offline mode questions

[BakerArchery]

Need to accept payments without wifi or cell signal.  Looking at a basic "reader". Will be using in Offline Mode during the day and connecting to internet at hotel in the evenings.

1: will it accept magstripe 'swipes' from cards with a chip in offline mode?

2: how many transactions can be stored in offline mode?

If the basic reader won't work, what is my best option?  We will mostly be using it in remote locations with no cell or wifi and need to be able to accept and store payments until we get to a connection.

[jjgard]

1. Yes, it will accept magstripe 'swipes' in offline mode.  

2. I don't believe there is a limit to how many transactions can be store in offline mode.  We've certainly never reached it here.

[BakerArchery]

can you swipe the magstrip in offline mode even if the card has a chip? Most cards have them these days and my own experience at stores is that if your card has a chip, you MUST use that-no 'swiping' allowed.  Not sure if that would apply if the retailer wasn't currently connected to the internet in some way.  This is really my only hang-up as far as using one of these card readers at an event where we have a sales booth.

[JJ_]

Offline mode only accepts magstripe at this time. EMV chip is the preferred method of processing if internet is available but if it comes to you needing to process a payment while offline you would be able to swipe the card while offline.

I hope this information is helpful!

[_Violet]

Hi @BakerArchery - Thanks for reaching out to us here on the Square Seller Community👋 And thank you @jjgard for sharing what you have so far!

I'm happy to provide you with some additional info on using Offline Mode. You will also find all the details here in this article from our Support Center. Offline Mode will only work for magstripe cards. Chip card transactions and contactless (NFC) payments can’t be processed in Offline Mode.

This limit on payment amounts automatically defaults to $100 when Offline Mode is enabled and the maximum per transaction limit is $50,000. To set a limit for card transactions taken offline, enter an amount next to Per Transaction Limit.

Offline payments are processed automatically when your device is connected to the internet again. It's very important to note that payments will expire if you do not reconnect to the internet within 72 hours of the original transaction.

I hope this information is helpful but please do let me know if you have any additional questions.

[BakerArchery]

Thank you for the reply.  I have read this information on your website.  My question is specifically about using the magstripe reader on cards that have a chip.  Almost everyone's cards have a chip these days, and my personal experience is that I cannot 'swipe' my card in ANY reader that also has a 'chip reader'.  They know the card HAS a chip, so I can't 'swipe'.

so my question: Does the Stripe reader allow magstrip 'swipes' in offline mode even if the card does have a chip?

[appgap]

I have multiple folks working for me, some of whom occasionally have to use offline mode. They do not have permissions to change their own transaction limits. Is there somewhere I can raise the limit from my Square Dashboard?

[Arie]

At this time, the transaction limit can only be edited on the device the offline payment is taken on, @appgap. I'd be happy to pass this suggestion on to our product team, as I can see how handy it would be to edit this remotely on your staff's behalf. 

PS. I noticed it's your first post, welcome to our community 👋 🙂

[Stonecreations]

I’m getting ready for a big show and I won’t have access to Internet. I have the Square magnistrip, and I need to know if I can use it in the off-line mode.

[JK_Fiber_Art]

Hi Stonecreations,

Check out this previous Community post concerning your question.  Note, I have tried this myself but, according to that conversation, it should work.   Just make sure that you process the transactions as soon as possible.  Also be aware of some of the other details mentioned.