Reader not working with adapter on iPhone

TLW — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:11:14 GMT

Recently purchased an iPhone SE 2020 w/out headphone jack. Tried to use an adapter with the Square magstripe reader: does not recognize. Tried the suggestion by another involving AirPlay and those controls are not on this iPhone. Is there a way to make this work without buying ANOTHER reader w/ lightning jack?

Thank you!

Re: Reader not working with adapter on iPhone

ashc — Sun, 14 Mar 2021 11:31:58 GMT

Hey @TLW and welcome to the Community.

Adapters for the iPhone are not tested so unfortunately they can't be compatible. If it's not working, there isn't a way around getting another reader.

I'd recommend the Contactless + Chip reader over the Lightning reader though as it'll better protect you in terms of a chargeback. Chip cards that are swiped instead of inserted into a chip card reader are automatically lost when a chargeback occurs because of EMV laws placed by banks back in 2015. The Contactless + Chip reader is also wireless.

thread Reader not working with adapter on iPhone in Payments Troubleshooting

Reader not working with adapter on iPhone

Re: Reader not working with adapter on iPhone