four digits of your Social Security Number
    • Phone number
  8. 8

    Click CONTINUE.

  9. 9

    Add your bank account details. You'll need to enter the following information:

    • Name
    • Type of account (e.g., Checking)
    • Your routing number
    • Your account number (twice)
  10. 10

    Click CONTINUE. This will take you to the card reader selection page, where you can choose one of the two card readers:

    • Square Contactless + Chip Reader - Costs between $29 and $49 depending on available deals. This package includes a chip reader for modern cards and a contactless reader for mobile pay methods.
    • Square Magstripe Reader - Free. Contains a traditional card reader.
  11. 11

    Click a reader option, then click CONTINUE. This will take you to the card reader checkout.

  12. 12

    Click the "I want a reader mailed to me" option. It's a box on the right side of the page.

    • If you're purchasing a reader, you'll need to enter your payment information (e.g., your card number).
    • You can also click the "I need a reader today" option and enter your Zip code to see a list of nearby retailers who sell readers. Square will reimburse you for the cost.
  13. 13

    Make sure that the shipping address is correct. Square will use your previously supplied home address by default.

  14. 14

    Click CONTINUE. Your Square card reader will ship to your provided address within 10 days.[1]

    Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Square

  1. 1

    Download Square Point of Sale. You can do so on iPhone or Android.

  2. 2

    Attach the card reader. It will plug into your phone's or tablet's headphone jack.

    • If your device doesn't have a headphone jack, you'll first need to purchase an adapter from Amazon or your phone's specific store.
    • If you're using the Square contactless reader, first connect it to your phone or tablet.
  3. 3

    Open Point of Sale. The Square POS icon is white with a grey square and a grey cube in the middle.

  4. 4

    Tap Sign In. It's a white button toward the bottom of the screen.

  5. 5

    Enter your email address and password. These are the credentials you used to create your Square account.

  6. 6

    Tap Sign In. As long as your email address and password correlate, you'll be signed into your Square account.

  7. 7

    Allow Square access to your phone's information. Square requires access to your phone's microphone, location services, and push notifications. To do so, tap each item (e.g., Enable Microphone), then confirm by tapping OK.

  8. 8

    Tap Start using Point of Sale. It's at the bottom of the screen.

  9. 9

    Enter an amount to charge. There isn't a decimal point button, so you'll type without it (e.g., type "4200" for a $42.00 purchase).

  10. 10

    Tap Charge [Amount]. It's at the top of the screen. As long as your card reader is connected, doing so will open the card interface.

  11. 11

    Have a customer swipe or insert their credit card. If they're paying with Apple Pay or a similar service, they'll simply need to hold their phone or card face-down over the contactless card reader.

    • If the purchase exceeds $99.99, they'll first have to enter their PIN.
  12. 12

    Wait for a checkmark to appear on your device. Once it does, your payment is complete.

    Advertisement

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Connecting a Contactless Reader

  1. 1

    Enable your phone's Bluetooth. To do so, open your iPhone's or Android's Settings, tap Bluetooth, and slide Bluetooth right to the "On" position.

  2. 2

    Open Square Point of Sale. It's a white app with grey squares on it.

  3. 3

    Tap . It's in the top-left corner of the screen.

  4. 4

    Tap SETTINGS. You'll see this option in the pop-out window on the left side of the screen.

  5. 5

    Tap Card Readers. It's in the middle of the screen.

  6. 6

    Tap Connect a Reader. This option is at the top of the screen.

  7. 7

    Tap Square Contactless + Chip Reader. It's the only option on this page.

  8. 8

    Press and hold the reader's power button. This is the circular button on the back of the reader. You'll want to hold it down for around three seconds.[2]

  9. 9

    Wait for four orange lights to begin flashing. These are on the front of the contactless reader.

  10. 10

    Release the button. This should complete the pairing process. Your contactless reader is now connected to your device.

    • If your reader goes to sleep at any time, simply press the reader's power button to wake it back up.

    Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    How can I enter a credit card number without the card?

    How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (37)

    Community Answer

    You'll need to manually enter the number, expiration date, and CV.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 5Helpful 15

  • Question

    Does Square only work with WiFi? Can it be used with a mobile network also?

    How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (38)

    Community Answer

    It should work with a mobile network. In later versions of the app, you are able to save it in an offline mode until you have access to WiFi.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 0Helpful 5

  • Question

    When I first log into Square it ask me to charge $1 using my credit card, is this just a test?

    How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (39)

    Seth Friesen

    Community Answer

    Yes, this is just a walk-through to help you familiarize yourself with the system. If you don't want to complete the walk-though, which I recommend you do, just tap the x on the right side of the message, and tap "end walk through."

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 1Helpful 3

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit


      Advertisement

      Tips

      • People can opt to leave you tips or receive a receipt via email on the checkout screen.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If your phone or tablet lacks a headphone jack, you will need to purchase a lightning- or USB-to-3.5mm adapter.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How toStore and Read Documents on an iPhoneHow toCopy a QR Code on Android
      How toLock the Gallery on Samsung GalaxyHow toCall Someone on a ComputerHow toDownload Images from Google on PC or MacHow toChange The Font Size on an iPhoneCan You Delete Screen Time History? FAQ for Apple Screen TimeHow toTurn on Lights Out Mode on TwitterHow toUpdate Telegram on AndroidHow toTurn Off Notifications on PC or MacHow toMake Desktop Icons BiggerHow toTell if Your Snapchat Message Was ReadHow toDownload a Torrent With AndroidHow toUse Utorrent on an Android

      Advertisement

      About this article

      How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (54)

      Written by:

      Jack Lloyd

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 101,106 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 10

      Updated: May 6, 2021

      Views:101,106

      • Print

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 101,106 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement

      How to Use Square to Accept Credit Card Payments (with Pictures) (2025)

      References

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Manual Maggio

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5883

      Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

      Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Manual Maggio

      Birthday: 1998-01-20

      Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

      Phone: +577037762465

      Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

      Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

      Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.