Activate & Sign In

Activate the Retail POS (S-Series) app to load your Lightspeed store onto an iPad or Android tablet. After the app is activated, sign in to the register and open a register shift to begin processing sales and returns.

Before activating Lightspeed Retail, you must download the Retail POS (S-Series) app on an iPad or Android tablet. For help downloading the app, visit our Introduction to the iPad or Introduction to Android article.

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Activate Lightspeed Retail

Activate the Retail POS (S-Series) app to link a new register to your account and begin using Lightspeed Retail on an iPad or Android tablet. There are two ways to activate: from the app itself or from BackOffice on an iPad.

From the Retail POS (S-Series) app

Follow along below to activate a register from within the Retail POS (S-Series) app using a Lightspeed Retail store name and manager code. If you have an Android tablet, you must use this method to activate the app.

  1. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, 'Activate Your Register'.
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  2. Enter your store name and manager code.

    Store Name | Lightspeed Retail account name with no spaces or punctuation.
    Manager Code | 4-digit code found in the BackOffice staff list and Lightspeed Retail welcome email.

  3. Tap 'Activate'.
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  4. (Optional) If prompted, enable push notifications.

    Notifications alert you with updates on matters affecting your Lightspeed Retail account, such as when there is a service disruption. Notifications can be disabled at any time from the Settings app on the iPad.

    This feature is only available in the Retail POS (S-Series) app for iOS. If not prompted during activation, you may be asked later to enable notifications from the sign in screen after a register shift is closed. Stay tuned as we roll out this feature to everyone.

    a Tap ‘Yes’, then select ‘Allow’.

From BackOffice on an iPad

Follow along below to activate a register from BackOffice on an iPad. If using an Android tablet, you cannot activate via this method and must instead do so from within the Retail POS (S-Series) app.

  1. On the iPad, open the Safari app and log in to BackOffice.

    Need help logging in? Visit our BackOffice Login and Overview article.

  2. Follow the steps here to load the mobile version of the webpage.
  3. Tap the Settings icon, then select ‘Register Licenses’.
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  4. Select ‘Activate Your Register’.
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  5. Tap 'Got it? Let’s do this'.
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  6. Tap ‘Activate Your Register’, then select ‘Open’.

  7. (Optional) If prompted, enable push notifications.

    Notifications alert you with updates on matters affecting your Lightspeed Retail account, such as when there is a service disruption. Notifications can be disabled at any time from the Settings app on the iPad.

    This feature is only available in the Retail POS (S-Series) app for iOS. If not prompted during activation, you may be asked later to enable notifications from the sign in screen after a register shift is closed. Stay tuned as we roll out this feature to everyone.

    a Tap ‘Yes’, then select ‘Allow’.

Sign In & Open a Register Shift

After activating the Retail POS (S-Series) app, sign in and open a register shift to enable staff to start processing transactions on the register.

  1. Enter a 4-digit manager code and tap 'Sign In'.

    Signing in is only necessary if more than 1 employee is set up in BackOffice. If unable to sign in to the register, visit our Login / Access Troubleshooting guide for help.

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  2. If necessary, select 'Open Register Shift' on the Main Menu (iOS) or register menu (Android).
    Retail POS (S-Series) app for iOS

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    Retail POS (S-Series) app for Android

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  3. Enter the starting cash amount, and tap 'Open Shift'.

    This amount cannot be changed after the register shift is opened.

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What's Next?

With Lightspeed Retail activated and a register shift opened, cashiers can begin processing transactions at the register. Visit the support articles below to learn how to run sales and returns, end your day in Lightspeed Retail, and get help with questions or issues that arise.

Using the Register

Not sure where to begin learning the Retail POS (S-Series) app? For an overview of how to perform basic register functions, such as running simple sales and returns, visit our Using the Register article.

Running Sales and Returns

When you are ready to dig deeper, visit our Running Sales at the Register and Performing Returns articles to learn how to apply discounts, tag customers to sales, perform manual returns, and use other features available for transactions.

Ending Your Day

At the end of each business day, close the register shift to prevent more sales from being run, balance the cash drawer, and get a summary of register activity for that day. Visit our Ending Your Day article to learn how to complete this process.

FAQ and Troubleshooting

If you have questions about using the register, visit our Lightspeed Retail POS (S-Series) FAQ for answers. Having register issues? Access one of the guides on our Troubleshooting page for help.