How do I search for items within Categories in the Square Retail app?

[JacNeedsHelp]

Hi, 

When using the retail app, I select "search" and it uses to bring up all the categories along the top of the screen (horizontally) that we could then scroll along and search for the right category. Then after selecting the correct category we could search within that category only. 

It seems that functionality has been removed? 

Now when we select "search" it comes up with "items" "customers" "discounts" "saved carts" or you can type. 

But the issue we have is that if we type 'studs' (for example) it brings up all studs and we can't see which category the studs fall under, which affects our pricing and reporting. 

Is there a way to have it revert back to the horizontal category search option along the top of the screen, or to allow search within a category only easily? 

We have deleted and redownloaded and installed the app to see if that was the issue. And that did not fix it. 

Any help is appreciated. 

Cheers

[Laurie_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @JacNeedsHelp, welcome to the Square Community! 👋

I can definitely escalate your feedback regarding the recent changes to the Square Retail app to our Product Team! A colleague confirmed that this is the expected behaviour on their device, so you're correct—deleting and reinstalling the app won't revert these changes.

While we wait for a response from our team, I recommend adding your Categories to your Favourites grid for quicker access. This will make it easier to navigate directly to the category you're looking for. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Open the Square app and tap Checkout > Favourites.
2. Press and hold an empty square to add items or shortcuts.
3. Tap the (+) icon on the grid.
4. Choose from this list to add a shortcut, or scroll down and tap an existing item from your Square item library.
5. Tap Done.

I'll aim to come back to you within the next few days with an update from my team!

[JacNeedsHelp]

Hi @Laurie_ , 
Thanks for your response. 

Unfortunately adding to favourites doesn't solve the issue of functionality with how we have been using square up until this recent change. 
Selecting the category from favourites and then selecting the search bar negates that you selected the category in the first place and it searches the entire item library instead of limiting the search to just that category. 
Can the functionality to only search within a category be restored please?

Appreciate your help. 

Cheers, 
Jac

[Laurie_]

No worries, @JacNeedsHelp!

Just to clarify, I’m not able to provide an immediate solution, and the workaround is intended to be a temporary option to help you navigate to these specific items more quickly. The idea is that by adding the Category to your Favourites grid, you'll be able to select the relevant category first, then scroll to the desired item.

In the meantime, I’ve raised your feedback about the recent changes with our Product Team and will wait for their response on whether the category search functionality will be restored in future versions.

[JacNeedsHelp]

Thank you @Laurie_ appreciate your help.

I look forward to their response because this is a significant reduction in usability for us. 

Cheers, 
Jac

[Laurie_]

Just a quick update, @JacNeedsHelp—the team is currently looking into this. I expect to have a more concrete update for you by tomorrow.

Appreciate your patience!

[JacNeedsHelp]

Amazing - thank you @Laurie_ 

[Laurie_]

I'm getting back to you later than anticipated, @JacNeedsHelp. Thanks for your patience!

This is currently with my team. I've raised your use case, and they're looking into options to reinstate this functionality in future app versions. I've followed up again for timelines and will update you once I have more information to share on that front.

[JacNeedsHelp]

Thank you for the update 🙂

[Laurie_]

Hi @JacNeedsHelp,

I just wanted to close the loop on this with a final update for now. I’ve been informed that this issue is on the radar for future app versions, but unfortunately, I don’t have a specific timeline for when it will be reinstated. Based on the information I have, I wouldn’t expect it to be part of the next available update.

The team now has the feedback, so we’ll have to wait and see how things progress moving forward.