Feature Request: Square Reader for magstripe with a USB-C connector

[toyssamurai]

The title of this post has been edited from the original: USB Type C and Square App Accessories Support

It's time for Square to really look into this problem. As of now, the Android Square app does not support Bluetooth accessories. At the same time, it requires USB OTG. And that brings a problem -- the smartphone industry is migrating to USB Type C, and by doing that almost all smartphones/tablets that I know of drop USB OTG support. I've used the Nexus 6P, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 XL and the Pixel C. All of them use USB Type C. When I use the Square app on them, I cannot use any Square supported USB barcode scanners, and printers. And, NO, it did not work even when I bought one of those USB-C Hub that claims OTG support. I've tried a dozen of them. I think in a year or so, none of the mid to upper end Android devices will not be able to support any USB accessories through the Square app. In 2 years, I bet virtually none of them, even on the lower end, would allow us to plug even a barcode scanner to it.

I mean, people working for Square, think about this: in 2 years, NO new Android devices out there will be able to use barcode scanner with your Point of Sale app. Are you kidding me? A POS system that doesn't support barcode scanning? So, you are expecting me to type UPC in, one by one?

[#2]

Hey @bbrewer - I've moved your post to this thread so that we can continue to track requests for a Square Reader for magstripe with USB-C compatibility. There are a couple of ways that you could accept payments from cards without a chip:

• You can manually enter the card information into the Square Point of Sale app, or by processing the payment using your Virtual Terminal on the Dashboard.
• As @Kassi_ suggested, you could try purchasing a USB-C compatible dongle to connect a magstripe reader to your device.

[#3]

I'm sorry for the trouble @unioncarpgirl! If you received the wrong reader you can return your reader online.

Keep in mind the new magstripe reader with Lightning connector can only be used with iPhones. There isn't a reader with a USB-C connector. But as @VanKalkerFarms mentioned you could use the Contactless and Chip Card reader instead because that reader pairs to your device over Bluetooth LE. 

And finally, just to let you know, the readers are universal and can be used with any Square account.

[Lain]

Except the Bluetooth reader never works correctly. Takes me at just 10 minutes of pairing, unpairing, opening the app, closing the app, toggling airplane mode, etc... just to get it connected. Then it does even process payments correctly once it is connected. I attempted to collect payment from 2 different clients today and the reader failed both times. Embarrassing. This is with a new reader too. So now I have two of these pieces of crap. 

[ashc]

Hey @Lain,

I'd recommend making sure your Android device is compatible with our Contactless + Chip Card reader.

You can check out our Compatibility Page here. 

Here's some tips on getting it paired from our Support Center as well. 

[Lain]

According to this list any Android device made in the past 5 years is compatible. Not helpful. 

[luv_sassy_nails]

I just purchased a new Samsung S20 Ultra phone and it does not have a port for me to plug in my Square reader. What type of adapter do I need and where can I purchase the adapter from? TIA!

[Valentina]

It sounds like you're currently using a Square Reader for magstripe with a headphone jack connector, @luv_sassy_nails. I've moved your post to this thread where other sellers have asked about this. You should be able to find a USB-C to headphone jack adapter from most electronics stores, or online by searching those keywords.

If you haven't already considered this, I would recommend grabbing one of our Square Readers for contactless and chip. This reader uses Bluetooth to connect to your device, and is EMV-compliant, so it keeps you safer when you're accepting payments.

[RocketSlugGames]

I have an old reader with a headphone jack, but I have a new Android phone with just USB-C. I saw that I can use the Wireless bluetooth reader, but do I really need to spend $50 on it if I only use the reader once every blue moon? It's a 'nice to have' but I won't spend the money on it if I can just have a customer buy it quickly from my website.

[Phillyvegan]

 Have a note 10plus what is the cord I need? Do i get the headphone one? 

[AshleyK]

Hey! I've merged your post with an existing thread that will help answer this question. You will need to purchase an adapter or use our bluetooth Contactless and Chip Reader to accept credit card payments. 

[JCMTechPeruIN]

I use a Google Pixel 3, like many flagship phones it does not have a headphone jack and only has a USB-C port. Apple has even gone to USB-C on their iPads. 

Why is there still no option for modern Flagships that aren't iPhones? The Contactless and Chip reader over bluetooth is great, but LOTS of customers still use cards that don't have either of those options. Magstrip reading is essential for a business to be able to accept. 

I signed up for Square because of the promise of a free reader, but none of your readers actually work on my device. If this were four years ago when headphone jack first started going away I'd be more sympathetic, but we are multiple generations in where a vast majority of the cell phones sold don't have headphone jacks anymore and have usb-c ports instead. 

[lockman2139]

I am about to get a new phone which dose not have a phone jack. will the USB C to 3.5mm adapter work ? I am looking at the Note 20 ultra.