Chipper 2X BT card reader

The Chipper 2X BT card reader is no longer sold by Shopify. If you own a Chipper 2X BT card reader and your store is based in the United States, then you can still get support for the product.

The Chipper 2X BT card reader is EMV-compliant and connects wirelessly to iPads and iPhones, and either wirelessly or through micro-USB to Android devices. You can use the Chipper 2X BT card reader to accept tap, chip, and swipe payments with the Shopify POS app.

The Chipper 2X BT card reader for Shopify POS

Chipper 2X BT card reader requirements

To use the Chipper 2X BT card reader, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Your store needs to be based in the United States.
  • Your retail store's payment provider needs to be Shopify Payments and test mode is turned off.
  • Your physical retail locations need to be based in the United States.
  • You need to sell in USD.
  • You need to use the Shopify POS app.

Shopify POS app iOS and Android device compatibility requirements

The Shopify POS app is available for only iOS and Android devices. It's not available for laptop or desktop computers.

The Shopify POS app works with devices that meet the following requirements:

List of iPhones, iPads, Android devices, and POS Go, plus the required generations and operating systems, that work with the Shopify POS app.
DeviceDescription
iPadGeneration 5 or higher running iPadOS 15 or higher
iPad Air Generation 2 or higher running iPadOS 15 or higher
iPad miniGeneration 4 or higher running iPadOS 15 or higher
iPad ProAll iPad Pro models running iPadOS 15 or higher
iPhoneiPhone 7 or higher running iOS 15 or higher
POS GoPOS Go running the latest Shopify-provided software updates
AndroidPhone or tablet running official Android version 10.0 or higher, with Google Play Services and Google Mobile Services enabled

The Shopify POS app no longer supports iOS 14 or lower. With older versions of iOS, you can continue to use the app but you can no longer update it. To take advantage of bug fixes and new features, you need to update your device to iOS 15 or higher. If that isn't possible, then switch to using Shopify POS on another device that is running iOS 15 or higher.

iOS 15 permission requirements

If you update your device to iOS 15 or higher and use third-party Shopify apps, then you might need to activate Cross-Website tracking in your iOS settings. Cross-Website tracking lets third-party Shopify apps that you install in your Shopify admin stay connected in Shopify Inbox, Shopify Point of Sale, and the Shopify app.

To activate Cross-Website tracking, complete the following steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your device.
  2. Tap Shopify, Shopify POS, or Shopify Inbox.
  3. Activate Allow Cross-Website Tracking.

Supported payment types

You can use the Chipper 2X BT card reader to accept payments from the following payment types:

  • Visa and Visa Debit
  • Mastercard and Debit Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover (only for locations in United States, Canada, and United Kingdom)
  • Diners Club (only for locations in United States, Canada, and United Kingdom)
  • JCB (only for locations in United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand)
  • Union Pay (only for locations in United States and Canada)
  • eftpos (Australia only)
  • Interac (Canada only)

Most national debit cards such as Interac, girocard, or eftpos cards that are co-badged with Visa or Mastercard can process payments outside the card issuer's country using Visa and Mastercard. Some co-badged debit cards that don't process payments through Mastercard or Visa might not work outside the card issuer's country.

On hardware that supports contactless payments, customers might also present any supported card brand that they've loaded on a digital wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

Power the Chipper 2X BT card reader on and off

To turn on the Chipper 2X BT card reader, press and release its power button. After the status light indicator turns on, wait until the status light turns blue. If you've already paired and connected the reader with your POS device, then the reader automatically reconnects to the device.

After 30 seconds of inactivity, the Chipper 2X BT card reader enters standby mode. The reader stays connected to Shopify POS during standby mode and automatically exits standby mode when you resume activity. The reader automatically turns off after 10 hours of inactivity. To turn the reader off manually, press and hold the power button until the status light goes out. You don't need to turn the reader off to conserve power.

Charge the Chipper 2X BT card reader

You can charge the Chipper 2X BT card reader by using the USB cable that's supplied with it. To charge the reader, plug the small end of the USB connector into the card reader, and then plug the large end into a phone charger or computer. Best practice is to use a 5V / 1A (5W) charger.

The Chipper 2X BT card reader takes 3-4 hours to charge fully. After the reader's fully charged, its battery should last for a week of selling.

When the Chipper 2X BT has a low battery charge, the status light turns red.

Pair and connect the Chipper 2X BT card reader to your POS device

To use the card reader with Shopify POS, you need to pair the reader with your device through Shopify POS settings. You can connect the Chipper 2X BT in the following ways:

  • With Bluetooth to an iPad, iPhone, or Android device.
  • With a micro-USB cable to an Android device.

If you connect your reader to Bluetooth, then the reader automatically connects to the device whenever both are turned on and in range.

If you connect your reader with a micro-USB cable, then you only need to manually set it up within Shopify POS one time. After you set it up the first time, then the reader connects to Shopify POS automatically when you connect the micro-USB cable.

Steps:

Bluetooth
  1. To turn on the card reader, press and release the power button.
  2. In Shopify POS, tap > Connectivity > Set up Hardware.
  3. Tap Card reader.
  4. On the Select Reader page, tap Chipper 2X BT.
  5. On the Select your connection type page, tap Bluetooth.
  6. Press and release the power button on the reader. The LED status light indicator flashes blue when the card reader is ready for pairing.
  7. When the card reader displays beneath Available card readers, tap Connect beside the name of the card reader.
Micro-USB

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. To turn on the card reader, press and release the power button.
  2. In Shopify POS, tap > Connectivity > Set up Hardware.
  3. Tap Card reader.
  4. On the Select Reader page, tap Chipper 2X BT.
  5. On the Select your connection type page, tap USB.
  6. Connect the micro-USB 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:
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
  8. Tap Connect > Done.

Switching 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 micro-USB 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 your Shopify POS app by tapping > Connectivity.

Unpair the Chipper 2X BT card reader from your POS device

You can only use the Chipper 2X BT card reader with one device at a time. If you want to use the card reader with another device, then you need to first unpair the reader from its current device.

Steps:

  1. From Shopify POS, tap , and then tap Settings.
  2. Tap Manage connected hardware.
  3. Tap the name of your connected card reader.
  4. Tap Forget card reader.

If your Chipper 2X BT 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.

Accept a tap payment with the Chipper 2X BT card reader

You can use the Chipper 2X BT card reader to accept contactless tap payments.

For some card types, contactless payments might be limited to purchases under a specified amount. To make purchases for larger amounts, a customer can insert the card instead.

Steps:

  1. From the Shopify POS, tap Checkout. If the Chipper 2X BT card reader is connected, then Shopify POS displays Tap, insert, or swipe card at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap the contactless payment card or device on the face of the card reader and hold it in place until the four blue status light indicators on the front of the reader light up. When Shopify POS displays a Payment approved message, the transaction is complete.

Accept a chip payment with the Chipper 2X BT card reader

You can use the Chipper 2X BT card reader to accept chip card payments.

Steps:

  1. From Shopify POS, tap Checkout. If the Chipper 2X BT card reader is connected, then Shopify POS displays Tap, insert, or swipe card at the top of the screen.
  2. Allow the customer to insert their card. The card needs to be inserted with the chip facing down towards the front of the reader.
  3. If an account selection is required, then the customer must select whether they're using their checking or savings account. The customer might also be prompted to select which language to complete the transaction in.
  4. When Shopify POS displays a Payment approved message, the transaction is complete and the customer can remove their card.

Accept a swipe payment with the Chipper 2X BT card reader

You can use the Chipper 2X BT card reader to accept swipe card payments.

Steps:

  1. From the Shopify POS, tap Checkout. If the Chipper 2X BT card reader is connected, then Shopify POS displays Tap, insert, or swipe at the top of the screen.
  2. Allow the customer to swipe their card. The card needs to be swiped with the magnetic stripe facing towards the front of the reader.
  3. When Shopify POS displays a Payment approved message, the transaction is complete.

Troubleshoot the Chipper 2X BT card reader

If your card reader isn't working, then investigate the problem using the following steps:

  • Verify that you meet the requirements to use the Chipper 2X BT card reader.
  • Verify that you have an internet connection. Shopify POS needs to connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or your device's cellular data to process payments. If you can't connect to the internet, then you need to use a different payment type during the time you're offline.
  • In the Shopify POS hardware settings, make sure that the card reader is listed as a connected device. If the card reader isn't connected, then pair the card reader with your device.
  • Check your firewall settings.
  • If the reader requires a software update, and the reader doesn't have at least 50% of its battery charged, then the reader won't connect to Shopify POS. Connect the reader's charger and allow it to charge to at least 50% of its battery before reconnecting the reader to Shopify POS.
  • Make sure that your device has location services turned on and that the Shopify POS app has the necessary permissions to access your device's location.
  • Make sure Shopify Payments test mode is turned off.
  • If you connect your reader using Bluetooth, then make sure that your device has Bluetooth activated and that Shopify POS has the necessary permissions to access the device's Bluetooth.
  • If you use a micro-USB connection, then unplug the reader and re-plug it in.
  • If you use a Retail Stand, then try undocking the tablet and redocking the tablet.
  • If you use a micro-USB cable, then try connecting the reader using Bluetooth. If you have an Andorid tablet and you're connecting the reader using Bluetooth, then try connecting the reader using a micro-USB cable.

If your card reader isn't working after you've completed these troubleshooting steps, then send a report to Shopify Support by tapping the symbol > Support > Report a bug. Support will contact you based on your report.

Troubleshoot a card reader update

If Shopify POS is updating the card reader and the update freezes, then follow these troubleshooting steps.

Steps:

  1. Make sure the reader is plugged into a power source and its battery is charged to at least 50% of its capacity.
  2. Make sure you're using the latest version of Shopify POS.
  3. Close and reopen the Shopify POS app on your device.
  4. From Shopify POS, unpair the card reader, and then pair the card reader to Shopify POS again.
  5. Restart the card reader update.

If your card reader isn't working after you've completed these troubleshooting steps, then send a report to Shopify Support by tapping the symbol > Support > Report a bug. Support will contact you based on your report.

Troubleshoot payment acceptance

If your card reader seems to be working, but isn't processing payments, then investigate the problem using the following steps:

  1. Make sure that you're inserting the card correctly.
  2. Make sure that the device has location services turned on and that the Shopify POS app has the necessary permissions to access the device's location.
  3. The Chipper 2X BT card reader can't process card transactions when Shopify Payments is in test mode. You must deactivate test mode to complete a transaction with a credit card. Learn more about processing test transactions with Shopify POS.
  4. Try a reset of the card reader. After locating the pinhole next to the charging port on the bottom of the reader, insert a thin pointed object such as the end of a paper clip into the hole. Press down for five seconds to reset the reader. Wait for the card reader's status light to indicate that the reader is connected before using it for another payment.

Further troubleshooting tips before sending a report to Shopify Support

If your card reader isn't working, then make sure you review these steps before sending a report to Shopify Support:

  • Never blow into the chip slot, as the saliva particles can corrode the chip contacts.
  • Don't use an adhesive, such as a sticky note or tape, as this can leave residue that can collect debris.
  • Use a can of compressed air to dislodge any debris inside the chip slot.
  • Use isopropyl alcohol and thin cotton swabs to gently clean the contacts in the chip slot.

If your card reader isn't working after you have completed these troubleshooting steps, then send a report to Shopify Support by tapping the symbol > Support > Report a bug. Support will contact you based on your report.

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