Shopify POS (Point of Sale)

Shopify POS enables merchants to take payments in real stores. Find out how it works.

Contents

What is Shopify POS?

How do I use POS on Shopify?

Does POS work on all Shopify plans?

Does Shopify POS work offline?

What payments does POS accept (debit cards, cash etc)?

How much does Shopify POS cost?

Can you use Shopify POS on a computer?

What external hardware can you use with Shopify POS?

Can I use a Square reader with Shopify POS?

Is the Shopify card reader free?

What do I need for Shopify POS as well as the app?

How do I make products only available on POS?

Can I sell different products in my Shopify store and in my real store?

If I use Shopify POS how do I get paid?


What is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS (Point of Sale) is an application available on Apple and Android devices that allows merchants to take payments in real stores, not just online.

Using your mobile device you can take payments, swipe credit or debit cards, create receipts, and process orders.


How do I use POS on Shopify?

You’ll need hardware in order to accept payments (cash, card or both). What you’ll need will depend on the size and complexity of your business. As a starting point, you’ll need an iPad and the app. You may also need a card reader, receipt printer, a barcode scanner and a cash drawer.


Does POS work on all Shopify plans?

All plans include the facility to use Shopify POS Lite. This allows you to accept in-person payments at pop-ups, markets and fairs.

Bricks and mortar shops need to upgrade to Shopify POS Pro which gives access to store management tools and omnichannel features. This is free until October 31st 2020, then it will cost $89 USD per month.


Does Shopify POS work offline?

Shopify POS needs to be connected to the internet to sync with your Shopify store admin, take card payments and send emails with receipts. You can connect to the internet with wi-fi or through data on your mobile device plan.

If your connection is lost after you’ve logged in and imported your store’s products, you can continue using the app so long as you don’t log out (this does not apply to Android users - you need the internet to use POS on Android).

Once you reconnect to the internet, your POS should automatically sync with your Shopify admin.

If the internet connection goes down, or you’re running a store from a location without internet access, you can still process some types of transactions (cash and custom payment methods). 


What payments does POS accept (debit cards, cash etc)?

Cash: Shopify POS can accept cash payments.

Card: POS can accept payment by card with a swipe card reader. Customers will need to authorise payment by either entering their PIN or using their signature.

Contactless: Tap, Chip and Swipe card readers also allow you to accept contactless payments via Shopify POS. This can be in the form of cards, or through devices that have Apple Pay or Android Pay.

Manual card payment: If you don’t have the required equipment or there is a technical issue, don’t worry - you’re able to take payment manually from a credit card as well.

Gift card: these can also be accepted via Shopify POS. You’ll need to scan the barcode on the card with either a barcode scanner or the camera on your iPad.

Custom Payment: you can create custom methods for payments through cheques, for example.


How much does Shopify POS cost?

Shopify POS Lite is included in all plans. This allows you to accept in-person payments at pop-ups, markets and fairs.

Shopify POS Pro costs $89 USD per month, per location. This gives access to store management tools and omnichannel features. It was free until October 31st 2020.


Can you use Shopify POS on a computer?

Desktop PC POS software is available in the Shopify App Store. It works on Windows and MacOS platforms.


What external hardware can you use with Shopify POS?

You can buy hardware from the Shopify Hardware Store. There are stores for Canada, the US, the UK, and Ireland. If you’re in the US or Canada, you can buy the retail custom kit which bundles together equipment to create a discounted bundle.


Can I use a Square reader with Shopify POS?

Shopify POS doesn’t integrate with the Square card reader. There is a list of compatible hardware if you decide not to use Shopify’s own.


Is the Shopify card reader free?

The Shopify card reader is not free. You have to buy the hardware either from Shopify, or from another seller who is selling compatible equipment. If you check out this hardware page it gives an overview of how much the equipment costs in different territories and where you can buy it from.


What do I need for Shopify POS as well as the app?

As well as the app, you’ll need:

iPad, iPhone or Android phone

Shopify store

A product to sell

As well as the Shopify POS app, you’ll need hardware in order to accept payments (cash, card or both). What you’ll need will depend on the size and complexity of your business. As a starting point, you’ll need the items above. You may also need a card reader, receipt printer, a barcode scanner and a cash drawer.


How do I make products only available on POS?

You can do this individually or in bulk.

For a single product, select it and edit the Product Availability so that only Point of Sale is checked. Click Done and Save.

In bulk, select All Products and check the boxes of the products you want to edit. Click Actions then Make Products Available. You can now check the boxes to change the sales channels where the products are available.


Can I sell different products in my Shopify store and in my real store?

Yes you can: when adding products in the admin panel, you can decide whether you make them available in store, online, or both.


If I use Shopify POS how do I get paid?

The money is transferred to your merchant account. How long this takes depends on your Pay Period which differs depending on the territory you’re in.


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