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Hardware & Devices

Pairing New Terminals

Connecting iPads, tablets, or handhelds to your system.

Last updated 2025-12-18
5 min read

Device Pairing Overview

For security purposes, every new device must be explicitly authorized before it can access your POS or KDS systems. We support four primary terminal types: POS for standard ordering, KDS for kitchen displays, BAR for dedicated beverage service, and TABLET for handheld tableside ordering.

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Pairing Process

To pair a new device, start by heading to Admin > Terminals on your primary management device and select "Add Terminal". Give the terminal a descriptive name, select its type, and assign it to a location if you manage multiple venues. Once you click "Generate Pairing Code", a unique 6-digit code will appear. This code is valid for 15 minutes and should be kept visible for the next step.

On the new physical device, open Safari or Chrome and navigate to the dedicated pairing page at `/pairing`. Enter the 6-digit code and tap "Activate Terminal". If the code is valid, the device will be paired successfully and automatically redirected to the appropriate ordering or display screen. You'll also notice a unique Device ID at the bottom of the pairing screen; this fingerprint is stored in the browser's persistent storage to identify the physical hardware moving forward.

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iOS PWA Setup

For the best experience on iPads and iPhones, we recommend adding the app to your home screen. After pairing, navigate to your terminal's main screen, tap the Share button, and select "Add to Home Screen". This "PWA" mode provides a full-screen experience without browser toolbars, allows for faster launching, and ensures your pairing remains persistent. It also enables automatic redirects, meaning the app will remember whether the device is a POS or KDS and open the correct screen every time.

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Data Persistence

How Pairing Information is Stored

To ensure maximum reliability, your pairing data is stored in both the browser's local storage and as a backup cookie. This allows the connection to survive device restarts and browser updates without needing to re-pair. However, if you manually clear your browsing data or uninstall the app from your home screen, this information will be lost. In such cases, you can simply generate a new pairing code from the Admin panel to reconnect the device.

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Managing Terminals

Viewing and Managing Terminals

You can monitor all your active devices from the Admin > Terminals page. This dashboard shows you the name and type of each terminal, its current pairing status, and the last time it was seen by our servers.

If a device is lost, stolen, or no longer needed, you can easily unpair it from this list to immediately revoke its access. If an existing device loses its pairing data—for example, if the browser cache is cleared—you can find the device in your list (it will appear as "Unpaired") and simply generate a new code to re-authorize it.

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Troubleshooting and Security

If you encounter an "Invalid or expired code" error, it likely means the 15-minute security window has passed or the code was already used; simply generate a new one in the Admin panel. If your device redirects to the landing page instead of the POS, your pairing data may have been cleared or the wrong URL was bookmarked. Ensure the device is still paired in Admin, and if not, re-pair it and re-add the home screen icon.

For location-related issues, such as a device showing an "Unknown" location, verify that the terminal is correctly assigned to a venue in the Admin settings. On iOS, if you find you are not staying logged in, ensure you are not swiping the PWA closed—iOS preserves session state best when the app is simply minimized.

Security Notes

Our security model ensures that pairing codes are single-use and time-bound. Any unpaired terminal is completely blocked from accessing your data, and all pairing events are logged with unique device fingerprints to help you identify and manage your hardware fleet securely.