thread Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader in Payments Troubleshooting

Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

thefrontporch2 — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:49:04 GMT

Brought home a jack, did not work, shows as connected on the app, however does not show any processing on my phone. I have an Android phone, tried a USB

C to 3.5 mm adapter. Is it possible for the transaction to take a long time to start showing as processing? On my Contactless Reader, the transaction process and is approved almost immediately. thanks

Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

Lovewell — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 01:11:02 GMT

@thefrontporch2 If you swiped a mag stripe card and the transaction fully finished then you should be able to see it in transactions. If you swipe a card and nothing happens then it is not connecting properly to your phone. There would not be a delay in the transaction processing.

Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

rtfulk — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 01:15:09 GMT

Just a thought is the headphone adapter that you have, is it a TRS jack? TRS jacks just provide stereo for the right and left side of headphones. What you need is a TRRS jack, it provides right and left channels, plus enables the microphone. The microphone is what the Square Magstripe Reader requires to process transactions.

Here is a link to a usb-c to 3.5 mm headphone jack that I use with no problems.

usb-c to 3.5mm headphone.

I want to add I do use it on an iPhone 15, but it does stae it works with both ios and android.

Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

Lovewell — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 01:19:44 GMT

@thefrontporch2 I would recommend continuing to use your contactless reader. You will be able to process more payments faster. If you come across a card that does not have a chip or tap feature you can always enter the card details in manually as well.

Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

thefrontporch2 — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 02:32:59 GMT

thanks for the suggestion, that makes sense and what I will do!

Re: Adapter for Android phone with no headphone jack for using with Magstripe Reader

Lovewell — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 02:53:23 GMT

@thefrontporch2 I am glad I could help!