Link/2500 Credit Card Reader Setup

The Ingenico Link/2500 Bluetooth Credit Card Reader connects wirelessly to the Lightspeed Retail POS (S-Series) app for iOS to process swiped, EMV, and contactless credit payments, allowing flexibility to carry the device with your register on the go. After charging the reader’s rechargeable battery, pair the reader with your iPad via Bluetooth, then connect it to the Lightspeed Retail POS to use it to accept credit cards.

Watch our setup video below:

Link/2500 Card Reader Setup

Table of Contents

In the Box

The Link/2500 Bluetooth Credit Card Reader ships with the parts listed below.

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  • Ingenico Link/2500 Bluetooth Credit Card Reader
  • USB-C Charging Cable
  • USB Power Supply
  • U.S. and International Plug Adapters (3)
  • User Guide
  • The Link/2500 operates on battery power and needs to be charged to function. Plug the Link/2500 in to charge before using it the first time and whenever its battery is running low.

    1. Lift the flap on the side of the Link/2500 covering the charging port.
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    2. Plug the USB-C cable into the charging port.
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    3. Slide the U.S. plug adapter into the power supply.
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    4. Plug the other end of the USB-C cable into the power supply.
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    5. Plug the power supply into a power outlet.

      The Link/2500 will automatically turn on when connected to power. Wait 1 – 2 minutes until the reader displays the ShopKeep logo.

    6. If setting up the Link/2500 for the first time, allow it to charge for at least 4 hours.

      After initial setup, it takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery when it is depleted.

    Pair with the iPad

    With the Link/2500 charged and powered on, pair it with the iPad via Bluetooth so it can be connected to the Retail POS (S-Series) app.

    1. Make sure the Link/2500 is powered on and displaying the ShopKeep logo.

      If the Link/2500 is not powered on, hold the green button to turn it on and wait for the ShopKeep logo. This takes about 1 – 2 minutes.

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    2. On the iPad, open the Settings app.
    3. Tap 'Bluetooth', then toggle 'Bluetooth' on.

      Keep this screen open on the iPad while completing steps 4 – 10 below.

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    4. On the Link/2500, press '0', '0', '0', and '1' in quick succession.
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    5. Highlight ‘Bluetooth Parameters’, using ‘F3’ to move down the menu if necessary. Once highlighted, press the green button to select it.

      The layout of this screen will vary depending on the specific version of Link/2500 in use (CL1 or CL2).

      Link/2500 CL1 Version

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      Link/2500 CL2 Version

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    6. Highlight ‘Phone pairing’ or ‘Pair’, using ‘F3’ to move down the menu if necessary. Once highlighted, press the green button to select it.
      Link/2500 CL1 Version

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      Link/2500 CL2 Version

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    7. If the Link/2500 displays a QR code, press any key to dismiss it.
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    8. On the iPad, tap the device matching the name displayed on the Link/2500.

      This step must be completed within 1 minute of the device appearing on the iPad screen.

    9. Verify the passkey displayed on the iPad matches the code shown on the Link/2500, then press the green button on the reader.

      Steps 8 and 9 must both be completed within 30 seconds of the passkey appearing on screen.

    10. On the iPad, tap 'Pair'.

      Steps 8 and 9 must both be completed within 30 seconds of the passkey appearing on screen.

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    11. Wait for the status of the Link/2500 to change to 'Connected' on the iPad.
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    12. On the Link/2500, press the red button to return to the logo screen.
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    13. Follow the steps to connect the reader to the Retail POS (S-Series) app.

    Having problems pairing the reader? Visit the Link/2500 Troubleshooting guide for help.

    Connect to Lightspeed

    With the Link/2500 paired with the iPad via Bluetooth, open the Lightspeed Retail POS (S-Series) app on the iPad to finish setting up the reader.

    1. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, open the Main Menu and select 'Integrated Hardware'.
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    2. Tap 'Card Readers'.
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    3. If there is not a check next to 'Link/2500', tap 'Link/2500' to connect.
      • If there is a check, the reader is already connected. Skip the rest of the steps in this section.
      • If there is a red X or the reader is not listed on screen, visit our troubleshooting guide for help resolving the issue.
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    4. If prompted, tap ‘OK’ and allow the reader to reboot.

      The ShopKeep logo will appear on the reader when it is finished rebooting.

    5. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, wait for a check to appear.
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    Customer Facing Display

    The Link/2500 also acts as a customer facing display to show transaction details as a cashier uses the register. Learn below about the features of the customer facing display and how to toggle the display off or back on.

    Display Features

    View below what customers see on the Link/2500 as a cashier moves through a sale.

    The reader shows the last item added or edited along with its quantity, its modifiers or variants, and the sale’s discounts, tax, and total. This information appears for both sales and returns.

    ‘Item Removed’ indicates the cashier deleted that item from the sale.

    When the cashier tenders a sale to ‘Credit’, customers see their total and a message to swipe, tap, or insert a card.

    When opening a saved sale, the reader displays discounts, tax, and the total due until items are added or edited.

    Display Settings

    The customer facing display feature is enabled by default, but you can toggle it off or back on as desired.

    1. In BackOffice, click 'Settings' and select 'General'.
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    2. To disable the display, uncheck the 'Enable' box and click 'Save'.

      To enable the display, re-check the box and save.

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    3. On the Lightspeed Retail POS, tap 'Get Updates from BackOffice' from the Main Menu, then 'Get Updates'.

      If you receive an error while getting updates, visit our troubleshooting guide for help.

    The optional stand for the Link/2500 keeps the reader secure and accessible in the checkout area. It arrives almost out-of-the-box ready with just a few setup steps to complete.

    The stand ships with the following parts: stand, an alcohol wipe, and a setup guide.

    1. Clean the back of the Link/2500 with the included alcohol wipe and wait for it to dry.
    2. Remove the backing from the top of the stand to expose the adhesive.
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    3. Position the Link/2500 on the adhesive, then press down firmly.
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    4. Check that cards can easily be swiped and inserted into the Link/2500, adjusting the reader if needed.
    5. Wait 12 - 24 hours for the adhesive to cure.

      Failure to complete this step may cause the reader to separate from the stand when in use.

    6. (Optional) Adhere the stand to a countertop.
      a Clean the counter with an alcohol wipe.
      b Remove the backing from the bottom of the stand.
      c (Optional) Drill a hole in the counter to align with the hole in the stand.
      This allows you to run the charging cable under the counter, through the hole, and to the Link/2500.
      d Position the stand on the counter, then press down firmly.
      e Wait 12 – 24 hours for the adhesive to cure.

    Accepting Credit Cards

    The Link/2500 supports multiple types of credit payments. Follow the steps below to learn the basics of accepting EMV chip cards, swiped credit cards, and contactless payments.

  • Before accepting credit cards, your Lightspeed Retail account must be boarded for credit card processing. Learn how to set up credit card processing here.
  • Tip and signature settings control how customers leave tips and sign for credit sales: on the screen of the register or on a paper receipt. Learn how to change these settings here.
  • For a full walkthrough of a credit sale, visit the Accepting Credit Cards article. Running into issues while processing payments? Visit our troubleshooting guide for help.
  • EMV

    If a customer has a card with a chip in it, run an EMV sale. The Link/2500 supports Quick Chip technology to process EMV cards even faster than ever.

    EMV is currently only available to merchants who process credit cards with ShopKeep Payments by Lightspeed. Visit our FAQ to learn more.

    1. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, ring up a sale and select 'Credit'.
    2. Insert the card into the bottom of the reader (chip end first).

      Steps 1 and 2 are interchangeable. Customers can insert their card before or after the sale is tendered.

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    3. When the screen on the reader indicates payment is approved, remove the card.
    4. Continue closing the sale.

    Swipe

    When a customer has a card with only a magnetic stripe or if you are not set up to accept EMV, process a swiped credit card sale.

    1. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, ring up a sale and select 'Credit'.
    2. With the card stripe facing up, slide the card through the top slot on the reader.
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    3. Wait for payment to be approved.
    4. Continue closing the sale.

    Contactless

    For customers who wish to use a contactless payment method, the Link/2500 supports Apple Pay, Apple Pay Cash, EMV contactless credit cards, and other types of NFC payments.

    This feature is currently only available to merchants with EMV payments enabled.

    1. In the Retail POS (S-Series) app, ring up a sale and select 'Credit'.
    2. Customer holds their card or device near the screen of the reader.
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    3. Cashier waits for payment to be approved.
    4. Continue closing the sale.

    Turn the Reader Off and On

    Turn the Link/2500 off to conserve battery power when it will not be used for an extended period of time. When the reader is needed again, turn it back on.

    1. Unplug the Link/2500 from power, if connected.
    2. To turn off the Link/2500, hold the ‘.,#*’ and yellow buttons until the screen says 'Shutdown in progress'.
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    3. To turn on the Link/2500, hold the green button until the screen lights up.
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    Having issues with the reader? Visit the Link/2500 Troubleshooting guide for help.