# How to enable on-reader tipping

> Published: 2026-07-03
> Updated: 2026-07-25
> Category: Pay
> Canonical: https://finalpos.com/help/enable-on-reader-tipping

On-reader tipping shows tip options right on your card reader's screen. To enable it, open Pay → Setup in the Merchant Hub and toggle your Tips setting off and back on, then wait up to 10 minutes. Then, on the Station, disconnect the terminal, close the session, unbind the Station, log back in, start a session, and reconnect the terminal.

## Key takeaways

- On-reader tipping shows tip options on the card reader's screen, using your Final Pay tip settings.
- Enable it by toggling Tips off and on under Pay → Setup, then waiting up to 10 minutes.
- After waiting, disconnect the terminal, close the session, unbind the Station, then log back in, start a session, and reconnect the terminal.
- It works with supported cloud and Bluetooth card readers.
- Tap to Pay and app-on-device checkouts collect tips on the point-of-sale screen instead.

## What on-reader tipping is

On-reader tipping lets customers choose a tip directly on the **card reader's screen** when they pay, instead of on the point-of-sale screen. It uses the tip options you set for Final Pay, and it works with supported **cloud and Bluetooth card readers**.

If you've just turned tips on — or on-reader tipping isn't showing yet — the steps below refresh the setting and get your reader to pick it up.

## Before you start

- Set your tip options in the Merchant Hub under **Pay → Setup** (see [configure Tips](/help/configure-tips)).
- Have a supported cloud or Bluetooth reader [connected to your Station](/help/connect-a-terminal).

## Step 1: Refresh your Tips setting in the Merchant Hub

In the Merchant Hub, go to **Pay → Setup** and find **Tips**:

- If tips are **already enabled**, turn them **off**, then **on** again.
- If tips are **disabled**, turn them **on**, then **off**, then **on** again.

Either way you end with tips enabled. This re-sends your tip configuration to your readers so they can show the tip screen.

## Step 2: Wait up to 10 minutes

Give the change up to **10 minutes** to reach your terminals before continuing.

## Step 3: Reconnect on the Station

Your reader loads the tip configuration when it connects, so refresh the connection:

1. **Disconnect** the terminal from the Station.
2. **Close** your session.
3. **Unbind** the Station.
4. **Log back in**, start a session, and **reconnect** the terminal.

Take a test payment to confirm the tip screen now appears on the reader.

## Which readers support on-reader tipping

On-reader tipping works with supported **cloud and Bluetooth card readers**. Tap to Pay and app-on-device checkouts collect tips on the **point-of-sale screen** instead, so tipping is still available there.

## If the tip screen doesn't appear

- Confirm your tip options are enabled under **Pay → Setup**.
- Repeat Step 1, wait the full 10 minutes, then reconnect the terminal.
- Make sure you're using a supported cloud or Bluetooth reader.

## FAQ

**Q: Where do I set my tip amounts?**
A: In the Merchant Hub, go to Pay → Setup and open Tips to set your tip options.

**Q: Why do I toggle tips off and on?**
A: Toggling re-sends your current tip configuration to your readers so they pick up on-reader tipping.

**Q: Why disconnect and reconnect the terminal?**
A: Readers load the tip configuration when they connect, so reconnecting after the change makes the tip screen appear.

**Q: Does this work with Tap to Pay?**
A: Tap to Pay and app-on-device checkouts collect tips on the point-of-sale screen. On-reader tipping is for supported cloud and Bluetooth readers.

**Q: How long does it take?**
A: Allow up to 10 minutes after toggling tips before you reconnect the terminal.