Set up your terminal

Take the terminal out of the box. Plug it in to power it on — or, if your terminal has a battery, press and hold the power button on the side until the screen lights up. The first time it boots, it will show the Citizen Pay welcome screen.

Tap Connect to Wi-Fi and pick your network from the list. Enter the password and tap Connect. No Wi-Fi at the counter? Turn on your phone's personal hotspot and select it instead — the terminal works the same way.

Your terminal is activated by linking it to one of your locations. A QR code appears on the terminal screen — scan it with your phone. It opens your Citizen Pay account, where you sign in and link the terminal to the location where it will be used. Once it's linked, the terminal is ready to take payments straight into your bank account.

Before you can take payments, choose how you want to get paid — from your Citizen Pay account. Activate Open Banking by linking your bank account and completing a quick identity check (KYC); this is what lets money move straight from your customer's bank into yours. You can also activate payment methods offered by local initiatives in your area. Turn on either, or both.

You're ready. Type the amount on the keypad and tap Charge. A one-time QR code appears on screen. Your customer scans it with their phone camera and approves the payment in their own banking app — with their face, fingerprint or PIN. The money lands in your account in seconds, and you see the confirmation right on the terminal.

The terminal has two modes. Use Normal mode for counter service, where you enter the amount. Switch to Kiosk mode during a rush and let customers pick their own items and pay themselves. Switch between them anytime from the settings menu.