Latest update hardware connectivity problems

Retail & Point of Sale

Topic summary

Multiple retailers are experiencing Bluetooth connectivity failures with Star TSP100III printers and card readers following a recent Shopify POS app update.

Core Issue:

  • Printers connect to iPads at the system level but fail to be recognized within the Shopify POS app
  • Previously reliable workflows (closing/reopening, automatic reconnection) no longer function
  • Tap and chip readers also disconnect, though manual reconnection sometimes works

Failed Troubleshooting Attempts:

  • Firmware updates via Star Micronics app
  • Printer resets using various methods
  • Star Quick Setup Utility with different settings (Auto Connection, New Pairing Permission, Bluetooth Diagnostic Mode)
  • Reinstalling Shopify POS app
  • Testing on new iPad hardware

Business Impact:

  • Disrupted operations during high-traffic events (Indie Bookstore Day)
  • Loss of receipt-based tracking for tax purposes and loyalty programs
  • Particular hardship for rural businesses serving customers without email/smartphones

Status: No solution or workaround has been identified. The issue appears widespread across different hardware configurations, with one user confirming the same equipment worked flawlessly on older iPad models before upgrading.

Summarized with AI on October 25. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I am ready to scream.

The most recent app update has caused ongoing bluetooth connectivity problems for the star tsp100iii bluetooth printer/register drawer and the tap and chip reader. I am running these off of IOS 17.7.6 on an ipad 6th gen.

I used to be able to close up at night, turn off the printer, come in, put in my PIN to the app, turn the printer on, and everything would work. Now most of the time the receipt printer is not working, and will not reconnect – I updated the firmware, via the star micronics app, nothing is working. AND/OR, the tap and chip is disconnected but at least that seems to be able to manually reconnect.

The printer WAS usable in its OWN app, printed test receipts, and was being picked up by the ipad, but NOT in the Shopify app. What is going on? This made our busiest day of the year (Indie Bookstore Day) a nightmare yesterday. I’ve had it.

2

I am about to scream too with this last update - I have two POS systems that won’t connect with my printers. I use my printers to print out receipts for free ice cream from our “rewards” cards. I like to keep track for tax purposes the amount of free stuff I give away - now my staff can’t print a physical receipt. I hate this new update - it’s slower, smaller and lighter. We live in a rural community where not many of our older customers have email or smart phones. Shopify - RESTORE THE RECEIPT PRINTER PLEASE!

3

Same exact problem here… no luck troubleshooting it either.

4

Was there ever a solution or workaround for this?

We had an ipad that had slowed to a crawl. Finally bought a new one and, in general, love it, but the receipt printer does not. I’ve done everything: reset the printer multiple times (following different instructions), upgraded the firmware, reinstalled the Shopify POS app, used the Star Quick Setup Utility to try different combinations of settings (Auto Connection, New Pairing Permission, Bluetooth Diagnostic Mode).

Most of the time, the printer WILL connect to the iPad. It just isn’t recognized by the POS program.

Having issues with the scanner, too, but those are less frequent and more easily resolved. For the record, we had NO problems on the old iPad Air we were using; it had just become painfully slow.

1 Like