Shopify POS Goes Offline (In a Good Way)

While we normally exist in an almost exclusively e-comm bubble, today’s post is for those with a physical presence too. IRL or otherwise, there’s nothing like a checkout failure to bring a busy retail moment to a screeching halt. One minute your customer is happily tapping their card, the next you’re staring down a frozen screen, a spinning wheel, and a slowly building line of side-eyes.

Thankfully, Shopify POS just introduced a feature that solves for one of retail’s most annoying problems: internet outages. The new offline payments functionality means your team can still take card payments even when your connection goes MIA. No hotspot scrambling, no “cash only” apologies. Just… continue as if nothing happened.

What’s New: Shopify POS Offline Payments

With Shopify POS version 9.14.0 (or later) and the right hardware (POS Terminal Reader or Tap & Chip Reader), you can now accept credit and debit card payments without an active internet connection.

Here’s what happens behind the scenes:

• Payments are encrypted and stored locally
• Everything syncs back to your Shopify admin once you’re online again
• The customer gets the same smooth checkout experience. No awkward lag, no explaining

It’s the retail equivalent of playing it cool when everything is definitely on fire.

Why This Actually Matters

1. You Stop Losing Sales to WiFi (duh)

Your internet shouldn’t get to decide if you make a sale. With offline payments, pop-ups, trade shows, bad weather, or surprise router reboots don’t mean missed revenue.

2. It Saves Your Reputation

Shoppers might tolerate a line, but a failed payment? That sticks. And not in a good way. In fact, 32% of customers will bail on a brand after just one bad experience. Offline mode helps you avoid being part of that stat.

3. It Works Where You Work

Not every store has perfect signal (we’ve seen the inside of a cement-walled retail space or two.) This feature is built for weird WiFi, rural markets, and events where you’re operating from a folding table with a dream.

Conversion Boost, Courtesy of Staying Online (Even When You’re Not)

Online checkout abandonment is already high, and goes up to 89% depending on the industry. When the WiFi drops during a physical checkout, you give customers one more reason to walk. Shopify’s offline payments patch that gap:

• No interruptions = fewer lost sales
• Faster checkouts = less buyer second-guessing
• Reliable system = more customer trust

Basically, offline payments help you close the deal before doubt creeps in.

A Few Things to Know

Before you throw out your router, a quick reality check:

• Payments taken offline can still fail later (like if the customer has insufficient funds or canceled their card)
• Features like loyalty, real-time inventory, and gift cards won’t work until you’re reconnected
• You’ll need to get back online within 24 hours to minimize any issues

So yes, it’s a powerful feature, but it’s not magic. Just a really smart backup plan.

How to Turn It On

Setting up offline payments is simple:

1. Go to Point of Sale > Settings in your Shopify admin
2. Enable Accept offline payments
3. Set any transaction limits
4. Assign permission to staff members as needed

Then breathe easier knowing you’re covered the next time the WiFi decides it’s done for the day.

Final Word: This Is a No-Brainer

In retail, momentum is everything. Shopify POS offline payments keep things moving even when your tech doesn’t. If you’re running physical stores or events of any kind, this feature should already be on your radar—preferably already turned on.

Because let’s be real: customers don’t care why the card reader isn’t working. They just want it to work.

Offline payments make sure you can still say yes to the sale, even when the internet says no.