How to connect a terminal
To connect a terminal, open Station Settings on the Station device and go to Payment Terminals. Cloud terminals pair with a pairing code: select Add cloud terminal and enter the code. Bluetooth readers pair directly to the Station device, with Bluetooth and Location enabled. The method depends on your reader.
Two ways a terminal connects
How you connect a terminal depends on the reader:
Cloud terminals connect over the network using a pairing code.
Bluetooth readers pair directly to the Station device.
Both are set up from Station Settings on the Station device. To see which readers Final currently sells, and which method each one uses, visit finalpos.com/hardware.
Bluetooth is Native Stations only: Bluetooth terminal payments are available on Native Stations, not Virtual Stations.
Before you begin
A Station and access to Station Settings on its device. (Bluetooth readers require a Native Station.)
For a cloud terminal: the reader powered on and online via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular.
For a Bluetooth reader: the reader charged, powered on, and within range of the Station device.
Connect a cloud terminal (pairing code)
Power on the reader and connect it to the network (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular).
On the Station, open Station Home, then go to Station Settings and open Payment Terminals.
Select Add cloud terminal. On first setup, a pairing code is generated automatically.
Enter the code in the Pairing Code field, then select Add terminal. The terminal is now registered to that Station.
Need to generate the pairing code manually? If a code isn't generated automatically, create one from the reader's own settings:
Navigate to the reader's Settings page.
Ensure the device is connected to the network.
Enter the admin PIN.
Generate a pairing code for device registration.
Then enter that code in the Pairing Code field and select Add terminal.
Keep the reader online: A cloud terminal connects over the network, so it must be powered on and connected (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular) for the pairing code to register.
Connect a Bluetooth reader
Bluetooth readers connect on a Native Station:
Power on the reader and keep it nearby and charged. On the Station device, make sure Bluetooth and Location are turned on, as both are required to discover a Bluetooth reader.
On the Station, open Station Home, then go to Station Settings and open Payment Terminals.
Next to Bluetooth Terminals, hit Discover. The Station searches for nearby Bluetooth readers.
When your reader appears, click it to connect. Once connected, it's ready to take payments on that Station.
Native Stations only: Bluetooth terminal payments are available on Native Stations, not Virtual Stations. If you're on a Virtual Station, switch to a Native Station to use a Bluetooth reader.
Which method does my reader use?
It depends on the reader. Countertop and smart readers that connect over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular are cloud terminals and use a pairing code. Compact handheld readers that pair to a phone or tablet are Bluetooth readers. For the current lineup, and the method each reader uses, see finalpos.com/hardware.
After connecting
Once connected, the reader follows the checkout flow on its Station. Ring up a sale, then at checkout tap your flow's card (Final Pay) payment button, and the amount is sent to the reader for the customer to tap, insert, or swipe. Tips and cardholder signatures are configured once in Payment Setup and apply across your supported terminals.
Troubleshooting
Pairing code is rejected or won't register: confirm the reader is online, then generate a fresh pairing code and enter it again (codes can expire if left unused).
A Bluetooth reader won't appear when you hit Discover: confirm it's powered on, charged, and within range, and that you're on a Native Station, then hit Discover again. If it still doesn't show up under Station Settings, then Payment Terminals, close the Final POS app completely and reopen it.
Reader connects but won't take a payment: confirm it's the reader connected to the Station running checkout, and that the Station has an internet connection.
Step by step
- 1
Power on and prepare the reader
For cloud terminals, connect the reader to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular. For Bluetooth readers, ensure the reader is charged and within range of the Station device.
- 2
Open Station Settings on the Station
From Station Home, navigate to Station Settings and open Payment Terminals.
- 3
Choose your connection method
For cloud terminals, select Add cloud terminal. For Bluetooth readers, select Discover next to Bluetooth Terminals.
- 4
Obtain the pairing code (cloud terminals only)
A pairing code is generated automatically on first setup. If not, generate one manually from the reader's Settings page by entering the admin PIN.
- 5
Enter the pairing code and add the terminal
Type the code into the Pairing Code field and select Add terminal to register the cloud reader to that Station.
- 6
Select the Bluetooth reader when it appears
Once the Station discovers nearby Bluetooth readers, click yours to connect it. It is then ready to take payments.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I connect a terminal?
From Station Settings on the Station device: open Payment Terminals for both cloud terminals and Bluetooth readers.
My pairing code won't register. What do I do?
Confirm the reader is online (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular), then generate a fresh pairing code. Codes can expire if left unused.
How do I know whether my reader is cloud or Bluetooth?
It depends on the model. Readers that connect over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular are cloud terminals and use a pairing code, while compact handheld readers pair over Bluetooth. See finalpos.com/hardware for the current lineup.
Do I set up tips and signatures on each terminal?
No. Tips and cardholder signatures are configured once in Payment Setup and apply across your supported terminals.