Hello! We’re in the process of rolling out the latest version of the Appointments app for iOS (3.0) and we wanted to let you know what sort of changes to expect. While the list is a little long, I think you’ll be pretty excited about the functionality we’re introducing! Here we go:
App Upgrade Logout: Since we packed so many changes in the latest update, you’ll need to sign back in after the download. If you’re not certain what your login details are, you might want to hold off on the update until after the business day. If you’ve misplaced your password (we’ve all been there), you can learn how to reset your password from our Support Center.
Hardware: Just like the Square Point of Sale app, you’ll be able to use the same Square Readers with the Appointments App. If you are using a Square Contactless and Chip Card Reader, you’ll have to re-pair it with the new app, but we’ll walk you through that process following the app update. If you do run into any issues, you can check out our Square Contactless and Chip Card Reader Troubleshooting.
Navigation Bar: Similar to what you’ve always seen inside of the Square Point of Sale app, we’re introducing a side-navigation bar in the Appointments app. In addition to Calendar, Clients, and Settings, you’ll also be able to access a number of other features without maneuvering to another app. Take a look:
Calendar: You can view, manage, and check out your appointments directly from the Calendar tab. You might think that nothing much here has changed, but you should take a look at the new experience when tapping the Checkout button-- In the new version, you’ll be prompted to take a payment directly from the app, rather than switching into Square Point of Sale.
Once the appointment is checked out, this status will be reflected in your calendar. The new calendar helps color code your appointments based on their status, so you can more easily view which ones are checked out, upcoming, or pending.
Checkout: Have to take a one-off payment from a client? You can hop into the Checkout tab and take ad hoc payments on the fly.
Refunds: Since you now have access to the Transactions tab with the introduction of the navigation bar, you’ll be able to issue refunds right inside the Appointments app. If you need a refresher, learn now to issue a refund.
Offline Mode: Since we’ve brought checkout into the Appointments app, we’re also introducing the ability to enable Offline Mode from the Settings tab. If you know you’ll be in situation with limited internet connection, learn more about Offline Mode and how to use it.
Reporting: From the Reports tab, you’ll be able to access sales history and deposit information directly from the app. Learn more about in-app summaries and reports.
Employee Sales Tracking: To track your staff sales, manage time cards, and limit permissions, you’ll now be utilizing the features of Employee Management. If you’re already signed up for Employee Management, the cost of these features is included in your monthly subscription to Appointments. Learn more about getting started with Employee Management.
Time cards: You’ll be able to create a staff member, assign them a passcode, and then track their hours. Learn how to get started with Time Cards.
Updates to Roles: We’ve updated our Staff Roles to better relate to the types of jobs that people do in Appointment-based businesses. Now, you’ll also be able to further customize these roles by editing your permission groups from Square Dashboard. Here’s a guide the new naming structure:
Locations: While you were able to switch locations in-app on the previous version of Square Appointments, you will need to sign out and then back in again to switch between locations. We know this isn’t ideal, but it’s definitely something on our radar as an improvement!
Loyalty: Clients will still be able to accrue stars and earn rewards from your sales, but in order to view and update your customer’s Loyalty status, you’ll need to to switch to the Point of Sale app and access these details from the Customers tab. Learn more about using Loyalty.
Taxes: Taxes will automatically apply to items sold through the Appointments app. To add sales tax to a service, you’ll need to manually enable for each service during the checkout flow.
Since we’re slowly rolling this update out to everyone, if you don’t see it right way, it should be there soon. While we don’t have a way to speed this part up, it’ll be worth the wait!
We’re very excited to see this update make it to you and want to know what you think! As always, comments are welcome (and encouraged).
