thread ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to in Payments Troubleshooting

ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

awakener — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:22:33 GMT

Hi, just purchased a square terminal device to replace zettle reader. The aim was to just replace the card machine but still use my ipad to process the bill. I've set up the terminal and updated software and firmware accordingly, however when trying to generate the device code for the terminal to connect to from my ipad, the terminal wouldn't show up on the hardware list therefore I cannot use the device as intended.

Is there any solution to this? the app is up to date and there's no way I can find to manually add a device that's not on the list.

Thanks in advance.

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

Sam_400º — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:11:36 GMT

Hey @awakener - welcome to the community!

Can I double check the process your'e following, as the terminal should be signed out of your account to start with.

Within the POS you go to:
Settings
Hardware

Square Terminal

Then give the device a name and it will give you a device code.

When you set up the terminal instead of signing in with your account user name and password you pick the 'use device code' option instead and ender the code that came up on your iPad.

The two devices are then linked together for payments via the interlywebs.

If this isn't working then @ me 👍🏻

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

awakener — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 09:06:06 GMT

Hi, yes I followed the procedure multiple times. The app simply won’t display terminal as an option for me to generate the device code for the terminal to connect to.
I tried my iPad mini6 (the one I intend to use) and my wife’s iPad Pro m1.
I’ve tried factory reset, generating service codes from the dashboard web, different network.. everything I could think of with no luck.

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

eldina — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 01:25:53 GMT

Were you ever able to find a solution? I have this same problem. I cannot see the terminal option under hardware on the Square POS app. I tried it on my iphone and two different ipads as well.

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

awakener — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 05:35:04 GMT

I got a message from the engineer saying it’s a known problem and they’ll be fixed for the next update circa 10 March.
if you’re urgent you can speak to engineer (took me nearly a week to get there) they may be able to force allow you but some other functions maybe disabled (until the next update)

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

Sammie_C — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:52:57 GMT

Hi @awakener, I appreciate your post. Thank you for looking into this as well, @Sam_400º.

I see that you received a message from one of our engineers about this situation. Please let us know if this goes unresolved after March 10 and I can look into this further for you.

Re: ipad POS app won't display terminal on hardware list to connect to

lulu2014 — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 04:37:14 GMT

Hi guys,

I recently bought a Square terminal for my business and had the same issue when pairing it to my iPad via Square POS app. When I go to settings > hardware, Square Terminal was not listed as as an option. I've been searching on the internet but didn't see any solution, just wondering if anyone has a way to fix this.