iPad, iPhone and Android
Free POS app for iPad, iPhone and Android
The free Square Point of Sale app runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17.1 or later, and on Android phones and tablets with Android 7.0 or later. It's free to download, and on Square Free there's no monthly fee. You pay only when a customer pays by card.
Which device to use, what the free app actually does, and how to go from download to first sale in an afternoon.
By Jason at POSUSALast updated
Will it run on what I have?
Which devices does the free POS app run on?
Square Point of Sale runs on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and Android tablets. The catch is the operating system version: older devices that can't update may still open the app but won't get updates. Here's what Square's own docs list.
| Device | Needs | Tap to Pay | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iOS 17.1 or later | Yes, on iPhone XS or newer with the latest iOS | Works with Square Reader over Bluetooth |
| iPad | iPadOS 17.1 or later | No | Fits Square Stand for a counter setup. Restaurant table modes run here |
| Android phone | Android 7.0 or later | Yes, on most phones with NFC and Android 9 or later | Turn NFC on in your phone's settings first |
| Android tablet | Android 7.0 or later | Check your model on Square's compatibility page | Full service, quick service and bar modes aren't available |
Square Terminal, Handheld and Register run Square's software out of the box, so there's nothing to download on those.
What you get for free
What does a free POS app actually do?
More than ring up sales. A decent free POS app is a cash register, a card terminal, a product list and a sales report in one, and it syncs to your account so a second device sees the same numbers.
- Ring up items or key in a custom amount
- Take tap, chip and swipe cards, and record cash
- Text or email receipts
- Keep an item list with prices, taxes and discounts
- Issue refunds
- See what sold today, this week and this month
Where free apps differ is the edges: how much inventory they track, whether bookings or invoices are included, and which features sit behind a paid plan. Our free POS features page goes deeper.
On Square Free
What the free Square app adds
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android, no reader needed
- Simple stock counts and low-stock alerts
- Invoices and online booking
- A free online store using the same items
- Offline card payments on supported Square hardware
- Chat and email support
Full inventory tracking, loyalty and staff scheduling sit on paid plans. Costs are on our pricing page.
Download to first sale
How do you download and set up a free POS app?
Most people are ringing up sales the same day. Do the first two steps on the device you'll sell on.
- 1
Download Square Point of Sale
On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, search Square Point of Sale and tap Get. On Android, open Google Play, search the same name and tap Install.
- 2
Sign in or create a free account
Use your Square email and password, or create an account right in the app. Then follow the setup guide. If you skip part of it, it's under More, then Support, then Setup guide.
- 3
Turn on location services
Square needs your device's location on to take payments. It's in your phone's own settings, not inside the app.
- 4
Add your items
Tap More, then Items, then All items, then Create item. Got a long list? Do it from Square Dashboard on a computer instead, where you can import a spreadsheet.
- 5
Turn on Tap to Pay or pair a reader
On iPhone, go to More, Settings, Account, then Tap to Pay on iPhone and switch it on. On Android, turn NFC on in your phone's settings, then check Tap to Pay is enabled under More, then Settings. Using a reader instead? Turn Bluetooth on, then go to More, Settings, Hardware, Square Readers and tap Connect a Reader.
- 6
Ring up your first sale
Tap an item or key in an amount, tap Charge and have the customer tap, insert or swipe. The customer can get a receipt by text or email, and the sale shows up in your reports right away.
Want the longer version, with what to have ready before you start? Read how to set up a POS system.
iPhone, iPad or Android
Should you run your POS app on an iPhone, iPad or Android?
Whatever you already own, as long as it's recent enough to keep getting updates. Buying something new? Here's how we'd think about it.
iPhone or Android phone
Best when you move around. It fits a pocket, takes Tap to Pay, and pairs with a small reader for chip cards. See mobile POS for setups.
iPad
The classic counter setup. Big screen, easy for staff, and it drops into a stand next to a printer and cash drawer. The usual pick for a cafe or salon front desk.
Android tablet
A cheaper big screen, and it works for most counters. Check the minimum Android version first, and know that some restaurant features may be iPad only.
Still comparing apps? Our best free POS systems roundup lists which ones run on which devices. Card fees are on the pricing page.
Device requirements and setup steps were checked against Square's support docs, its App Store listing and its device compatibility page. Square raises the minimum iOS and Android versions over time, so check Square Support before buying a device just for it.
Questions
Free POS app questions
Is there a free POS app for iPad?
Yes. Several free POS apps run on iPad, and an iPad is the most common way to build a cheap counter setup. Our best free POS systems roundup lists which ones run on iPad, iPhone, Android or a web browser.
Is there a free POS app for Android?
Yes. Most of the big free POS apps have an Android version for phones and tablets. Check the app's minimum Android version before you buy a tablet for it, and check that the phone has NFC if you want to take tap payments without a reader.
Can a free POS app replace a cash register?
For most small shops, yes. A free POS app records cash and card sales, prints or texts receipts and keeps a running total for the day. Add a cash drawer and a receipt printer if you take a lot of cash. Our POS hardware guide covers what you can skip.
Which card readers work with a free POS app?
Usually only the one made or sold by the same company. Readers are tied to the processor, so you can't pair one brand's reader with another brand's app. Pick the app first, then buy its reader if you need one.
Is the Square Point of Sale app free?
Yes. It's free to download from the App Store and Google Play, and Square Free has no monthly software fee and no long-term contract. You pay a processing fee when a customer pays by card. Current rates are on our pricing page.
Why can't I find Tap to Pay on my iPad?
Tap to Pay on iPhone only works on an iPhone XS or newer, not on an iPad. On an iPad, take cards with a Square Reader or put the iPad in a Square Stand. Also note that Tap to Pay on iPhone isn't available if you signed in to the Square Point of Sale app with a device code.
More answers on the FAQ page and in our free POS guides, or call (888) 243-3831.
Ready to download a free POS app?
Square Free has no monthly software fee and no long-term contract. You pay a processing fee when a customer pays by card, and nothing on cash. Current numbers are on our pricing page.
No monthly fee on the free plan. No long-term contract. Cancel anytime. See current pricing.
Free POS System is operated by POSUSA, an authorized Square reseller. POSUSA may earn compensation when you sign up through our link. It doesn't cost you a cent more. Read our disclosure.