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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.

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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 typeConsiderations
USB with the Shopify POS HubRecommended for the most reliable setup. Compatible with iPad and Android devices.
BluetoothCompatible with iPad, iPhone, or Android device. The reader automatically connects whenever both devices are turned on and in range.
USB-C cableCompatible 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
  1. Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
  2. In Shopify POS, tap the Connectivity Icon icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
  3. Tap Card reader.
  4. On the Select device type page, tap Tap & Chip.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

  1. Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
  2. In Shopify POS, tap the Connectivity Icon icon, and then tap + Add hardware.
  3. Tap Card reader.
  4. On the Select device type page, tap Tap & Chip.
  5. On the Select your connection type page, tap USB.
  6. Connect the USB-C cable to the port on the right side of the card reader. Connect the other end to the POS device.
  7. If it's your first time connecting the reader, then you need to configure the reader with Shopify POS:
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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:

  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.
    4. Keep Shopify POS open. Supported USB hardware that you connect to the Shopify POS Hub is added automatically in Shopify POS.

  2. Press and release the power button to turn on the card reader.

  3. 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.

  4. After a few moments, Shopify POS automatically adds the card reader. If prompted by the device, then allow the card reader connection.

  5. In Shopify POS, tap the Connectivity Icon icon, and then confirm that the card reader is connected.

Disconnect your Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader from the Shopify POS Hub

If you no longer want to use your Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader with the Shopify POS Hub, then you can disconnect it from Shopify POS.

Steps:

  1. In Shopify POS, tap the Connectivity Icon icon.
  2. Tap the device that you want to remove.
  3. Tap Forget card reader.
  4. If you don't see the option, then unplug the device's USB cable from the Shopify POS Hub first, wait for it to display as Disconnected, and then try again.

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:

  1. From Shopify POS, tap the Connectivity Icon icon.
  2. Tap the name of your connected card reader.
  3. 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 Connectivity Icon 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. Optional updates include general improvements for card payments, and required updates include security updates to protect transactions.
  • If a firmware update is required, then the card reader isn't available 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.
  • Optional updates can make your reader unavailable for up to 2 minutes, and required updates can make your reader unavailable for up to 10 minutes.

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