Using Shopify POS offline

Shopify POS needs an internet connection to sync with your Shopify admin, send receipts by email, and capture card payments. The internet connection can be made using a Wi-Fi network or cellular data.

If you lose your internet connection or you're going to be selling from a pop-up location without internet access, then you can process manual and cash transactions. If you don't have an internet connection, then you might be able to process offline payments, but your POS, POS Terminal Reader (formerly 'POS Go'), and POS Terminal won't capture payments until they reconnect to the internet.

This guide explains which features and hardware require an internet connection, and how to sync your Shopify POS and admin after being offline.

Functionality that requires an internet connection

The following Shopify POS functionality requires an internet connection.

Shopify POS functionality that required an internet connection.
FunctionDetails
Logging inThe 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 productsYou can't save a new product without an internet connection.
Syncing Shopify POS with your Shopify adminShopify POS can't sync orders and inventory with your Shopify admin while 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.
Processing card transactionsIf you don't have an internet connection, then you might be able to process offline credit, debit, or gift card transactions, 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 custom payment methods.
Shipping orders to customersYou can't complete a ship-to-customer order if you don't have an Internet connection.

Manually sync Shopify POS with your Shopify admin

When you reconnect to the internet after being offline, your POS and Shopify admin should sync automatically. If your POS and Shopify admin don't sync, then you can force your POS and admin to sync.

Steps:

  1. From the Shopify POS app, tap Orders.
  2. From the Orders screen, swipe the orders list down to refresh it. Your Shopify admin and POS syncs their orders and inventory.

If the Shopify POS app still doesn't sync with your Shopify admin, or if the app freezes, then you have to close the app fully and re-open it:

  1. Press your device's home button twice to display the applications that are running.
  2. Find the Shopify POS window and swipe it upwards to close the app.
  3. Press your device's home button again.
  4. From the home screen of your device, tap Shopify POS to re-open the app.

Use POS hardware offline

Some pieces of POS hardware require an internet connection to work with the Shopify POS, but other pieces of hardware work as normal offline.

Shopify POS hardware functionality that requires an internet connection.
HardwareRequires an internet connection?Details
Card readerYesMost card readers require an internet connection to process a payment. You might be able to process offline payments, but won't be able to capture the payment until you reconnect to the internet. 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 printerNo - limitedThe 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 drawerNoThe 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 via a cable, and the receipt printer needs to be connected to the POS device via Bluetooth or LAN.
Receipt printerNoDepending on the type of receipt printer you have, you need either a Bluetooth or a LAN connection.
Barcode scannerNoThe barcode scanner needs to be connected to Shopify POS via Bluetooth.
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