Frequently asked questions

How do I start using Square POS?

Download the Square POS app and sign in to open your account. Start accepting payments by entering card numbers without a reader. Order a Square Reader for just £19 + VAT, which should arrive in 2–3 business days, or you can pick one up at a participating retail store.

How long will it take to set up my Point of Sale?

Getting set up to accept debit and credit cards on Square only takes a few minutes. And with a few more minutes, you can set up items and take advantage of our entire suite of products to help you run and grow.

How long does it take to get trained?

Square is intuitive to use and easy to get started on. Usually people get up to speed in less than an hour, no lengthy training seminars necessary. Find out more details from our Get Started Guide in our Support Centre.

What if I have a question about my Square Point of Sale?

Our highly trained Support team is available via phone or email. Phone support is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday and email is available 24/7. You can also visit the Support Centre 24/7 to find useful tips, articles and thorough video walkthroughs.

How much does Square POS cost?

Our Point of Sale app is free and can support all kinds of businesses at any stage or size. The processing rate is 1.75% per Chip and PIN or contactless payment for every major debit and credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. There are no other monthly fees, contracts or commitments.

Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?

Nope. There are no commitments, long-term contracts, startup fees, authorisation fees, statement fees, PCI-compliance fees or business card fees. Just pay when you use it. That’s it.

Do I have to pay for each of my employees to use Square Point of Sale?

No. Basic POS functionality for any number of employees is free with Team Management, which also offers more advanced employee controls for a per-location fee.

What cards can I accept with POS? Does the fee I pay vary by card?

You can accept every major card – Visa, Mastercard and American Express – all for the same rate.

What does Square do to help with fraud protection?

Our systems monitor your payments to keep an eye on suspicious transactions. Machine learning and human expertise work hand in hand to adapt our technology to the shifting fraud landscape every day. And our team of fraud experts reaches out to you if we notice anything unusual.

What methods of payment can my customers use?

You can accept cards, mobile payments, cash, cheques and gift cards.

How do I take a payment with Square?

You can easily accept payments with Square hardware connected to your phone or tablet, through digital invoices or with your computer.

How do I issue refunds?

It’s really simple — here are instructions to take you through it. And don’t worry, you aren’t charged a transaction fee on refunds.

How quickly can I access my funds?

You can get your money the next business day as standard for no additional charge or immediately transferred to your bank account for a small fee.

Can I still take payments without a signal?

Yes, with offline payments you can accept payments even when your internet service is temporarily unavailable. Any payment you take will automatically be sent through when you regain connectivity. Learn more about offline payments here.

Does the app work with my iPhone, iPad or Android device?

Yes, it does.

Can I manage my inventory from my Point of Sale?

Square inventory management lets you keep a clear count of in-stock items in your item library. With inventory enabled, the stock count updates based on sales from the Square app, through Square Invoices, and for orders shipped through your online store.

Does Square Point of Sale connect to printers or scales?

Yes, Square now works with multiple printers and scales. For a full list of printers, check out our POS Hardware Shop.

Can I sell online with Square POS?

Square Online powers your online business with tons of eCommerce features. Square automatically syncs across your online shop and POS, so it’s easy to keep track of orders, items and inventory.

Does Square POS work with my existing business tools and services?

From accounting apps (Xero, Kashflow, etc.) and eCommerce solutions (Wix, WooCommerce, GoDaddy, etc.) to inventory and team management (Deputy, etc.), Square works with apps for any need. Connect in just a few steps, sync your data and manage apps right from your Square Dashboard.

What kind of hardware solutions sync with Square Point of Sale?

Your point of sale seamlessly integrates with any Square hardware solution. Try Square Register or Square Reader, or connect Square Terminal to your POS to give customers a private, separate screen to check out from a safe distance.

Explore hardware solutions

How much does Square hardware cost?

Square Reader, which accepts contactless and chip & PIN card payments, is just £19 + VAT. We also offer all-in-one and countertop hardware options to help you ring up items and accept payments fast. Learn more about POS hardware.

Is the hardware rented or purchased?

All hardware, once purchased outright or through our interest-free instalments plan, is completely owned by you. No rental agreements or lease contracts needed.

How durable is Square hardware?

Our hardware is designed and tested to withstand the busiest checkouts, day in and day out. We back this up with a limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty on all hardware purchased on Square Shop.

What other fees do I have to pay with hardware?

Besides your payment processing fees, none whatsoever.

What's your hardware warranty policy?

We cover your Square hardware against all defects in materials or workmanship through our limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

What's your hardware return policy?

Any piece of Square hardware can be returned directly to the original point of purchase if you are not fully satisfied with it. We offer a 30-day, risk-free return policy on all hardware purchased from Square Shop.

What happens if I break my hardware?

Square hardware is built to be relied on. If you run into any issues with your hardware, reach out to our Support team. You can also order replacement accessories directly on Square Shop.