Shopify POS offline features
When using Shopify POS offline, some features require an internet connection. Review the following considerations for offline features and hardware compatibility.
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Shopify POS features that require an internet connection
Review the following table to learn more about the Shopify POS features that require an internet connection and their offline behavior.
| Feature | Offline behavior |
|---|---|
| Logging in | The Shopify POS app requires an internet connection to import your store's products when you log in. If you lose your internet connection after logging in, then you can continue using the app as long as you don't log out. |
| Creating new products | You can't save a new product without an internet connection. |
| Searching for, editing, and creating customers | You can't search for, edit, or create a customer when you're offline. |
| Accepting tips | You can't accept tips when you're offline. |
| Gift cards | You can't accept gift cards, or sell gift cards when you're offline. |
| Processing card transactions | If you don't have an internet connection, then you might be able to process offline credit and debit card payments, but you won't be able to capture the payment until your POS device reconnects to the internet. You can still accept payments by cash and manual payments set up as custom payment methods. If you use a POS Terminal Reader with Shopify Payments, you might be able to authorize card-present payments in real time while offline checkout is turned on. |
| Syncing Shopify POS with your Shopify admin | Shopify POS can't sync orders and inventory with your Shopify admin when you're offline. When you reconnect to the internet after being offline, your orders and inventory should sync automatically. You can also manually force the Shopify POS app to sync with your Shopify admin. |
| Saving and sharing carts | You can't save or share carts when you're offline. You also can't view a recent cart that was created on another device. |
| Shipping orders to customers | You can't complete a ship-to-customer order if you don't have an internet connection. |
| Exchanges, returns, and voids | You can't process exchanges, returns, or voids when you're offline. |
| Discount codes and automatic discounts | Discount codes and automatic discounts don't work when you're offline. Manual discounts still work. |
| Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) | You can't fulfill buy online, pick up in store orders when you're offline. |
How actions that require an internet connection display in Shopify POS
When your device is offline, actions that can't be completed without an internet connection are grayed out and can't be selected. If you tap one of these actions, then a message explains why it's unavailable and what to do, such as reconnecting to the internet.
To check your connection, open the Connectivity menu in Shopify POS.
Offline order numbering
Using POS apps offline
Some apps that use POS UI Extensions can work when your device is offline. Apps with offline support continue working when you lose internet connection. Apps without offline support are unavailable until you reconnect to the internet. Learn more about POS UI Extensions.
If you're unsure whether a specific app works offline, then contact the app developer to confirm offline support.
Using Shopify POS hardware offline
Review the following table to learn more about which POS hardware requires an internet connection and how each device works offline.
| Hardware | Internet connection requirement | Offline behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Card reader | Internet connection is required | Most card readers require an internet connection to process a payment. You might be able to process offline payments when you have no internet connection, but you won't be able to capture the payment until you reconnect to the internet. If you use a POS Terminal Reader with Shopify Payments, you might be able to authorize card-present payments in real time when offline checkout is turned on. If you're using an external credit card terminal, then you can check with your provider whether your terminal needs to be connected to the internet. |
| Barcode printer | Internet connection isn't required for all tasks. | The barcode printer needs to be connected to the internet when printing from the Shopify admin using the Barcode Printer app. If you're printing barcodes using the Dymo Label Software, then you don't need an internet connection. |
| Cash drawer | Internet connection isn't required | The cash drawer can be opened manually using the key that comes with it. To open automatically, the cash drawer needs to be connected to a receipt printer using a cable, and the receipt printer needs to be connected to the POS device using Bluetooth or LAN. |
| Receipt printer | Internet connection isn't required | Depending on the type of receipt printer you have, you need either a Bluetooth or a LAN connection. |
| Barcode scanner | Internet connection isn't required | The barcode scanner needs to be connected to Shopify POS using Bluetooth. |