Changes to software updates on Square Register and Square Terminal

[Ryan_M]

"Keep your device plugged in and powered on overnight."

We are making changes to how software updates function on Square Register and Square Terminal to improve device performance and reliability. As a result, some software updates may now take longer than they do today.

We never want your business to be disrupted by a software update. To avoid disruptions, we recommend you keep your device plugged in and powered on overnight. Your device will check for and automatically install updates every night at 3am (or, change the time of automatic updates from 3am by going to Settings > Hardware > General > Nightly Reboot). Staying plugged in and powered on overnight keeps your device continuously updated and ready for use. 

If you can’t stay plugged in and powered on overnight, we recommend periodically checking your device for updates, or budgeting time to install critical updates at the start of your day. Go to Settings > Hardware > General > About Register or About Terminal to check for updates.

[AndyCam]

I am sick fed up of these updates that just install themselves regardless of clicking dismiss or ignore .

I lost probably over £100 tonight as just after midnight my terminal came up with software update, DISMISS or install now.

I clicked dismiss only to have the same message reappear , I clicked dismiss it reappeared then went straight to installing the update which took approximately ten minutes during which time I had to turn customers away.

Why why why can’t there be an option to choose a time to update ?

this wasn’t 3am as you claim , it was just after midnight 

this is the weakest part of a square and is seriously becoming a deal breaker 

This  has been raised so many times by others too and square does nothing to address the issue 

GIVE US THE OPTION TO LET US DECIDE WHEN TO INSTALL UPDATES

[_Violet]

Hi @AndyCam - Thanks for reaching out to us here on the Square Seller Community to bring this to our attention. I'm sorry to hear of your frustration surrounding the software updates for your Square Terminal. I've pulled some information from this Support Article that you may find insightful:

One of the benefits of Square Terminal is that we keep the software up to date automatically, so you’ll always get the latest features and improvements without any cost. We will update the software every 2-4 weeks. To enable automatic updates, you’ll just need to leave Square Terminal powered on and plugged in overnight. Automatic updates require a battery level of at least 35% to initiate. Square Terminal software includes a system update, Square app update and a firmware update.

If a Square app update is recommended before the automatic nightly update, a notification will appear on the screen. To defer this update, tap Update Tonight. The update will then begin overnight at 3 a.m. (or at your custom-set time) as long as your Square Terminal is powered on and plugged in. If you manually update your Square Terminal software from your settings, you will not see an option to defer the Square app update. The update may take up to 45 minutes to complete.

Software updates are, by default, set at 3 a.m. to avoid any disruption to your normal business hours. If you need to adjust your nightly reboot time, head to ≡ More > Settings > Hardware > General from the navigation bar at the bottom of your screen. Tap Nightly Reboot and select the time that works best for your business. Note: This adjustment will not take effect on the next nightly reboot, but instead the one after that.

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

[AndyCam]

Hi thanks for your reply 

there was NO option to install tonight 

I had the choice of install now or dismiss .

I chose dismiss and it still installed 

it took way beyond an ace to able time .

I don’t use my terminal daily so it’s not always plugged in but that aside I should be  able to tell the terminal when I want to install it .

this method is not acceptable for people like me who don’t use their terms I am daily and leave it connected 

a simple option to choose date and time would be the solution and why you can’t do that I don’t know 

thanks 

[Breffni]

Thank you for the details @AndyCam and I do understand your frustration - I'm sorry for this experience. 

For next time, I would suggest following the steps from Violet's message and adjusting the nightly reboot time - maybe to something before your business day starts. 

1. From the navigation bar, tap ≡ More > Settings > Hardware.
2. Tap General > Nightly Reboot and select the time that works best for your business

The Terminal won't update unless it's turned on, so if you turn it on an hour or so before you open it up it should give the Terminal enough time to update without disrupting your business.

I will pass your feedback on to the appropriate team so that we can consider if for future updates to our software.