How to Use Apple Pay on Square: A Deep Dive for Savvy Business Owners
So, you’re looking to tap into the power of Apple Pay using your Square ecosystem? Excellent choice. It’s a move that can drastically improve customer experience and streamline your transactions. Let’s cut to the chase and get you set up.
How to Use Apple Pay on Square:
The short answer: You need a compatible Square Reader and a working Apple Pay setup on your customer’s device. The longer, more useful answer involves understanding a few key steps:
Ensure you have a Compatible Square Reader: Not all Square Readers are created equal. To accept Apple Pay (and other contactless payments), you need either the Square Reader for Contactless and Chip, the Square Stand, the Square Terminal, or the Square Register. The original Square Reader that plugs into a headphone jack will not work with Apple Pay.
Update your Square App: Make sure your Square Point of Sale (POS) app is updated to the latest version. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues.
Initiate a Transaction: Start a transaction within the Square POS app as you normally would, adding items to the cart and calculating the total.
Select “Contactless” as Payment Method: On the payment screen, you’ll typically see options like “Card,” “Cash,” and “Contactless.” Choose “Contactless”. This activates the reader for contactless payments like Apple Pay.
Customer Presents Apple Pay: The customer holds their iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader. Apple Pay will automatically activate on their device, usually prompting them to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or their passcode.
Transaction Completes: Once authenticated, the payment information is securely transmitted to the Square Reader. You’ll see a confirmation message on both the Square Reader and the customer’s device, indicating a successful transaction. The Square POS app will also display a completion message.
Issue Receipt (Optional): Offer the customer a digital or printed receipt. Square provides options for sending receipts via email or text message.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Apple Pay and Square
Let’s dive into some common questions to help you navigate using Apple Pay with Square effectively.
1. What Square Reader do I need to accept Apple Pay?
You need either the Square Reader for Contactless and Chip, Square Stand, Square Terminal, or Square Register. These devices are equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which is essential for processing contactless payments like Apple Pay. The old headphone jack reader won’t cut it.
2. How do I know if my Square Reader is compatible with Apple Pay?
Look for the contactless payment symbol (a wave-like icon) on the reader. If you see this symbol, it’s compatible. Also, you can check your Square account dashboard online or within the Square app to confirm your reader’s capabilities. The product description for the reader will also explicitly state its compatibility with contactless payments.
3. Is there a fee to accept Apple Pay with Square?
Square’s standard processing fees apply to Apple Pay transactions, just as they do to traditional card payments. There are no additional fees specifically for accepting Apple Pay. Check Square’s website or your account settings for the most up-to-date fee structure. Typically, it’s a percentage plus a small per-transaction fee.
4. My customer’s Apple Pay isn’t working. What should I do?
Several factors could be at play. First, ensure the customer has Apple Pay properly set up on their device. They should check their Wallet app to confirm their card is added and active. Also, ensure their device’s software is up-to-date.
Second, make sure your Square Reader is properly connected and functioning. Try restarting the Square app and the reader.
Third, sometimes interference can occur. Ask the customer to remove any cases that might block the NFC signal.
If the problem persists, try processing the payment using a physical card if the customer has one, or troubleshoot further with Apple’s or Square’s support teams.
5. How secure is accepting Apple Pay with Square?
Accepting Apple Pay is highly secure. Apple Pay uses tokenization, which replaces the customer’s actual card number with a unique, encrypted digital token. This token is used for the transaction, protecting the customer’s sensitive financial information.
Square also employs robust security measures to protect its systems and data, including encryption and fraud detection. In short, it’s generally more secure than swiping a physical card.
6. Can I accept Apple Pay for online sales with Square?
Yes, Square allows you to accept Apple Pay for online transactions. You can integrate Apple Pay into your Square Online Store or use Square’s APIs to add it to your own website or app. This allows customers to pay quickly and securely without having to enter their card details manually.
7. How do refunds work when a customer pays with Apple Pay?
Refunds for transactions made with Apple Pay are processed the same way as refunds for traditional card payments. You initiate the refund through your Square POS app or online dashboard. The refund will be credited back to the customer’s Apple Pay account, typically within a few business days.
8. Can I use Apple Pay to pay vendors using Square?
While you can’t directly use Apple Pay to send money to vendors through the Square POS system (it’s designed for receiving payments), you can use your Square Debit Card which can be added to Apple Pay. This allows you to use your Square balance to make purchases wherever Apple Pay is accepted, including paying vendors.
9. Does accepting Apple Pay help speed up transactions?
Absolutely. Contactless payments like Apple Pay are typically faster than traditional card payments, especially those requiring a chip insert. This is because the authentication process is quicker, and there’s no need to wait for the chip to be read. Faster transactions lead to shorter lines and happier customers.
10. What reporting features does Square offer for Apple Pay transactions?
Square provides detailed reporting on all your transactions, including those made with Apple Pay. You can view these reports in your Square online dashboard or within the Square app. You can filter reports by payment method to specifically track your Apple Pay sales. This helps you analyze trends and understand the popularity of contactless payments among your customers.
11. Is Apple Pay the only contactless payment Square accepts?
No, Square accepts other contactless payment methods besides Apple Pay, including Google Pay and contactless cards. The same NFC-enabled Square Readers that work with Apple Pay also work with these other payment methods.
12. What if I’m having trouble setting up Apple Pay on Square?
Square offers comprehensive support resources to help you troubleshoot any issues. You can visit the Square Support Center online, where you’ll find articles, videos, and FAQs. You can also contact Square’s customer support team directly via phone or email. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re stuck.
By understanding these steps and addressing these common questions, you’ll be well on your way to seamlessly accepting Apple Pay with Square, enhancing your customer experience, and growing your business. Now, go forth and conquer the world of contactless payments!
Leave a Reply