thread Re: Square Readers & Offline Payments in Payments Troubleshooting

Which Square Reader models can accept offline payments?

chezology — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:09:33 GMT

The title of this thread has been edited from the original: Square Readers & Offline Payments.

Hi, Can anyone tell me which - if any - square readers accept offline payments? I have two - generation 1 and generation 2—neither work for offline transactions.

Thank you and appreciated

Cheryl

Re: Square Readers & Offline Payments

Katie_SQ — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 23:31:45 GMT

Thanks for your question, @chezology!

Offline payments can be accepted with the following Square hardware:

Square Reader (1st Generation, Version 3): Supports insert and tap payments.
Square Reader (2nd Generation): Supports insert and tap payments.

To identify your Square Reader model, please visit this page.

If your Square Reader is compatible with offline payments but you are still experiencing issues, please reply with a screenshot or photo of what you see on your end, including any error messages. I’d be happy to take a closer look. 😊

Re: Square Readers & Offline Payments

chezology — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:57:24 GMT

Hi Katie, Appreciate you getting back. I have a couple of problems now.

I have installed a new reader S171 Model 6971 - tested and it does offline payments: However

1: In the offline Payments window beneath Allow offline payments it states

'Take insert and tap payments for up to one hour while offline'. Which is pretty useless and documentation states should be for up to 24 hours.

2: Also if I log out of Square when I go back in the reader does not automatically reconnect (as did the old one) and I have to add reader and repair it every time. At the top of the screen it says

'Connecting to reader' and 'reader issue' and in readers is Square Reader1 unavailable and 'connect a card reader'

3; I have forgotten reader and reconnected several times but issue remains. Cheers Chez

Re: Square Readers & Offline Payments

Katie_SQ — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:57:47 GMT

Thanks for following up, @chezology!

Offline Payment Time Limits

Please ensure you are using the latest version of the Square App. Older app versions might display outdated information about offline payments. Please also make sure your device is running the latest OS version also.
With the Square Reader (2nd generation), you should have up to 24 hours from the time your device goes offline to accept and upload offline payments. However, this time limit may vary depending on the payment type and the hardware used.
If your Square app and device are both up to date and you are still seeing a 1-hour limit after enabling offline payments, please reply with a screenshot or photo of what you’re seeing in your app.

Square Reader Connection Issues

If your app is having trouble staying connected to your Square Reader, please try the following troubleshooting steps:

Delete the Bluetooth connection:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth.
- Tap any Square Readers > Forget or Unpair.
Clear the Bluetooth storage cache (Android only):
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap Apps > Sort icon (down arrow with 3 vertical bars) > Show system apps.
- Tap OK to display all system apps.
- Select Bluetooth from the list of apps, then select Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache and exit your Settings.
Restart your device: Turn it off and then back on.
Update your software: Ensure you are running the latest version of the Square App and your device’s operating system is up to date.
Forget the reader in the Square POS app:
- Tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > Square Readers > Forget This Reader.
Update battery usage settings (Android only):
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and select Apps.
- Find Square Point of Sale.
- Tap on Battery.
- Choose the Unrestricted option.

If the steps above don't resolve the issue, perform a factory reset on the reader:

Note: Ensure there are no pending offline payments before starting the factory reset process.

Hold the reader button down for 20 seconds. Do not release until the red lights stop flashing.
To restart, hold the button until green LED lights come on, then release.
Once again, hold the button for 20 seconds. Release only after the red lights stop flashing. Do this within 30 seconds of restarting the reader.
Restart the reader: hold the button until green LED lights come on, then release.
After the second reboot, the reader will perform a factory reset. The LEDs will blink green once again to indicate success.
Once the factory reset is complete, pair the reader to your Point of Sale device.

Additionally, if you have pending offline payments, avoid signing out of the Square app, switching locations, factory resetting the device used for payment, or deleting the app.

Please let me know how you go. 🙂

Re: Square Readers & Offline Payments

chezology — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 05:18:58 GMT

I have done ALL OF THE ABOVE SEVERAL times over the last two days. I am fed up with it and everyone seems to be guessing at what to do to fix this. I am going to leave the Bloody Thing logged in. And Screw the offline payments. I have reinstalled Square, the device is up to date, i have unrestricted the battery, have changed optimisation, cleared caches, forgotten the reader, reinstalled the reader, reset the reader, bluetooth off, bluetooth on internet off, internet on, and rebooted everything in the bloody house, PLUS whatever else everyone suggested in the Complaints about nothing working with Samsung Devices. It appears as if no one knows and everybody just has a go until someone jags it.

See Ya!