Card readers
Buy, add and remove card readers, how readers ask for tips, and how to use a Bluetooth reader in the Lilo app.
Card readers let clients pay by card in person. Smart readers, like the WisePOS E or S700, each belong to one of your locations. In the Lilo app, you can also use Stripe's M2 Bluetooth reader.
Owners and admins
You add and remove smart readers in Settings → Payments. You need card payments active first. See Connect payments and get paid out.
Buy a reader
- Go to Settings → Payments.
- In Terminal Readers, select Purchase Reader.
- Stripe's reader shop opens in the Purchase Readers section. Choose your readers and order them there.
Add a reader
Turn the reader on and find its registration code. It's three words, like apple-pear-grape.
- Go to Settings → Payments.
- In Terminal Readers, select Add Reader.
- In the Add Terminal Reader box, stay on Physical reader.
- Choose the Location where you'll use the reader.
- Enter the Registration code.
- Add a Label (optional), like Front desk reader. If you leave it blank, Lilo names the reader after its location.
- Select Register reader. You'll see Reader registered.
Lilo sets every smart reader up to ask your clients for a tip (see Tips on smart readers).
Remove a reader
- Go to Settings → Payments.
- In Terminal Readers, choose the reader's Location.
- Select the trash can next to the reader.
- Select Delete. You'll see Reader deleted.
This also removes the reader from your Stripe account. To use it again, follow Add a reader.
Tips on smart readers
Smart readers ask your client for a tip before they pay:
- Above a small amount, the reader suggests 15%, 20% or 25% of the services. Products don't count.
- Below that amount, it suggests a few small fixed amounts instead.
Lilo skips the tip question when you've already added a tip at checkout. It also skips it when there's nothing to tip on, like a sale of only products. You can't change these options. Tips covers every way clients tip.
Owners and admins
To see the options, select Show next to Tipping in Settings → Payments.
Use a Bluetooth reader in the app
The Lilo app also works with Stripe's M2 Bluetooth reader. You don't add it in Settings.
- Turn on the M2 and keep it near your phone.
- In the app, open checkout for the appointment and tap Charge at the bottom. If the button names your client's saved card, tap Use a different payment method instead.
- Tap Bluetooth reader.
- On Tip, choose your client's tip or No tip, then tap Continue. The M2 has no screen for tips, so you add the tip in the app.
- The app connects to the reader. Your client pays on it.
How it works
- Each reader belongs to one location. At checkout, Terminal shows up when the appointment's location has a reader, and only that location's readers are listed.
- Online and Offline show what Lilo last heard from the reader. Lilo checks every reader once a day, so the status can be out of date.
- Readers only work while your card payments are active.
- Only the owner and admins can buy, add or remove readers, because only they can open Settings → Payments. Anyone who takes payments can use a reader at checkout.
- You add and remove readers on the web. In the Lilo app, smart readers show up at checkout under Terminal. They ask for the tip themselves.
Owners and admins
- Terminal Readers shows one location's readers at a time. Each reader shows its label, its type and Online or Offline.
- If your card payments are put on hold, Terminal Readers is hidden.
Common questions
Why does my reader say Offline?
Lilo checks readers once a day, so the status can be old. If checkout says The reader is offline, check that the reader is on and connected to the internet, then try again.
Can I change the tip percentages?
No. Every smart reader suggests 15%, 20% or 25%, or small fixed amounts on small payments.
Do I add a Bluetooth reader in Settings?
No. In the Lilo app, tap Bluetooth reader at checkout. The app connects to the M2 near your phone.
Owners and admins
Why can't I add a reader?
The Add Terminal Reader box says what went wrong. Usually it's one of these:
- Your card payments aren't active yet. Check Settings → Payments.
- The registration code doesn't match the reader. Check the code on the reader and try again.
- The location's address isn't complete. Finish it in Settings → Locations, then try again. See Locations.
Can I rename a reader or move it to another location?
No. Remove it, then add it again with the new label or location.
What's the Simulated tab in Add Reader?
It's for testing without a real reader. Simulated readers only work in test mode, so you can ignore it.
What if the reader shop says ordering isn't available?
Lilo can't take reader orders right now. Use Contact support in your account menu and ask about ordering readers. See Get help from Lilo.
Why won't the reader shop load?
An ad blocker or privacy extension can block it. If you see The reader shop was blocked, allow connect-js.stripe.com or pause the blocker, then select Reload Page.
Connect payments and get paid out
Set up card payments with Stripe, check your payments status, finish setup when Stripe asks for more, and see your payouts.
Tap to Pay
Take contactless cards on your iPhone with no reader. Turn on Tap to Pay for your business, activate it on each iPhone and take a payment.