thread How can I use my iPhone 7 without a headphone jack? in Payments Troubleshooting

How can I use my iPhone 7 without a headphone jack?

FJ1 — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:09:39 GMT

My Square chip reader won't work on my iPhone 8 using an apple Lightning to Headphone Jack adapter. Does anyone else have this issue? The reader itself is fine (can still use on any phone with a headphone jack).

Re: How can I use my iPhone 7 without a headphone jack?

Seamus — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 05:25:40 GMT

Hey @FJ1,

Thanks for getting in touch and sorry to hear you're having trouble using your reader.

Our plug-in readers are designed to work with Apple's lightning bolt to headphone jack adaptor, though we have had occasional reports of these adaptors not functioning as intended. If the reader is otherwise working by itself, generally the issue is with the adapter itself. To make sure, I tested one I had handy just now and it worked fine - sorry we couldn't be of more help here!

In the long term, you may want to consider using our Contactless + Chip reader, which is best suited to newer iPhones as it connects via Bluetooth and will also accept Chip and Tap EFTPOS cards (eg savings/cheque accounts), which our older plug in Chip reader doesn't support.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Re: Ask our Appointments Product Managers and Designers Anything

Donna1 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 04:41:35 GMT

I have an iPhone SE and my phone does not have a headphone jack. How can I use my plug in card reader? Thank you

What should I use for a card reader on my iPhone SE?

Donna1 — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 04:48:55 GMT

My iPhone SE does not have a headphone jack there I cannot use my plug in card reader. What exactly should I use? Thank you.

Re: What should I use for a card reader on my iPhone SE?

Arie — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:57:13 GMT

Hi @Donna1,

Thanks for getting in touch!

I've moved your post to this thread as the Best Answer is covering this subject. You could also consider the Magstripe Reader with a lightning connector.

I hope this helps 🙂