iOS / Android / Desktop Best Practise

Awesome to have you aboard!

You've created a Lightspeed account and, you've downloaded the app. Before you set sail with your Lightspeed, you'll want to make sure that your hardware is fine-tuned for performance - like the race car we need it to be. We've written these tips to help you optimise your device/s.

Need to confirm that you are using a supported device?

Let’s dive right into it!

What's in this Guide?

iOS Device Optimisation Checklist

Android Device Optimisation Checklist

PC/Mac Optimisation Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

iOS Device Optimisation Checklist

Unleash the full capacity of Lightspeed on your iPad or iPhone with these tips!

Before you start - Make sure you have your iOS device set up and, the Lightspeed App downloaded first.

Pro Tip #1 - Don't use dodgy 3rd party charging cables

This might seem a little obvious, but the real thing is best. We have seen first-hand 3rd party charging cables wreak havoc with iPads. Better safe than sorry.

This is particularly important for Apple devices which require MFI certified equipment.

Pro Tip #2 - Don't stream music in the background

Streaming music can be a big bandwidth hog both in terms of processing power and network speed - this can substantially restrict Lightspeed's job of making you money.

Pro Tip #3 - Create a business-specific Apple ID

Keep your devices connected on a business-specific Apple ID - not only does keep your personal data safe but if someone leaves the business unexpectedly it can be difficult to remove a personal Apple ID from a device.

Pro Tip #4 - Update your iOS Software

Keep up to date with not only bug fixes but also security patches on your device. It is common that you are notified when a software update is needed. If not, you can check yourself from the App Store. Here’s how:

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Look for General
Select Software Update
You will see if any updates are available
Select Update

Note - If you want to learn more about updates on iOS, this article discusses it further.

Pro Tip #5 - Make sure the time zone is correct

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Look for General
Select Date & Time
This automatically sets your date and time based on your time zone.

Pro Tip #6 - Make sure location services are enabled

This will help to ensure your time zone stays accurate and if anything bad happens and your iPhone or iPad goes missing - you'll be able to track it easier.

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Look for Privacy
Select Location Services
Turn on Location Services

Pro Tip #7 - Enable automatic software updates

Otherwise, update your app regularly - check every two weeks to be sure

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Look for iTunes & App Store
Enable Updates

Pro Tip #8 - Enable Push Notification for Lightspeed

We sometimes need to let you know about updates to Lightspeed or, send you a reply if you're chatting to our Support Team.

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Select Notifications
Turn on Allow Notifications
A list of apps that support push notifications will appear
Look for Lightspeed
Sounds, Alerts and Badges can all be turned on or off individually

Pro Tip #9 - Forget old WiFi networks

If your device is used as a POS, forgetting networks that you do not need to connect to but may have connected to in the past will stop your register from accidentally connecting to the wrong network and disrupting your printing.

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Select Wi-Fi
Choose each network separately by selecting the blue i
Select Forget this Network

Pro Tip #10 - Keep your device clean

Electrical devices naturally accumulate dust and, in a busy restaurant, kitchen, cafe or bar, this can be worse with food or possible liquid spills added to the mix. Buildup on or in your device can slow down performance or critically damage important ports and buttons.

Keep your area around these devices as clean as possible and use manufacturer-approved cleaning cloths and solutions.

Pro Tip #11 - Disable the auto-lock in brightness settings

When a device auto-locks, this can momentarily disconnect Lightspeed and cause sync issues. Here’s how you can disable auto-lock on your iPhone or iPad.

(For iOS)

Go to Settings
Select Display and Brightness
Select Auto Lock
Select the Never option

Note - If you want to learn more about this, this article discusses it further.

Pro Tip #12 - Minimise switching between apps

If you would use other apps simultaneously with Lightspeed on your device, this can also cause sync issues.

Note - if you're looking for even greater control of your register devices, you can use iOS' Guided Access feature to lock down your devices to Lightspeed only. (This is similar to the Screen Pinning feature on Android.)

Android Device Optimisation Checklist

Unleash the full capacity of Lightspeed on your mobile phone or tablet with these tips!

Before you start - Make sure you have your device set up and, the Lightspeed App downloaded first.

Pro Tip #1 - Don't use dodgy 3rd party charging cables

This might seem a little obvious, but the real thing is best. We have seen first-hand 3rd party charging cables wreak havoc with iPads. Better safe than sorry.

Pro Tip #2 - Don't stream music in the background

Streaming music can be a big bandwidth hog both in terms of processing power and network speed - this can substantially restrict Lightspeed's job of making you money.

Pro Tip #3 - Create a business-specific Google Account

Keep your devices connected on a business-specific Google Account - not only does keep your personal data safe but if someone leaves the business unexpectedly it can be difficult to remove a personal account from a device.

Pro Tip #4 - Update your device software

Keep up to date with not only bug fixes but also security patches on your device. It is common that you are notified when a software update is needed.If not, you can check yourself from the Play Store. Here’s how:

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Look for System Update (If you can’t find System Update here, find it in About Phone/ About Tablet / About Device)
You will see if any updates are available
Select Update
Learn more about this

Pro Tip #5 - Make sure the time zone is correct

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Look for Date & Time (If you can’t find Date & Time here, find it in Advanced Settings)
Tap Select Time Zone
Adjust it accordingly.

Pro Tip #6 - Make sure location services are enabled

This will help to ensure your time zone stays accurate and if anything bad happens and your device goes missing - you'll be able to track it easier.

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Look for Location Access (If you can’t find Location Access here, find it in Advanced Settings)
Turn on Access my location

Pro Tip #7 - Enable automatic software updates

Otherwise, update your app regularly - check every two weeks to be sure

(For Android)

Open Google Play Store
Touch the hamburger icon in the top-left
Choose My apps & games. (Alternatively, you can use the search bar to look for the app.)
Look for Point of Sale (POS) by Lightspeed
Once you’re on the app page, choose More
Check Auto-update

Pro Tip #8 - Enable Push Notification forLightspeed

We sometimes need to let you know about updates to Lightspeed or, send you a reply if you're chatting to our Support Team.

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Select Apps
Look for Lightspeed
Select Notifications
Select Allow Notifications
Sounds, Alerts and Badges can all be turned on or off individually

Pro Tip #9 - Forget old WiFi networks

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Select Wi-Fi
Choose each network separately with a long-press
Select Forget this Network

Pro Tip #10 - Keep your device clean

Keep your area around these devices as clean as possible and use manufacturer-approved cleaning cloths and solutions.

Pro Tip #11 - Disable the auto-lock in brightness settings

When a device auto-locks, this can momentarily disconnect Lightspeed and cause sync issues. Here’s how you can disable auto-lock on your Android device.

(For Android)

Go to Settings
Select Security & Location (If you don't see Security & location, select Security.)
Some Android devices would also give you the option: Screen lock & passwords or Lock Screen. If you see any of these options, that is the one you should select.
Select Screen Lock Type (In some devices this would show as Screen Lock)
Select No Lock or None

Pro Tip #12 - Minimise switching between apps

If you would use other apps simultaneously with Lightspeed on your device, this can also cause sync issues.

Note - If you're looking for even greater control of your register devices, you can use Android’s Lightspeed only. (This is similar to the Guided Access feature on iOS.) If you want to learn more about this, this article discusses it further.

PC/Mac Optimization Checklist

Unleash the full capacity of Lightspeed on your PC or Mac with this checklist!

Chrome is the best-supported platform for using Lightspeed's Web App, however, you can also view the Back office in Safari as well if you'd prefer.

Pro Tip #1 - You'll need Intelligent Printing on a Windows or Mac

What is Intelligent Printing? The Epson Intelligent printer allows your browser to communicate directly with your printers.

Pro Tip #2 - Mouse or Touchscreen?

Depending on the type of touch screen that you have or, if you are still going to use a mouse - you may need to change some of these settings to make it easier to use your PC as a POS terminal.

On-Screen Keyboard - An onscreen keyboard can be enabled if you wish to use the touchscreen without having to use a physical keyboard. The onscreen keyboard will appear when selecting a field where text can be entered.
- Head to the register settings in the Back Office
- Select the register you wish to enable the on-screen keyboard for
- Turn On Screen Keyboard to Yes

Touch Capabilities - If your Windows device has a touchscreen and you wish to use this instead of a mouse you can follow the below steps to do this.
This may disable some of the buttons that can be selected with a mouse as the touch screen option can only be selected to enable only the touchscreen or mouse of certain Windows devices.
- Go to the POS
- Select the menu button (top left)
- Go to Preferences
- Select Enable Touch

Scroll Buttons - Scroll buttons can be enabled if you are not using a Windows or Mac computer with a touchscreen. Scroll arrows can help you effortlessly scroll up and down your menus.
To enable, follow the steps below:
- Go to the POS
- Select the menu button (top left)
- Go to Preferences
- Select Enable Scroll Buttons

Pro Tip #3 - Keep your Operating System up to date

Ensure your device's operating system is up to date. Most manufacturers release updates throughout the year to address performance, bugs and security vulnerabilities.

Pro Tip #4 - Clear your browser cache regularly

Browser store a lot of information and, if not regularly cleaned this can slow down its performance. Always make sure that your Lightspeed is online when doing this so that any data saved in the cache is transferred to the Lightspeed server first.

For Chrome

Open Chrome
At the top right, click More
Select More tools
Check these boxes: Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files
Select Clear data.

For Safari

Open Safari
Select Safari (upper left-hand side of your screen)
Select Preferences
Look for the Privacy tab
Select Remove All Website Data
Select Remove Now in the pop-up window

Pro Tip #5 - Keep your device clean

Keep your area around these devices as clean as possible and use manufacturer-approved cleaning cloths and solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a mobile phone or tablet for taking orders?

We get asked this a lot - and honestly, its all down to personal preference.

The only difference for Lightspeed is the screen size - but we've optimised the POS, Back Office and, even the in-app chat to work on any screen size.

For taking orders, tablets or larger mobile devices are generally better because you get a better view of everything at once.

Here are a few screenshots to help you decide which you'd prefer;

On Mobile	On Tablet

The Menu function. (above) For order-taking or for customers to order for themselves. Learn about building a menu on Lightspeed

The Tables add-on. (above) For a quicker, more visual order-taking. Learn about Lightspeed’s Tables add-on.

The Reports page. (above) For a visualization of important data: Sales Summary, Sales Feed, and etc. Learn about Lightspeed’s Reports Function.

The Chat support. (above) One of the ways to reach us. You can chat, call, or email for concerns. Learn about Contacting the Team.