chromebook

[davidmartin]

Does Square POS work with a chromebook. The connection between my current IPads with Bluetooth version 4 and the square reader is unreliable. I am considering using a Chromebook with Bluetooth 5.3 and the latest Square reader which also has Bluetooth 5.3.

IPads with 5.3 are too expensive and over specified for the task.

Thanks

David

[Breffni]

Hi @davidmartin thanks for your post. 

Sorry to hear you're running into some issues. 

The Reader should stay connected to your iPad but if the iPad software or Square app software is out of date it can cause connection issues as you've described. Do you know which version of software both are on? 

The Reader cannot be paired to laptops like Chromebooks at this time - the Reader connects to the Point of Sale app which is compatible with phones or tablets. 

You can use the Virtual Terminal via the Chromebook to accept payments but it requires that you manually enter your customer's card details and has a slightly higher fee than in-person payments on the app. 

It sounds like the best step here may be to try to figure out why you're experiencing connection issues and try to get your Reader and iPad working as intended. 

I'll keep an eye out for your reply. 

[davidmartin]

Thanks for your reply Breffini.  The Square readers and IPads we use auto update so should be on the latest versions.

We use Square in a theatre bar and it works well except for the clunky Bluetooth connection between reader and IPad.

There is probably interference from other devices over which we have no control. I would dearly like to have a reader that is hard wired eliminating the connection problems. Your Virtual Terminal is not suitable for a bar where almost all payments are contactless.  Your POS software on a 10 inch tablet is ideal for our business.

I see that the latest reader is Bluetooth 5.3 which has much improved connectivity apparently. This would be perfect except that there are almost no tablets running 5.3 except for extremely expensive ones which are wildly over specified for the job.

I wish your POS software and the new reader could be run on Windows 11 .  There is a very cheap dongle to upgrade a Windows laptop to Bluetooth 5.3 but no similar one for Android or Apple.

David

[Breffni]

Thanks for confirming @davidmartin. 

If possible, I'd suggest double-checking that all of your Point of Sale app is on version 6.22 and then run through the following steps:

Open Square Point of Sale App: 

1) Settings > Hardware > Card Readers > forget all card readers

2. Force-quit Square Point of Sale App

3. Open device settings 

4. Navigate to Bluetooth

5. Forget all Square Readers

6. Hold the button on the reader until the lights flash red

7. Reboot the Device

8. Re-launch the Square Point of Sale app, wait 1-2 minutes and re-pair the Reader. 

 I do acknowledge that there might be other factors contributing to the issue, but I hope this solution will be beneficial for a while.

Regarding an alternative device, I recommend considering the Square Terminal, which seems to be a perfect match for your bar. It's an all-in-one device that doesn't require external connections like a phone or tablet. Additionally, it enables you to print physical receipts for your customers. However, I understand that this suggestion involves an investment and requires careful consideration.

Otherwise, if we do intend to make the Reader compatible with devices like computers, I'll be sure to let you know here, but I don't believe it's on the current roadmap. 

Please let me know if I can help with anything else!

[davidmartin]

Thank you for your reply.

I will check that the POS software is on 6.22 when I am next at the theatre as you suggest.

The Square Terminal does not fit with a drinks bar business, the screen is too small and we don't want to keep handing over a device to the customer.  Everything is fixed in place for speed.

As for the re pairing the reader in steps 1-8 above, we have to carry out this exact exercise regularly as the reader disconnects frequently.  Not good when you have customers waiting for drinks.

I can tell you that I am not alone, I go to other places using Square who have the same pairing hassle.

You have an excellent system with one major flaw.

David

[amjessey]

Hi @davidmartin 

We use Chromebooks and Android (phones) in our business, along with Terminal and Card Reader. 

A lot of Chromebooks now run Android apps so it is possible that Square's Android POS app will run as you need it to. Like all these things though there are advantages and disadvantages of every hardware/software configuration and it requires testing for your specific environment.

I recommend purchasing a high end Chromebook to maximise feasibility. 

[davidmartin]

Thanks for the advice Alex.

In the second post in this thread Breffni said  "The Reader cannot be paired to laptops like Chromebooks at this time"

I this your experience ?

Windows compatability would be much better with a reader with a usb connection to the laptop / PC

David

[amjessey]

Hi @davidmartin 

I have not tried to pair our Reader to a Chromebook before and I don't have it with me to test, unfortunately.

What I have done just now is install the Square POS Android app on my Chromebook and have gone as far as I could pairing to a Reader without actually having the Reader with me. There were no errors so, so far so good.

  

[davidmartin]

Thanks Alex

I would be very interested to know if the Reader pairs to your Chromebook when you have the opportunity.

If it does, I would also like to know which Chromebook you have in case it is model dependant.

David 

[amjessey]

I work in a different location to where our Reader is so it may be a while before I can test this, but I can do it.

My Chromebook is an ASUS C434T. It's quite good but old now. There are better models. I hear the new HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is good, but it has a high price.  

Are you UK or US based? 

Here is more info on which models can run Android apps:

• https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/7021273?hl=en-GB
• https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/dev/chromium-os/chrome-os-systems-supporting-android-apps

Also, in addition to the above, app streaming is coming to Chromebooks, which might be useful too:

• https://www.androidpolice.com/chromebook-app-streaming-phone-first-look/

[amjessey]

Hi @davidmartin 

Wouldn't Square Stand or Square Register be a good fit for you?

https://squareup.com/gb/en/hardware

[davidmartin]

Our current system works perfectly apart from the flakey connection to the reader.

David