With Lightspeed, your iPad will become one of your most used business tools. But before you can take orders on it, you’ll need to prepare your iPad or other iOS device by configuring its settings, installing the Lightspeed Restaurant app, and connecting your Lightspeed account. After that, configure the POS device’s settings to align with your specific business needs and complete its setup.

If powering on your iPad for the first time, follow the steps in Apple’s setup guide to first do the initial device setup.

What you’ll need

• A supported iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch running compatible operating system and browser versions
• Access to a secure internet connection optimized for Lightspeed Restaurant
• An Apple ID for downloading the Lightspeed Restaurant app
• Login credentials for the Back Office

Configuring iOS settings

Before you can install Lightspeed Restaurant, you'll need to connect to a Wi-Fi network and configure some other important system settings for your iPad or iOS device.

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

On your iPad or other iOS device, connect to a secure Wi-Fi network by navigating to Settings > Wi-Fi, and selecting the dedicated Wi-Fi network for your business. Enter the password, and confirm by clicking Join.

Configuring network settings

On your iPad or other iOS device, configure network settings by navigating to Settings > Wi-Fi, and tapping the icon next to your connected network.

Manually set up your DNS settings by clicking Configure DNS, and selecting Manual. If there are any DNS server IP addresses listed already, remove them from this window. Click + (plus sign) to add the following Google IPv4 addresses:

• 8.8.8.8
• 8.8.4.4

Then, navigate back to Settings > Wi-Fi to save your changes.

Adjusting your timezone

On your iPad or other iOS device, set up the correct timezone for your location by navigating to Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically.

Adjusting automatic updates and messaging settings

Avoid updates downloading during working hours and interrupting service by navigating to Settings > App Store > Automatic downloads, and toggling off App updates.

Prevent FaceTime and iMessage notifications from interrupting your sales flow by navigating to Settings > FaceTime, and toggling off FaceTime. Navigate to Settings > Messages, and toggle off iMessage.

For security, update your operating system and browser to the latest versions when available.

Enabling Guided Access

Guided Access limits your device to a single app and lets you control which features are available during a Guided Access session. This can keep the Lightspeed Restaurant app open during working hours and avoid accidental exiting of the Lightspeed Restaurant app, which disconnects all passive devices connected to the active device.

On your iPad or other iOS device, enable Guided Access by navigating to Settings > Accessibility. Under General, click Guided Access. Follow the prompts to customize.

Installing the Lightspeed Restaurant POS (K) app

Your employees will be using the Lightspeed Restaurant POS (K) app to process sales. Using Lightspeed for your business begins with installing the app on your iPad or other iOS device.

1. Make sure your device is connected to your secure Wi-Fi network and a power source.
2. Open the App Store and search for Lightspeed Restaurant POS (K) app.

   

3. Submit your Apple credentials to authorize the app download.

Once you’ve finished installing the app, you’re ready to connect it to your Lightspeed account.

Connecting the Restaurant POS app

To connect the Restaurant POS app to your Lightspeed account, you'll begin by generating a connection code and then using it to log in to the app as you prepare your iOS device for business.

Generating an app connection code

A connection code is a secure credential used for logging in to Lightspeed Restaurant app on a new device for the first time. Depending on your POS configuration settings, you may need to repeat this process and generate multiple connection codes for each of your devices.

1. Log in to the Back Office with your Lightspeed credentials.
2. From the navigation menu, select Configuration > Devices > Connection codes.
3. Select Click here to create a new connection code.
4. Fill in the appropriate details to create and customize the connection code.

Once created, you’ll be able to view your connection code as either a numerical or QR code, which you’ll use to connect your iOS device to your account using the Restaurant POS app.

Logging in to the Restaurant POS app

Using the connection code generated previously, log in to the Restaurant POS app to connect it with your account and prepare it for business.

1. Verify that your iOS device is connected to your dedicated Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the Restaurant POS (K) app on your device.
3. From the Restaurant POS login screen, manually enter or use your device's camera to scan the QR connection code.
4. Tap OK or Allow on each prompt to enable permissions for local network, location, and Bluetooth access.

   These permissions must be enabled for certain features to work properly. Without them, printers, payment terminals, and other POS devices cannot communicate with the POS.

5. Visit the Back Office to configure the settings of your new POS device.

Configuring POS device settings

Configure your POS device’s settings in the Back Office to finish setting it up after you’ve connected the Restaurant POS app. Here you’ll make devices active or passive, assign printers and payment terminals, and configure other features to align with your operational needs.

1. Log in to the Back Office with your Lightspeed credentials.
2. From the navigation menu, go to Configuration > Devices > Devices to access the Devices page.
3. Click Edit next to an active POS device.

   

4. Configure the POS device settings as desired.

   At minimum, we recommend setting:

   • Payment terminal: Allows you to connect your device to a payment terminal that you've previously added to the Back Office.
   • Printer profile for customer receipts: Select the printing profile you want to use for receipts generated on this POS device.
   • Printer profile for printing notes: Select the printing profile you want to use for order tickets generated on this POS device.
   • Account sharing role: Select Active device for the first iPad you activate and Passive device for each POS device after that. To learn more about active and passive POS devices, see About POS devices.
5. Select Update to apply your changes and return to the Devices page.

   

6. Click the reload icon in the Status column to sync the changes made in the Back Office to that POS device.