Connecting and managing the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader with your POS device

On this page, you can find instructions on how to pair and connect the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader to your POS device, as well as how to switch between connection types and unpair the reader when needed. Before you begin, make sure that your store meets the requirements for using the Tap & Chip Card Reader.

Choose how to connect your Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader

You can connect the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader in the following ways:

Card reader connection types
Connection type	Considerations
USB with the Shopify POS Hub	Recommended for the most reliable setup. Compatible with iPad and Android devices.
Bluetooth	Compatible with iPad, iPhone, or Android device. The reader automatically connects whenever both devices are turned on and in range.
USB-C cable	Compatible with Android devices. After the initial setup, the reader connects automatically when you plug in the cable.

Pair and connect the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader to your POS device

To use the card reader with Shopify POS, you need to pair the reader with your POS device.

Bluetooth

Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
In Shopify POS, tap the icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
Tap Card reader.
On the Select device type page, tap Tap & Chip.
Press and hold the power button on the card reader for 4 seconds, then release. The 4 LED indicator lights across the top flash back and forth to indicate that the reader is ready for pairing. Make sure that you release the power button when the LED lights flash back and forth in blue. If you continue holding the power button, then the reader turns off.
When the card reader displays in the Available card readers section, tap Connect.

USB-C

If you use a POS Tablet Stand (USB-C), then depending on the tablet model, you might experience issues. To learn more about supported Android tablets, refer to Shopify POS Support on Android.

Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
In Shopify POS, tap the icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
Tap Card reader.
On the Select device type page, tap Tap & Chip.
On the Select your connection type page, tap USB.
Connect the USB-C cable to the port on the right side of the card reader. Connect the other end to the POS device.
If it's your first time connecting the reader, then you need to configure the reader with Shopify POS:
A pop-up window displays that says "Open Shopify POS to handle CHB#####". In this window, select Always open Shopify POS when CHB##### is connected, and then select OK.
A second pop-up window displays that says "Allow Shopify POS to handle CHB####". In this window, select Always open Shopify POS when CHB##### is connected, and then select OK.
Tap Connect > Done.

Connect the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader using Shopify POS Hub

Use the Shopify POS Hub to connect the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader by USB to a compatible iPad or Android device.

Steps:

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.
Press and release the power button to turn on the card reader.
In Shopify POS, tap the icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
Tap Card reader.
On the Select device type page, tap Tap & Chip.
On the Select your connection type page, tap USB.
Connect the USB-C cable to the port on the right side of the card reader, and then connect the other end to a USB port on the Shopify POS Hub.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the connection.
Tap Connect > Done.

Switch between Bluetooth and USB connections

If you've manually set up Bluetooth and USB connections, then you can automatically switch the two connection types. When the card reader is plugged in with the USB-C cable, the connection defaults to USB connection. When you unplug the card reader, the connection switches to Bluetooth.

When switching between connection types, your reader disconnects for a few seconds before it reconnects. You can view the connection status in Shopify POS by tapping the connectivity symbol in the menu bar.

Unpair the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader from your POS device

You can use the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader with only one device at a time. If you want to use the card reader with another device, then you need to first unpair it from its current device.

Steps:

From Shopify POS, tap the icon.
Tap the name of your connected card reader.
Tap Forget card reader.

If your Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is connected using Bluetooth, then go to your device's Bluetooth settings and forget the reader from the list of previously connected devices.

Firmware updates on the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader

You might be prompted to update your Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader's firmware. Firmware updates are designed to improve reliability, provide bug fixes, and give access to features that previous card reader versions don't support.

Firmware updates display in Shopify POS in the navigation bar where the More option displays. They're also found by tapping the icon and selecting your card reader in the Hardware section. If there's a firmware update available when the reader is initially paired, then the update automatically starts.

Considerations for firmware updates

Review the following considerations for Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader firmware updates:

Some firmware updates are optional and some are required. Required firmware updates contain bug fixes or include a new feature.
If a firmware update is required, then you can't process card sales until the update completes. You can still process payments as cash, gift card, or as a custom payment method when the update is in progress.
The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader needs at least 50% battery to apply a firmware update.
Firmware updates take 5-10 minutes to complete.

If you have issues updating your card reader, then refer to the Troubelshoot over-the-air update issues.