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.

Note

The Tap & Chip Card Reader is exclusively available in the United States. For businesses located outside of the United States, review the supported card readers for Shopify POS by region help article to find a card reader that's compatible and available for your specific region.

Pair and connect the Tap & Chip 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. You can connect the Tap and Chip Reader in the following ways:

• using Bluetooth with an iPad, iPhone, or Android device
• using a USB-C cable with 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 USB-C 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 USB-C cable.

Steps for Bluetooth connection:

Bluetooth

1. Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
2. In Shopify POS, tap ☰ > Connectivity > Set up Hardware.
3. Tap Card reader.
4. On the Select Reader 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.

Steps for USB-C connection:

1. Press and release the power button to turn on the reader.
2. In Shopify POS, tap ☰ > Connectivity > Set up Hardware.
3. Tap Card reader.
4. On the Select Reader 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:
   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 Tap & Chip Card Reader from your POS device

You can use the 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 ☰, 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 Tap and Chip Reader is connected using Bluetooth, then go to your device's Bluetooth settings and forget the reader from the list of previously connected devices.