> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.now-os.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What hardware you need

> iPads, Wi-Fi network, thermal printers, cash drawer: what to have ready before installing NowOS in your store.

NowOS runs on very little hardware: iPads, your Wi-Fi network, one or more
thermal printers, and a cash drawer. This page applies to both restaurant
mode and retail mode; differences are called out along the way.

## The iPads

The register (the NowOS app) runs on iPad. Your store needs:

* **one iPad dedicated as the main register** — it records every order in the
  store, including orders taken on other devices;
* **as many secondary devices as you need** — iPhones or iPads for your staff,
  which connect to the main register.

The main iPad must be able to run **iPadOS 16.4 or later**. Secondary devices
require **iOS or iPadOS 16.4 or later**. An iPhone can be a secondary device,
but never the main register.

A single iPad is enough to get started: the main register is a full register
in its own right.

<Warning>
  The main register must stay **plugged into power at all times**, with **the
  NowOS app open in the foreground**, and **connected to the store Wi-Fi**. If
  it turns off, goes to sleep, or moves to the background, secondary devices can
  no longer save orders.
</Warning>

Set the main register up in a fixed spot — at the counter, for example — and
don't carry it around the floor. Set the iPad so it never locks automatically
(iPad Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock → Never): NowOS already keeps
the foreground screen awake, but this setting remains an extra safeguard during
the pilot. The built-in idle screen automatically lowers brightness after two
minutes.

<Note>
  **Retail mode:** no barcode gun is needed to scan barcodes. The register uses
  the iPad camera.
</Note>

## The network

* **Every device on the same Wi-Fi.** The main register, secondary devices,
  and printers must all be connected to the same store Wi-Fi network.
* **Internet is for the backoffice.** The internet connection lets you
  publish your menu, follow your sales and device status from the
  backoffice, and set up new devices.

<Note>
  **Without internet, the store keeps selling.** Orders and payments go through
  the main register, over the local network. The register simply shows "Offline
  — service continues" and everything syncs back to the backoffice automatically
  when the connection returns.
</Note>

The only blocking failure is the opposite case: if the main register is
unreachable, secondary devices go into degraded mode and can no longer save
orders. See [Connectivity](/en/pos/connectivity) and
[The main register](/en/pos/main-register).

## Thermal printers

NowOS prints receipts (and, in restaurant mode, kitchen tickets) on thermal
printers connected over **Wi-Fi, on the same network as the main register**.
The reference model is the **Epson TM-M30III** (80 mm); 80 mm and 58 mm paper
widths are supported.

<Warning>
  Bluetooth and USB printers are not supported. Choose a printer that connects
  to the network.
</Warning>

Each printer is declared in the backoffice (**Settings → Printers**), with
its name, IP address, MAC address, paper width, and model. Reserve a fixed IP
address for the printer in your router, so it doesn't change over time.

The main register always does the printing, even for an order taken on a
secondary device — so the printer must be reachable from the main register.
To check that a printer responds, open **More → Printers** on the register
and tap **Test print**.

* **Restaurant mode:** plan a printer at the counter for receipts, and a
  printer in the kitchen (or at the bar) for kitchen tickets.
* **Retail mode:** one receipt printer at the counter is enough.

For day-to-day printing details, see
[Receipts and printing](/en/pos/receipts-printing).

## The cash drawer

NowOS manages **one cash drawer per store**, set up next to the main
register. Opening the drawer stays manual (the drawer's key or button): NowOS
does not trigger it to open automatically.

The drawer follows the business day: you enter the opening float at start of
day, and you do the blind count at close of day. See
[Start of day](/en/pos/start-of-day) and
[Close of day](/en/pos/close-of-day).

## The backoffice

The backoffice is a web app: a computer (or a tablet) with a browser is all
you need. That's where you manage the menu, devices, printers, and your
reports. See [Getting started with the backoffice](/en/backoffice/getting-started).

## Checklist

Before moving on to pairing your devices, make sure you have:

1. One iPad dedicated as the main register, plugged in, in a fixed spot.
2. Your secondary iPhones or iPads, charged.
3. A Wi-Fi network that every device and printer is connected to.
4. One or more network thermal printers (Epson TM-M30III recommended), with a
   fixed IP address.
5. A cash drawer next to the main register.
6. A computer with access to the backoffice.

Next step: [Pair your devices](/en/setup/pairing).