Setting up Shopify POS Terminal

The Shopify POS Terminal Dock (formerly "POS Go Dock") can be combined with Shopify POS Terminal Reader (formerly "POS Go") to become a customer facing screen and payment terminal known as the Shopify POS Terminal. When the Shopify POS Terminal is connected to a tablet, the customer can view their cart information and complete payment of their order.

Depending on the version of the Shopify POS Terminal Dock that you're using, you can connect the dock to your network in the following ways:

• Wi-Fi: Connects to your network using only Wi-Fi.
• Wi-Fi + Ethernet: Connects using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection.

Requirements for using Shopify POS Terminal

To use Shopify POS Terminal, you need to meet all of the hardware, payments and location, and network requirements.

Hardware requirements

To use Shopify POS Terminal you need to have the following hardware:

• Shopify POS Terminal Dock (formerly POS Go Dock).
• POS device, such as a smartphone or tablet, running Shopify POS version 8.16 or higher. The device must have a camera to scan the QR code during setup.

Payments and location requirements

To use Shopify POS Terminal you need to meet the following payment provider and location requirements:

• Your store needs to have Shopify Payments activated as your store's payment provider, and have Test mode deactivated.

• Your physical retail locations need to be based in the same country that your store is based in.
• Your store's currency needs to match the local currency of your physical store's location.

Network requirements for Shopify POS Terminal

Shopify POS Terminal connects to your network and the internet using Wi-Fi. If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock, then you can also use a wired Ethernet connection. If you use a router, then refer to your router’s manual and reconfigure the networking setup as required. For the Shopify POS Terminal to connect to your network, you need to meet these requirements:

• Your network is set up to use the Shopify POS app.
• You have access to your network and the internet by using a WPA2 Wi-Fi network. If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock, then you can also use an Ethernet cable.
• Your POS device and Shopify POS Terminal need to be connected to the same local network.
• The local network needs to have a functional Internet connection.
• Peer to Peer communication on the network must be available:
  • In your router settings, turn off the option that says “block clients from reaching any private IP”. Or turn on the option that says “allow guests to view each other and access local network”.
  • Contact your network administrator if you believe P2P communication might be deactivated on your local network.
• The POS app needs local network permission on iOS. The Shopify POS iOS app requests certain permissions when first installed on the device. The “Local network” permission is required to establish a connection with Shopify POS Terminal. From the Settings app, tap Shopify POS in the list. Tapping Shopify POS opens a screen that displays the Local Network permission toggle.
• UPnP (Universal Plug-n-Play) router setting should be activated (optional). The UPnP setting on the router allows devices on the network to discover each other. Ideally, this should be activated so that POS can find the paired Shopify POS Terminal on the network to automatically repair connections when possible.

Considerations for using the Shopify POS Terminal

Review the following considerations before using Shopify POS Terminal:

Payment and transaction behavior

• Default payment device: After you activate customer display mode, Shopify POS Terminal becomes the default device for Credit and Debit card transactions.
• Single terminal connection: You can use multiple card readers with Shopify POS, but you can only connect one Shopify POS Terminal to the POS app at a time.
• First checkout connection: If an error displays during the first checkout after setup, tap Try again to reconnect Shopify POS Terminal.
• Payment cancellation display: When you tap X to cancel a payment, the screen displays a processing message. The payment is canceled, but the message might display briefly.

Geographic considerations for country changes

• Country change: To use the same Shopify POS Terminal in a different supported country, first perform a factory reset on Shopify POS Terminal. Then complete setup again and select the country where you're using Shopify POS Terminal. Make sure that your store meets the payments and location requirements for that country.

Display and interface

• Screen orientation: Keep Shopify POS Terminal Dock on a flat, level surface to prevent the screen from flipping orientation.
• Thank you screen freeze: If Shopify POS Terminal becomes stuck on the thank you screen, restart the device by holding the top button and tapping Restart.

Receipt and customer information

• Receipt handling: For unpaid orders, you need to handle receipt options through Shopify POS on your POS device. You can't select receipt options directly on Shopify POS Terminal for unpaid orders.

Device operation

• Power restrictions: You can't power off Shopify POS Terminal during use while it's docked. If you attempt to power it off, it automatically turns back on.
• Dock requirement: After the stop-sell dates (August 28, 2024 in the US, September 25, 2024 globally), Shopify POS Terminal Reader can only be used when docked. It can't function as a standalone mobile device.

Where to buy

Shopify POS Terminal is available from the Shopify Hardware store in supported countries.

Components of Shopify POS Terminal

Shopify POS Terminal is created by inserting the Shopify POS Terminal Reader (formerly POS Go) into the Shopify POS Terminal Dock (formerly POS Go Dock). Both components combine to create a payment terminal with a customer display that pairs with your POS device to create a complete setup for sales at the counter.

Shopify POS Terminal Reader

The Shopify POS Terminal Reader (formerly "POS Go") inserts into the Shopify POS Terminal Dock to create Shopify POS Terminal.

The Shopify POS Terminal Reader has the following features:

• Supports Wi-Fi connectivity when inserted into the Shopify POS Terminal Dock. If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock, then you can also connect using Ethernet.
• Accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments.
• Includes a customizable customer display.

Shopify POS Terminal Dock

Shopify POS Terminal Dock (formerly POS Go Dock) connects with the Shopify POS Terminal Reader to create Shopify POS Terminal.

The Shopify POS Terminal Dock has the following features:

• Connects to your network using Wi-Fi. If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock, then the dock also supports a wired Ethernet connection for network connectivity.
• Headphones can be plugged into the Shopify POS Terminal Reader with the Shopify POS Terminal Dock to use the text-to-speech functionality.
• Keeps the Shopify POS Terminal Reader charged and secure at the counter.

Set up the Shopify POS Terminal (formerly "POS Go")

Before you can use the Shopify POS Terminal, you need to set up the Shopify POS Terminal Reader.

Steps:

1. Charge Shopify POS Terminal reader, and then turn it on.
2. Select the country where you're using Shopify POS Terminal.
3. Select the Wi-Fi network. Enter the password, tap Join > Connect. The Shopify POS Terminal reader automatically checks for updates and applies them.
4. Log in to Shopify POS.

Dock Shopify POS Terminal Reader

To begin accepting payments with Shopify POS Terminal, insert the Shopify POS Terminal Reader into the Shopify POS Terminal Dock.

Steps:

1. If the Shopify POS Terminal Reader is in a case, then remove it to place it in the dock.
2. Plug the Shopify POS Terminal Dock into a power source that supports USB-A.
3. Optional: If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock and want to use a wired connection, then plug an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the dock and into your router.
4. Insert Shopify POS Terminal Reader into the dock.
5. Tap Set up POS Terminal. The screen displays a QR code and instructions for you to complete the setup.

Plugging in the USB cable isn't required but is strongly recommended to ensure that your Shopify POS Terminal remains fully charged and ready to accept payments at any time.

Charge Shopify POS Terminal using Shopify POS Hub

You can use the Shopify POS Hub to keep Shopify POS Terminal charged. The USB connection only supplies power. Shopify POS Terminal still pairs with the POS app over your local network.

Steps:

1. Before you connect your hardware to the Shopify POS Hub, set up the POS Hub:

   1. Plug the Shopify POS Hub power cord into a power source.
   2. Connect the Shopify POS Hub's USB-C or Lightning cable to your POS device.
   3. Plug the other end of the Shopify POS Hub's USB-C or Lightning cable into the tablet port on the bottom of the Shopify POS Hub. Don't use any other USB-C port on the Shopify POS Hub for the tablet cable.

2. Connect the USB-A end of the charging cable to a peripheral USB-A port on the Shopify POS Hub.

3. Connect the USB-C end of the charging cable to Shopify POS Terminal.

4. Confirm that Shopify POS Terminal is charging.

Remove the Shopify POS Terminal Reader from the dock

To remove the Shopify POS Terminal Reader from the dock, pull the reader by the card slot upwards with force.

Connect Shopify POS Terminal to your tablet

To accept payments with Shopify POS Terminal, you must pair it with your POS device running Shopify POS.

Steps:

1. Tap Set up POS Terminal. A QR code displays on the screen. If the QR code isn't displayed, then swipe from right to left and tap Reset connection to POS.
2. In your POS device settings, ensure your device is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Shopify POS Terminal.
3. In Shopify POS, login to the same store and location as your Shopify POS Terminal.
4. In Shopify POS, set up Shopify POS Terminal:
   1. Tap the *** icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
   2. Tap Card reader > POS Terminal.
   3. Review the setup prompts and tap Scan QR Code.
5. To complete the set up, scan the QR code displayed on Shopify POS Terminal with your POS device camera.
6. When successfully connected, your POS device displays a message that it's Connected to POS.
7. Tap Done.

Charging the Shopify POS Terminal in the dock

You can charge the POS Terminal Reader using the included USB-C cable. To charge the reader, plug the small end of the USB connector into the POS Terminal Reader, and then plug the large end into a phone charger.

Make sure your charger meets the minimum specifications of 5V/2A - Output 10W or 9V/2A - Output 18W. The charger should be able to supply at least 2A of current. A higher current or a charger with a dual label, such as with 5V and 9V, also charges the POS Go.

If the minimum charger specifications are met, then the POS Terminal Reader takes 2-3 hours to charge fully using a wall adapter. After the POS Terminal Reader is fully charged, its battery should last for a whole day of selling.

Network priority

If you have the Wi-Fi + Ethernet POS Terminal Dock and an Ethernet cable is plugged in, then Shopify POS Terminal prioritizes the Ethernet connection over Wi-Fi. If you previously configured Shopify POS Terminal for Wi-Fi, then it automatically switches to Ethernet when you plug in the cable. When you unplug the cable or remove the reader from the dock, it switches back to Wi-Fi.

If you have the Wi-Fi POS Terminal Dock, then Shopify POS Terminal uses only Wi-Fi to connect to your network.

Access settings on Shopify POS Terminal

The settings panel on Shopify POS Terminal displays the information about your connection and lets you make the following changes to the setup:

• Change your network settings.
• Initiate a reconnection to the POS device using a QR code.
• View your network status and make changes to the network settings.

To access the settings panel, swipe from right to left starting at the edge of the screen on Shopify POS Terminal.