thread Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square in Feedback Discussions

[US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:02:51 GMT

Hey Square Sellers! Michelle here from the Square Beta Team. No longer want to hold on to credit cards behind the bar? Do you want to simply swipe, dip or tap someone’s card to start a tab and hand the card back to them? Square is excited to announce that we are testing Bar Tabs with Pre-Authorization functionality for Sellers using Square for Restaurants!

If you are using Square for Restaurants, and want to start testing - join us over at the Restaurants POS Beta Community. Once you request access, our team will respond within 48 business hours and you’ll get an email with detailed instructions on how to get started.

If you have questions about this functionality, I am more than happy to answer your questions! As always, please share any and all feedback to betafeedback@squareup.com.

EDIT: This is only available for US based Sellers. Apologies to those of you outside of the US, we are working on it!

Re: Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

LukeNieuw — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:31:55 GMT

That's sweet!!

I know there's been lots of chat by sellers who have been waiting for this. Good stuff!

Re: Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:21:09 GMT

Hi @LukeNieuw - thanks for your interest! I forgot to explicitly call out that this is limited to the US to start.

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

ryanwanner — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:11:55 GMT

This has been a long time coming, @MichelleSQ. Im glad to see it launch in beta.
Has this been advertised in the seriously long ideate thread yet? I bet there would be a lot of interest from there…

Re: Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

LukeNieuw — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:14:58 GMT

😭

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:19:52 GMT

@ryanwanner can you link me to that specific thread? I was worried about touching it so late in the week, as I'm not online to manage the incoming requests this weekend + Monday, and I didn't want to hold up anybody from being able to use it asap!

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

ryanwanner — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:23:24 GMT

@MichelleSQ

Here you go! With all 700 replies to it. 🫣

Not sure how many of those sellers are still active Square users but I bet you’ll get some responses!

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

Callee1945 — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 19:26:49 GMT

Great! I just set this up and we're testing it out. Warning to anyone setting it up... don't do it while your bar is open. I just installed the option and all of our current open tickets disappeared. Luckily, we only had 2 and they were regular customers so were happy (and patient) to help me test the feature!

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

DavidOhmann — Wed, 01 May 2024 13:42:59 GMT

@MichelleSQ we are currently using Point of Sale to do pre-auth, and requested to join the restaurant beta, but was denied because we weren’t using restaurant, but we weren’t on restaurants because we didn’t have access to pre-auth. Definitely a chicken or the egg situation.

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:00:17 GMT

Hi @DavidOhmann - I'm happy to add you to the restaurant beta given the circumstances.

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

DavidOhmann — Fri, 10 May 2024 14:13:24 GMT

Hi Michelle! I’ve been informed that I’m in. I’m going to start testing as soon. Thank you! (Still hoping to get stock conversion and bundles for Restaurants Plus 🙂 )

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

lawnbrook — Sun, 12 May 2024 23:45:45 GMT

Amazing - AU please 🤣

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

TheJudith — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 17:57:00 GMT

Hi! Is this test working on Square Terminal as well?

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:12:36 GMT

Hi @TheJudith - we support iOS devices, Square Terminal and Square Register with this feature.

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

BillysIce — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 20:36:45 GMT

We want this desperately! How do we enable?

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:19:41 GMT

Hi @BillysIce we see your join request and we'll get your account enabled asap!

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

barpalmina — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:43:52 GMT

Is this available out of beta mode yet? I see this article as well as the option in my device settings but when I follow these instructions the setup is broken. I click bar tabs pre-auth and it just goes back to my dashboard.

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

MichelleSQ — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 15:51:58 GMT

Hi @barpalmina you should have access! Can you email us at betafeedback@squareup.com with more info or DM me directly? Were you able to toggle ON the beta experience?

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

thetapws — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:23:01 GMT

Hello, I've been using the pre-Auth feature in beta for about a year now. Recently, it's losing the CC information, so we have to get the card back. Please advise. Thank you

Re: [US Only] Beta Test Bar Tabs Pre-Authorization with Square

Hadley — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:28:28 GMT

Hi @thetapws - I'm going to DM you to dig in more here. Keep an eye out for my message.