How to see a customer's name when they insert their credit card

[schemjo]

I was recently at 2 places that use Square and when I inserted my credit card my name popped up on their screen on the upper right. They both confirmed they never entered this and it pulled automatically from the card. Where's the setting to get this to show up? It would help remember customer's names.

Thanks!

Joe 

[ryanwanner]

First thing to check is that your printer you're using for your receipt printer is set up to enter a Custom Number or Name. (in the app, settings->printers->[your receipt printer]-> "Enter Custom Number or Name")

Once that's checked, on checkout, you'll get to a screen where you enter the name or number. If you don't do anything on this screen once the chip card is inserted, this will auto-populate the name if it's available on the card. Once you type anything though, the software stops trying to pull the card info.

[schemjo]

Thanks for the tip. I guess that'll be the first issue is I don't have a receipt printer. One is definitely needed?

[Helen]

Hello @schemjo! I think @ryanwanner is describing Order Tickets — where you can a ticket to send to the kitchen and enter a customer's name for the particular order. Or, if the customer's name can be read from the card, that name will automatically be used for the order.

But I think you might be asking about Instant Profiles. Any time a card is swiped or dipped if Square can read the cardholders name from the card a profile will be created in your Customer Directory, instantly. (The exceptions are if matching profile doesn’t already exist within your directory, and if the card is damaged or if a name isn't associated with it - for example, it's a gift card.) 

You don't have to enable this setting on your account but you do have to be using the latest version of the Point of Sale app with the reader. 😃

[schemjo]

That does sound like what I'm looking for, thanks! I don't have any updates available but it's still not showing. Any other ideas?

[Helen]

Hi again again @schemjo! I just double checked and the customer names won't populate for open tickets if you're using Square on an iOS device. Are you using an iPad or Square Stand + iPad for your business? Do you remember what kind of device the other business were using?

[schemjo]

Square stand with an iPad. I've seen others do it with my same setup. 

[Helen]

Hmm @schemjo, it must be Instant Profiles and this feature should automatically available on your account. Have you seen any customer names automatically displayed on your device after they inserted/you swiped their card? The name can't always be read from a card, either the cardholder doesn't make it available or the card is damaged.

You could also give our Customer Success team a call to describe what you saw and let them know you don't see the same at your business. It might help to talk on the phone and they can help troubleshoot further! 

[schemjo]

Hi, last I recall the customer team was looking into this for me but I haven't heard back. Does anyone have other ideas?