Tap to Pay turns the WorkBench phone app into the card reader: the client taps their card, phone or watch on the back of your phone and the invoice is paid. It runs through your own Square account at Square's in-person rate — usually cheaper than a card typed online. Needs an iPhone XS or newer on iOS 16.7+, or an Android phone with NFC on Android 9+, and the latest WorkBench app from the App Store or Google Play.
Set it up once per phone
- Connect Square first (Settings → Payments & accounting → Online Payments). If the card there says Reconnect Square to turn on Tap to Pay, press Reconnect Square — Square needs one extra permission for in-person payments. On the phone, Square opens in your browser; sign in to WorkBench there if it asks, approve, and come back to the app.
- On the phone app, open the same card: Tap to Pay on this phone → Set up.
- Allow location when asked. Square requires it for every in-person payment.
- iPhone only: Apple shows its Tap to Pay terms — sign in with your Apple ID and accept. Done when the card says Ready.
Take a payment
- Open the invoice in the phone app (Awaiting Payment or Past Due) and press Tap to Pay. The amount is the balance, plus the service fee when yours is on — the button shows the total.
- Square's screen says Hold card here. The client holds their card or phone to the top/back of your phone until it buzzes.
- Square may offer the client a text or email receipt. WorkBench records the payment, shows the approved screen and sends its usual paid email when the invoice has a client.
If something's not working
I don't see a Tap to Pay button.
It only exists in the WorkBench phone app (not Safari or Chrome), on a phone that can take contactless payments, once Square is connected and your app is up to date. If Settings → Online Payments says Reconnect Square to turn on Tap to Pay, the account owner needs to do that first.
It said "Cancelled — nothing was charged".
The card was pulled away or the screen was dismissed before the tap finished. Press Tap to Pay again.
The card was declined.
Same as any card decline — ask for another card, or send the pay link so they can pay by bank.
The card was charged but the invoice still shows a balance.
Square confirmed the tap but WorkBench couldn't reach Square to record it. It is matched to the invoice within a few minutes on its own; refresh the invoice. If it's still open after an hour, open Payments: the sale is listed under Square · outside WorkBench — press Record on an invoice and pick the invoice.
Where is the money?
In your Square balance, paid out on your Square schedule — the same as online payments. The Payouts tab on the Payments page shows each payout and what's in it; see Your Payments page.
I took the card in the Square app instead. Does WorkBench see it?
Yes. Sales your Square account took outside WorkBench — the Square POS app, Tap to Pay in the Square app, a reader — show on Payments under Square · outside WorkBench with a Record on an invoice button, so the client's balance and your reports stay right.