Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: Square POS app crashing, freezing, or closing during checkout.
Fast Fixes: Restart the app, clear device memory, update the Square POS app, reboot your device, and check for iOS/Android updates.
Need official help? See our Square Customer Service Guide.
Want instant troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
If the Square POS app keeps crashing or freezing, it usually comes down to software bugs, outdated apps, low device memory, or an unstable reader connection. This guide walks you through fast, step-by-step fixes used by real-world restaurants, bars, food trucks, and small retail shops.
Table of Contents
Common Causes of the Square POS App Crashing
- Outdated Square POS app
- Low device storage or memory
- iOS or Android version conflicts
- Buggy app update or corrupted app files
- Unstable Wi-Fi or network issues
- Square reader connection problems
- Device overheating
- Too many apps running in the background
If your Square reader isn’t connecting properly, it can also trigger app crashes. See our Square Reader Not Connecting guide.
How to Fix the Square POS App When It Keeps Crashing
1. Force-Close and Reopen the Square POS App
This is the fastest fix and resolves most temporary glitches.
- Swipe up (iOS) or open Recent Apps (Android)
- Fully close Square POS
- Reopen the app
If the app freezes again right away, move to the next step.
2. Restart Your Device
A simple reboot clears memory leaks and app-level issues:
- Restart your iPad, iPhone, or Android device
- Reopen Square POS
- Run a test transaction
3. Update the Square POS App
App crashes often happen right after an OS update or when the Square app is outdated.
- Go to App Store or Google Play
- Search “Square Point of Sale”
- Tap Update if available
Square frequently patches bugs, especially after new iOS/Android releases.
4. Update Your Device Software
An outdated OS can cause compatibility issues with Square POS.
- Check for iOS/Android updates
- Install any pending updates
- Restart your device
5. Free Up Device Storage & Memory
Low storage or memory can cause Square POS to freeze, especially during peak activity.
- Delete unused apps
- Clear device cache (Android)
- Offload large photos/videos (iOS)
Leave at least 1–2 GB free for the Square POS app to run smoothly.
6. Reconnect the Square Reader
Sometimes the app crashes because the reader keeps disconnecting mid-transaction.
- Open Square POS → Settings → Card Readers
- Forget the reader
- Reconnect it inside the app
If your reader won’t charge, see Square Reader Not Charging.
7. Clear App Data (Android Only)
If you’re using Android, corrupted cache files can cause the Square POS app to crash repeatedly.
- Go to Settings → Apps
- Select Square POS
- Tap Storage & Cache
- Tap Clear Cache (do NOT clear data unless Square recommends it)
8. Reinstall the Square POS App
If the app is corrupted, reinstalling is the only fix.
- Delete the Square POS app
- Restart your device
- Reinstall the app from the App Store/Google Play
This solves many crash loops after updates.
When to Contact Square Support
If the Square POS app continues crashing after these steps, you may be dealing with:
- A device compatibility issue
- Square account problems
- Corrupted device OS files
- Repeated reader disconnects
Get official help here:
Square Customer Service – Phone, Chat & Help Center
Square POS App Crashing – FAQs
Why does the Square POS app keep crashing?
How do I fix a frozen Square app?
Does a bad reader cause the Square app to freeze?
Will reinstalling Square POS delete my data?
Why does Square POS crash after an update?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
For guided help, try our free support assistant:
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Square
- Type: “Square POS app crashing”
- Follow the guided troubleshooting flow
Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
If you’re dealing with repeated POS issues, it might be time to compare more reliable options built for restaurants and retail businesses.
Takes 30 seconds • No sales pressure
