thread How to Connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi Network in Payments Troubleshooting

How to Connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi Network

Seamus — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 08:49:13 GMT

I wanted to take a minute to share the steps to connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi network. I've also included some information about the different types of internet networks that are compatible/not compatible with Square Terminal.

To connect the Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi network if you are signed in to the device:

Tap the three horizontal lines > tap Settings > Device > Network.
Select Wi-Fi and choose a secure network. Enter a password if necessary.
Tap Next to proceed.

To connect the Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi network if you are not signed in:

Tap Change Settings > Network
Select Wi-Fi and choose a secure network. Enter a password if necessary
Hit the back arrow > X and tap sign in to load your Terminal.

You can also connect the Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi network using an ethernet cable or to an internet hotspot.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to connect your Square Terminal to a captive portal network. A captive portal is a network that requires you to agree to terms or conditions to access the internet connection (these networks are common at coffee shops, airports, and other public internet access points). Connecting over public or unsecured networks may introduce more risk as compared to secured networks.

Internet / Wi-Fi Network type	Details	Compatible with Square Terminal?
Wi-Fi Network	An internet network, usually password-protected, that you set up for your business with a Wi-Fi router.	✅
Ethernet Network	An internet network that you can connect devices to using an ethernet cable.	✅ *Square Terminal Hub required.
Wi-Fi Hotspot	An internet network, usually password-protected, that you set up for your business using another internet-enabled device, e.g. a smartphone or laptop.	✅
Captive Portal Network	Any Wi-Fi network that requires you to agree to terms or conditions to access the internet connection. Most common in public internet access points.	❌

Note: If you are using a Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2, you’ll need to change the default security setting from WPA2 PSK to WPA + WPA2 PSK before Square Terminal can connect to your network. Here’s how:

Open a web browser on your computer and type 192.168.0.1 in the address bar
Enter your username and password at the modem login page
- Note: the default username is admin and the default password is Telstra
Click the WI-FI icon at the top of the screen
Scroll to the Security Mode setting and change it to WPA + WPA2 PSK > Save
On Square Terminal, tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner to access your navigation menu
Select Settings and scroll to Device
Tap Network > toggle Wi-Fi off then back on and enter the credentials to connect to the network from your Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2.

Questions? Reply below!

Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Jodie — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 05:23:56 GMT

Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access or does it have to be a wireless device. We want to use the terminal at fundraising BBQ’s and we need internet connectivity. We do not want to hotspot with a phone or use a phone.

Re: Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Seamus — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:22:11 GMT

Hey @Jodie,

Thanks for getting in touch! I moved your message to this thread that features different ways to connect Terminal to the internet.

You can't plug a USB Wifi dongle into a Terminal for internet access, however you can hotspot your phone for internet on the go, or even better, use a Mobile Wifi Hotspot - this is similar to a USB wifi dingle, but is a self contained unit and is wireless rather than needing to plug into USB.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Re: Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Deb14 — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:35:57 GMT

I need help. I have a pos system, brought a portable wifi thing and it won’t connect to the internet.
Please help… where I am i don’t have internet so I thought buying this would be the best thing…. Hot-spotting from my phone would shortly be too slow

Re: Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Arie — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 23:46:51 GMT

Hi @Deb14,

Are you having trouble connecting the wifi dongle to the internet, or the Square Terminal? e.g can you connect your laptop, or another device to the dongle to connect to the internet? The Square Terminal can be connected via your phone hotspot as well. Looking forward to hearing back from you!

Re: Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Deb14 — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 19:37:39 GMT

Thank you for your help. I am up and running 🙂

do you know how to stop the keypad from coming up when I am putting in sales?

Re: Can a square terminal be connected to a usb Wi-Fi dongle for internet access

Arie — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 00:34:48 GMT

Glad to hear you're up and running, @Deb14! Are you referring to the number pad to enter a custom amount on your Square Terminal?

Re: How to Connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi Network

lori2201 — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 23:30:53 GMT

I have connected the Square Terminal to my home wifi for testing purposes. Now I need to change the wifi settings but the instructions above are not correct for my terminal. How do I change the wifi settings on a recently purchased terminal?

Re: How to Connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi Network

lori2201 — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 23:32:31 GMT

Ignore my last message. I've worked it out myself.

Re: How to Connect Square Terminal to a Wi-Fi Network

Arie — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 01:39:13 GMT

Glad to hear you were able to resolve this, @lori2201 - let us know if you have any other questions!