Offline Card Payments
Keep taking card payments with a Stripe card reader when the kiosk loses its internet connection.
Take card payments with a Stripe Bluetooth reader (WisePad 3) or smart reader (T600, S700, S710, WisePOS E) even when the kiosk has no internet. Payments are stored on the device or the smart reader and confirmed automatically when the device is back online.
How offline payments work
When the device has no internet, a connected card reader keeps taking card payments. A Bluetooth reader stores them on the device, and a smart reader stores them on the reader itself. When the device is back online, the stored payments are sent to Stripe and the orders are marked paid automatically. There is no setting to switch on: offline payments work whenever a compatible reader is connected.
Supported readers
Bluetooth readers such as the WisePad 3, and the smart readers T600, S700, S710 and BBPOS WisePOS E.
Supported apps
The iPhone / iPad and Android apps. The Windows app and web browsers take card reader payments online only, because Stripe does not support offline mode there.
Smart reader network
The device and the smart reader must stay on the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network, and that local network must keep working when the internet drops. Offline mode is for internet outages, not for having no network. You cannot switch networks while offline.
Get ready before going offline
- 1
Set up Stripe Terminal
Connect Stripe and save your Stripe location ID. See Payment Timing & Stripe Terminal.
- 2
Pair the reader
On the event page, press the Card reader button. For a Bluetooth reader, press Pair WisePad 3, Scan and Connect. For a smart reader, press Use on this device next to it in Registered readers so it is connected through the app. If you chose the smart reader earlier, press Stop and then Use on this device again. The reader is remembered on this device. A green dot on the Card reader button means it is connected.
- 3
Connect while online
In Get ready for offline, press Connect reader before going offline. You will see "Ready for offline payments".
A WisePad 3 can reconnect without internet only if it was connected online at the same location in the last 30 days. A smart reader can reconnect without internet only if it was connected from this device in the last 24 hours, on the same network. The status shows the reader, whether offline payments are available and how many payments are waiting to sync.
What guests see
Guests pay on the reader as usual. A note says No internet connection. Your payment will be processed when the device is back online., and after paying they see Payment accepted. It will be confirmed when the device is back online. The QR code payment option is hidden while offline.
When the device is back online
When the device syncs, the reader reconnects and sends the stored payments to Stripe. Each payment is checked against its order, captured and the order is marked paid. The Payment Received emails are then sent.
Payment pending sync
An amber badge on the order: the payment is stored on the device or the smart reader and not yet confirmed.
Needs review
A red badge when the card was declined or did not match the order. You also get an email. Use the Needs review filter on the Orders page.
With a smart reader, the stored payments are sent from the reader itself. Keep the smart reader switched on and connected to the app until no payments are waiting to sync.
Handle payments that need review
Open the order to see This order's card payment needs review, with the card and order total. Choose Accept payment & mark paid, Refund or Release, or Take new card payment. The Payments page also lists card payments that need review and Offline card payments without an order from the last 90 days, which you can refund.
An offline card is not checked with the bank at the time of payment, so a card declined later is your risk. Hand over high-value items only once the payment is confirmed.