Connecting & Updating Your Stripe M2 Reader

The Stripe M2 Card Reader is a Bluetooth-enabled credit card reader that accepts EMV chip, contactless (NFC / Apple Pay / Google Pay), and magstripe card payments.

Plan: the M2 reader is available starting on the Premium plan. Freemium and Lite don't support connecting one — Lite includes Tap to Pay instead, and Freemium is manual card entry only.

1. Initial Bluetooth Pairing

  1. Ensure your device's Bluetooth is turned ON in system settings.
  2. Turn on your Stripe M2 Reader by holding the power button until the LED status lights turn on.
  3. Open the Membrzs Market app and go to the Reader tab in the bottom navigation.
  4. Under "Choose connection method," tap Stripe M2. The app scans for and connects to nearby Bluetooth readers automatically.
  5. Confirm the pairing prompt on your mobile device.

Don't have a reader yet? You can order one for $79 from Config > Hardware Store.

2. On-Demand Firmware Updates

Membrzs Market supports on-demand firmware updates so you can ensure your reader is running the latest software before heading out to a market.

  1. On the Reader tab, with your M2 connected, look for an Update Firmware button — it only appears when an update is actually available.
  2. Tap it and confirm "Update reader firmware?".
  3. Keep your reader powered on and near your phone. A progress card reads "Installing reader update…" with a Cancel update option if you need to stop it.

Important: Don't turn off your reader or force-close the app while an update is installing.

3. Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If your M2 reader fails to connect or disconnects during a session:

  • Check Battery Level: Ensure the reader has sufficient charge.
  • Reset Bluetooth: Toggle Bluetooth off and on in your iOS/Android system settings, then re-open Membrzs Market.
  • Verify Location Permissions: On Android and iOS, location services permission is required by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) scanning APIs.
  • Unpair & Re-pair: Forget the device in your phone's Bluetooth settings, then tap Stripe M2 again on the Reader tab to reconnect.