Skip to content

Accept payments without internet

Process transactions even when Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity is limited.

Download free (iOS)Download for Android
View steps
Payment for Stripe securely stores offline payments and automatically syncs them when you reconnect.
4.8 App Store rating 245K+ businesses worldwide

Last updated November 2026

Quick answer

With a Bluetooth Stripe reader, or with the app running directly on a Stripe Reader S700 or S710, you can accept card payments while offline and submit them once you reconnect. Useful for markets, events and spotty connections.

Official documentation: Stripe Terminal documentation

From the blog

How to get started

Follow these 4 simple steps to get up and running.

  1. 1

    How offline mode works

    Turn on Allow offline payments in Settings, under Card Reader. When your device loses its connection, Payment for Stripe keeps taking cards on a supported Stripe card reader. Transactions are encrypted and stored securely on your device until connectivity is restored.

  2. 2

    Processing an offline payment

    With a supported reader connected, take the sale as you normally would. The toolbar shows Offline, and the result reads Not yet confirmed. The card is stored, and Stripe approves or declines it when it syncs. Offline charges are amount entry only, so the product catalog, customers, invoices and payment links stay unavailable until you reconnect.

  3. 3

    Automatic syncing when online

    Once your device reconnects to the internet, Payment for Stripe sends every stored payment to Stripe in the background. The toolbar shows Syncing while they go through, then clears. No manual action required.

  4. 4

    Handling failed syncs

    In rare cases, an offline payment may fail to process when synced (e.g., insufficient funds, expired card). The app shows a message with the declined amount right away, so you can follow up with the customer and collect it again.

FAQ

Common questions

Is there a limit on offline payments?
Yes. Stripe caps each offline payment at $10,000 or the equivalent in your currency, and the app won't store a sale over the limit. Connect to the internet regularly so stored payments sync and don't pile up.
What are the risks of accepting offline payments?
Offline payments carry some risk since the card cannot be fully authorized at the time of sale. If a card is declined when synced, you may not be able to collect payment. We recommend using offline mode for trusted customers or lower-value transactions.
How long can payments stay offline?
Reconnect as soon as you can: a stored card isn't authorized until it syncs. While you're disconnected, the toolbar shows Offline. Keep the app installed until everything has synced, because deleting it loses payments that haven't been sent.
Which card readers support offline payments?
Two setups work. Bluetooth readers (Stripe Reader M2, BBPOS WisePad 3, BBPOS Chipper 2X BT) paired to your phone, and a Stripe Reader S700 or S710 running Payment for Stripe directly on the device. What decides it is how the reader connects, not the hardware. An S700 or S710 paired to your phone over Wi-Fi processes cards on the reader itself, so there is nothing to queue locally and offline is unavailable. The same reader running the app on its own screen can take offline payments. Tap to Pay and the BBPOS WisePOS E need an internet connection.
Can I use my product catalog offline?
No. Offline mode is amount entry only. Products, customers, invoices and payment links all need a connection, so they're switched off while you're offline. If you lose connectivity with items already in a cart, the cart is cleared and you'll be told why. Type the amount instead, and everything syncs once you reconnect.

Related guides

Ready to get started?

Download the free app and start accepting payments in minutes.
Download free (iOS)Contact support