Accessing Square Handheld’s scanner from a third-party app

Questions
1

We build a POS and check-in platform for recreational venues and integrate with Square through the Terminal API (device code pairing, server-driven checkouts). It works well with Square Terminal, and we understand from this forum that Square Handheld is supported the same way.

Our venues scan player QR codes at check-in. Is there any supported way for a third-party integration to use the Handheld’s camera or built-in barcode scanner? For example:

  1. While the Handheld is paired via Terminal API, can it scan a code and return the result to our app (e.g. via a webhook or API)?
  2. Is there an SDK or app mode that lets our own app run on the Handheld and access the scanner, while still taking payments through Square?
  3. If neither, is this on the roadmap?

Thanks!

3

Square Handheld supports Terminal API checkouts, but doesn’t expose its built-in scanner to your app. There’s no supported developer method for accessing the scanner from custom integrations, including a scanner API/webhook for returning your player QR data.

Square also doesn’t support running external software on Handheld, so hosting your check-in app there isn’t supported either.

I don’t have a confirmed roadmap for this feature, but will relay this feedback to the relevant team!