In This Guide
- Prerequisites & Requirements
- Installing Shopify POS App
- Optional Hardware Setup
- Adding Consultant as Staff Member
- Configuring POS Permissions
- Testing & Verification
1. Prerequisites & Requirements
Before proceeding with the POS installation, ensure the following requirements are met to avoid any issues during setup.
- Active Shopify subscription — Any plan that supports Shopify POS (Basic, Shopify, Advanced, or Plus)
- Compatible device — iOS device (iPhone/iPad) or Android device for the POS app
- Store owner or admin access — Permission to add staff members and install apps
- Physical retail location — At least one location configured in your Shopify admin
-
Consultant email address —
zayed@zayedtalib.comfor staff invitation
POS Pro Subscription
If you require advanced features such as smart inventory management, staff permissions per location, or in-store analytics, consider upgrading to Shopify POS Pro ($89/month per location).
2. Installing Shopify POS App
The Shopify POS app connects your physical retail operations to your online store, enabling unified inventory and sales management.
Step 1: Access the Point of Sale Channel
Log into your Shopify admin panel and navigate to the sales channels section.
Shopify Admin → Sales Channels → Point of Sale
If Point of Sale is not yet added, click the + button next to Sales Channels and select "Point of Sale" from the available options.
Step 2: Configure Your Location
Ensure your retail location is properly configured with accurate address details.
Settings → Locations → Add location
Each location must have: name, physical address, phone number, and be set to "Fulfill online orders from this location" if applicable.
Step 3: Download the POS App
Install the official Shopify POS app on your device:
- iOS: Search "Shopify POS" in the App Store
- Android: Search "Shopify POS" in Google Play Store
Ensure you download the official app published by Shopify Inc., not third-party alternatives.
Step 4: Sign In and Select Store
Open the POS app and sign in using your Shopify account credentials. If you manage multiple stores, select the appropriate store from the list. You'll then be prompted to select which location this device will operate from.
3. Optional Hardware Setup
While Shopify POS functions on a mobile device alone, adding dedicated retail hardware enhances efficiency and provides a professional customer experience.
Receipt Printers
Receipt printers allow you to provide customers with physical proof of purchase. Shopify POS supports both Bluetooth and network-connected printers.
| Printer Model | Connection Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Star Micronics mC-Print3 | Bluetooth, USB, LAN | High-volume retail, multi-device setups |
| Star Micronics TSP143IV | USB, LAN, Bluetooth | Countertop retail with fast printing |
| Star Micronics SM-S230i | Bluetooth | Mobile selling, pop-ups, markets |
| Epson TM-m30II | Bluetooth, USB, LAN | Compact countertop, F&B environments |
Printer Setup Steps:
- Connect the printer to power and turn it on
- Enable Bluetooth on your iOS/Android device (for Bluetooth printers)
- In Shopify POS, go to Settings → Hardware → Connect hardware
- Select your printer from the discovered devices list
- Print a test receipt to verify connection
Barcode Scanners
Barcode scanners speed up checkout and reduce manual entry errors. They're essential for stores with large product catalogs or high transaction volumes.
| Scanner Model | Connection Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Socket Mobile S700 | Bluetooth | 1D barcodes, portable use, iOS optimized |
| Socket Mobile S740 | Bluetooth | 1D/2D barcodes, QR codes, versatile scanning |
| Zebra DS2208 | USB | High-volume retail, countertop fixed position |
| Honeywell Voyager 1602g | Bluetooth, USB | Durable scanning, warehouse to retail |
Camera Scanning Alternative
The Shopify POS app includes built-in camera scanning. While slower than dedicated scanners, it's a cost-effective option for low-volume stores or testing phases.
Cash Drawers
Cash drawers provide secure storage for cash payments and integrate with Shopify POS for automatic opening during cash transactions.
| Drawer Model | Connection Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Star Micronics CD3-1616 | Printer-driven (RJ12) | Standard retail, pairs with Star printers |
| APG Vasario Series | Printer-driven (RJ12) | Heavy-duty retail, high cash volume |
| MMF Val-u Line | Printer-driven (RJ12) | Budget-friendly, basic retail needs |
Cash Drawer Setup:
Cash drawers connect through receipt printers via the RJ12 cable port (not directly to Shopify POS). When a cash transaction is processed and a receipt prints, the drawer opens automatically.
- Connect the RJ12 cable from the cash drawer to the receipt printer's DK port
- Ensure the receipt printer is connected to Shopify POS
- Process a test cash transaction to verify automatic opening
Card Readers
Card readers enable you to accept credit card, debit card, and contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay). Shopify offers its own branded hardware with competitive transaction rates.
| Reader Model | Payment Types | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Tap & Chip Reader | Tap (NFC), Chip (EMV), Swipe | Most retail setups, portable use |
| Shopify POS Terminal | Tap, Chip, Swipe, PIN entry | Countertop retail, all-in-one display + reader |
| WisePOS E | Tap, Chip, Swipe, PIN entry | Customer-facing display, tipping prompts |
Regional Availability
Shopify hardware availability and supported payment methods vary by region. For Singapore and Southeast Asia, verify compatible hardware and payment gateways in Shopify's hardware store or contact Shopify support.
Recommended Hardware Bundles
Based on your business type, consider these recommended combinations:
☕ F&B / Quick Service
- Essential: iPad + Shopify Tap & Chip Reader + Star mC-Print3 + Cash Drawer
- Why: Fast receipt printing, automatic cash drawer opening, quick tap payments for high turnover
👕 Retail / Fashion
- Essential: iPad + Shopify POS Terminal + Barcode Scanner + Receipt Printer
- Why: Barcode scanning for inventory accuracy, customer-facing terminal for seamless checkout
🎪 Pop-ups / Markets
- Essential: iPhone/iPad + Shopify Tap & Chip Reader + Star SM-S230i (portable printer)
- Why: Fully mobile setup, Bluetooth connectivity, no need for fixed infrastructure
4. Adding Consultant as Staff Member
To allow testing and configuration of your POS system, I require staff access with appropriate permissions. Follow these steps to send the invitation.
Step 1: Navigate to Staff Management
Access the staff and permissions area from your Shopify admin.
Settings → Users and permissions → Staff
Step 2: Add New Staff Member
Click the "Add staff" button in the upper right corner of the staff list.
Enter the following details:
First name: Zayed
Last name: Talib
Email: me@zayedtalib.com
Step 3: Configure Admin Permissions
Under the permissions section, enable the following areas to allow full POS testing and configuration:
| Permission Area | Access Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Home | View access | Required |
| Orders | Full access (view, create, edit, delete) | Required |
| Products | Full access | Required |
| Customers | Full access | Required |
| Analytics | View reports | Recommended |
| Discounts | Full access | Required |
| Store settings | Locations, Payments | Required |
Step 4: Assign POS Access
Scroll down to the "Point of Sale access" section. Enable POS access and select the specific location(s) where testing will occur. Choose the appropriate POS role:
- Full access — Recommended for testing (allows all POS functions including settings)
- Limited access — For production staff with restricted capabilities
Step 5: Send Invitation
Review all settings, then click "Send invite" to dispatch the staff invitation email. I will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation and create login credentials for your store.
Invitation Expiry
Staff invitations expire after 7 days. If the invitation expires before acceptance, you can resend it from the Users and permissions page by clicking on the pending invitation.
5. Configuring POS Permissions
Fine-tune the POS-specific permissions to control what actions can be performed at the point of sale terminal.
Step 1: Access POS Settings
Point of Sale → Settings → Staff
This area controls POS-specific capabilities independent of admin panel permissions.
Step 2: Set POS Role Permissions
For comprehensive testing, ensure the following POS capabilities are enabled:
| POS Capability | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Process payments | Accept card, cash, and custom payment types |
| Apply discounts | Test discount codes and manual discounts |
| Manage orders | Edit, cancel, and refund orders |
| View customer profiles | Access customer history and details |
| Access cash register | Perform cash tracking and drawer operations |
| View sales reports | Access daily sales summaries and analytics |
| Manage inventory | Adjust stock counts and receive inventory |
PIN Security
Each staff member can set a unique 4-digit PIN for POS login. This adds a security layer and enables individual sales tracking per staff member.
6. Testing & Verification
Once access has been granted, the following tests will be performed to ensure proper POS functionality.
- Staff login verification — Confirm ability to log into POS app with granted credentials
- Product catalog sync — Verify all products appear correctly with accurate pricing and variants
- Test transaction — Process a $0 or minimal test sale to confirm checkout flow
- Discount application — Test both percentage and fixed-amount discounts
- Customer attachment — Create or attach customer profiles to orders
- Receipt configuration — Test email and printed receipt delivery
- Inventory accuracy — Confirm stock levels update correctly after transactions
- Hardware integration — Test card reader, receipt printer, and other connected devices (if applicable)
Test Mode Payments
For payment testing without real charges, you can enable Shopify's test mode in Settings → Payments → Manage (under Shopify Payments). Use test card number4242 4242 4242 4242with any future date and CVC.
Recommended Build
If you'd rather not evaluate every option, this is the configuration I specify for most Singapore retail clients. Hardware pricing is from Kingly, Shopify's authorised hardware partner in Singapore.
| Item | Specified model | Source | Price (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device | iPad 11" (A16), 128GB Wi-Fi | Apple reseller | $629 |
| Stand | Bouncepad Caddy iPad Stand Organiser | Kingly | $85 |
| Receipt printer | Star Micronics TSP143IVUE (USB + LAN) | Kingly | $568 |
| Barcode scanner | Socket Mobile SocketScan S800 (1D Bluetooth) | Kingly | $408 |
| Cash drawer | Heavy Duty Cash Drawer (RJ12, printer-driven) | Kingly | $150 |
| Card reader | WisePOS E | Shopify direct | $99 |
| Hardware total | $1,939 | ||
Why these choices
Star TSP143IVUE over a cheaper Bluetooth-only printer. The LAN connection keeps the printer on the network rather than competing with every other radio in a mall unit. Bluetooth printers drop mid-queue; wired ones don't.
Socket Mobile S800 over a cheaper USB scanner. A USB scanner needs a powered hub hanging off the iPad, which adds cable clutter at the counter and a failure point for staff. The S800 pairs directly over Bluetooth and is on Shopify's supported hardware list. Step up to the S720 (2D, $599) only if you scan QR codes or GS1 DataBar.
iPad over iPhone. Screen size matters once you're handling multi-item carts, customer lookup and discount entry in the same transaction.
WisePOS E over the Tap & Chip Reader. At $99 it's the cheapest reader Shopify sells into this market, and the customer-facing screen handles PIN entry and tipping prompts without passing the iPad across the counter.
Variants by business type
| Business type | Change from base build | Hardware total |
|---|---|---|
| F&B / quick service | Star mC-Print3 ($689) in place of the TSP143IVUE; drop the scanner | $1,652 |
| Retail / fashion | Base build as specified | $1,939 |
| Pop-ups / markets | iPhone with Tap & Chip Reader, email receipts only; no printer, drawer or stand | Device + reader only |
Not included in this total
Shopify POS Pro at US$89 per location per month, receipt paper rolls, an RJ12 cable if not bundled with the drawer, and a network point or switch port for the printer.
Pricing accurate as of August 2026
Hardware prices change and stock varies. Confirm current pricing and GST treatment with Kingly before committing to a budget — retail prices shown may be quoted exclusive of GST. Contact Kingly at hello@kingly.sg or +65 6871 4180.
Need Assistance?
If you encounter any issues during the setup process, I'm here to help guide you through.