thread Using Square Reader for automatic payments in Payments Troubleshooting

Using Square Reader for automatic payments

Bobhowla — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 11:30:36 GMT

Hi there,

I recently noticed that ‘other POS’ devices have a feature where you can leave the device set up, with a specific payment amount and this is then charged if people tap their card/payment device.

Obviously, for security it’s on a head-height stand to avoid payments being taken when people simply walk past!

is this a feature you can set up with Square and if so, can someone direct me to the ‘how to’ guide?

Many thanks!

Re: Using Square Reader for automatic payments

Breffni — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 17:21:49 GMT

Hey @Bobhowla, thanks for your post and welcome to the Community 🙂

So I know what you mean, and while we don't have the exact set up you are looking for, we could set up something similar.

You would set up the amounts you want to charge, but customers would need to select them, proceed to checkout and tap. Which would be safer in the longrun, since yes as you mentioned, unintentionally charging people wouldn't be great.

Here's how you could set it up, if this idea suits you. Then you can just enable a setting on your iPad/Tablet which stops the screen from going to sleep ever.

Details on how to create your item library/favourites in our support centre article:

Create and Manage Items from the Square App.

I hope this helps, let me know if you come up with something else!

Re: Using Square Reader for automatic payments

Bobhowla — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 15:48:24 GMT

Ahh, that’s a good way around it I suppose. Not 100% ideal, but it at least makes the concept doable, right!

Really appreciate the detailed response and help.