"Every second counts."
Migrating hardware can be hard. We all know that, in your restaurant, "every second counts". Some of you may recognize and relate to that quote from the hit television series, The Bear. As I reflected on this event and topic, I felt compelled to fold in some of my favorite lines from that show — thanks for indulging me. On July 11, 2024, the Seller Community brought together a bunch of Food & Beverage focused Square team members to provide the information you need to migrate from iOS kitchen display system (KDS) to Android KDS. We want to ensure you have enough time to find the best setup and resources to keep going forward.
“Whatever grows together, goes together.”
The Square for Restaurants product marketing manager, @emusumano, started the presentation by explaining what's happening and the details of moving from iOS to Android for your KDS. Next, the product manager, @ishaan, and product specialist, @abbeyc, teamed up to demonstrate the process, step by step.
- Ticket completion
- Printer formatting
- New features exclusive to the Android app
- Directions for accessing beta features
- Selecting replacement Android devices
- Ordering and setting up new hardware
- Downloading and configuring the Android app
- Activating KDS using the Square Dashboard code
Our goal was for you to come away with knowing about the June 2025 deadline, the risks of waiting to make the switch, the migration process, hardware options, and the available support & resources.
"Listened and learned."
Finally, we wrapped everything up by addressing questions from audience members live. The most upvoted questions were:
Q: Can we use iPad and android KDS at the same time?
A: Yes you can! You can trial using one Android KDS with your iOS KDS before you fully transition to Android for all your KDSs.
Q: Will I get these new features if I still use my iOS device or do I have to switch to Android?
A: All the new features we showed during the demonstration are only on Android.
Q: Is it going to be possible to use a large Android TV with a bump bar or something similar? Something that's not a touchscreen.
A: We are only focused on supporting touch screens at this moment, although bump bars are on our radar. We have larger 15" and 20" tablets for Android though!
We asked the audience, "How many iOS devices do you plan to migrate to Android?" and gathered their perspectives. Of the responses from restaurant owners who were present at the time of the webinar, nearly a third said they use only one device, but a significant number had two or more.
With that, we understand that a meaningful number of folks have multiple devices that they'll have to migrate. Please read on for everything you need to know.
“It’s all about nurturing."
You can watch the full recording in the Video Library by clicking the blue button below.
Watch: Migrating to Square KDS on Android
For complete details, have a look at these Support Center articles:
- How to Migrate to Android from Square KDS on iOS
- How to Get Started with Square KDS for Android
- Purchase a replacement Android device on Square Shop
- Explore larger screen options on Square Shop
Aren’t ready to part ways with your restaurant's beloved iPads?
- Our partner, Fresh KDS offers a smooth transition for those preferring to stay with iOS. Their team offers two months free, 24/7 chat support, and an annual pricing match.
Timeline reminder:
- You may continue to use the Square KDS for iOS app until June 2025, but the app will no longer be supported with updates and cannot be downloaded from the App store.
Thanks for tuning in and sticking with us through this change! Be sure to keep watch on the Events Calendar for the latest updates on future webinars. We look forward to seeing you next time!
Tom Reem is a Square Seller Community manager based in San Francisco. He’s passionate about connecting with local businesses and championing resources that help them thrive.
This event is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. For guidance or advice specific to your business, you should consult with a qualified legal professional.