> ## 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.

# Pair your devices

> Designate your store's main register, then pair each secondary device — from the backoffice and directly on the iPads.

Each iPad needs to be linked to your store once: that's pairing a device. You
always start by designating **the main register**, then pair the **secondary
devices** one by one. The procedure is the same in restaurant mode and retail
mode.

## Before you start

* Access to the backoffice on a computer.
* The iPad connected to the store Wi-Fi, with the NowOS app installed (see
  [What hardware you need](/en/setup/hardware)).
* An internet connection for setting up the main register.

<Note>
  Publish your menu in the backoffice before pairing secondary devices: until
  the main register has received a published menu, secondary devices can pair
  but have nothing to sell. See [The menu](/en/backoffice/menu).
</Note>

## Designate the main register

The main register is designated from the backoffice, with a one-time token
you scan on the iPad.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate the token in the backoffice">
    Open **Settings → Devices**, then click **Generate claim token**. A QR
    code appears. It is single-use and expires after 5 minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the role on the iPad">
    Open NowOS on the iPad. On the **How should this iPad run?** screen, tap
    **Primary POS**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR code">
    On the **Claim this iPad** screen, tap **Open camera** and point it at
    the QR code shown in the backoffice. Can't scan? In the backoffice, click
    **Can't scan? Show the raw token**, copy the token, and paste it on the
    iPad in the **Or paste the token** field. Then tap **Continue**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the main register">
    Give it a clear name, for example "Front counter iPad". This name shows
    up in the backoffice and on the pairing screen of the other iPads. Tap
    **Claim as Primary**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If the token has expired, simply generate a new one in the backoffice.
</Note>

The iPad becomes the store's main register. For its day-to-day role, see
[The main register](/en/pos/main-register).

## Pair a secondary device

### Recommended method: scan the main register QR

The main register must be on, with the app in the foreground.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Show the code on the main register">
    On the main register, signed in as a manager, open **More → Add a device**
    and tap **Show pairing QR**. A QR code appears with a countdown and an
    8-character code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the role on the new iPad">
    Open NowOS on the new iPad and tap **Secondary device**. This step is
    automatic on iPhone: an iPhone is always a secondary device.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the code">
    On the **Pair this device** screen, tap **Scan QR code**, then point the
    camera at the QR shown on the main register. The QR tells the device which
    register to join, so no network selection is required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the device">
    Check the suggested name and edit it if needed — for example “Dining room
    iPad” — then tap **Pair this device**. The device joins the main register,
    loads the menu, and shows the staff sign-in screen. See [Signing in to the
    register](/en/pos/sign-in).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Without scanning: use the code from the main register

A secondary-device code always comes from the main register. The token
generated in the backoffice is only used to claim a main register; do not use
it here.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Show the code on the main register">
    Open **More → Add a device** and show a QR. Note the 8-character code
    displayed below it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose pairing without scanning">
    On the new device, tap **I can't scan the QR code**, enter the 8-character
    code, and select the main register discovered on Wi-Fi.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Tap **Continue**, name the device, then tap **Pair this device**. If no
    register is found, check the Wi-Fi before using the advanced network
    options.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Check that everything is in place

* **In the backoffice (Settings → Devices):** the page shows the main
  register's status (Online, last sign of life) and the **Paired devices**
  table — each device's name, model, app version, pairing date, last
  activity, and connection state.

* **On the main register:** **More → Add a device** lists paired devices under
  **Paired devices**.

* **On a secondary device:** **More → This device** shows the connection
  state (**Primary reachable: Yes**) and the device identity.

## Unpair a device

Everything happens in the backoffice, on **Settings → Devices**.

* **A secondary device:** click **Release** on its row in the **Paired
  devices** table. The device signs out the next time it syncs; to serve
  again, it must be re-paired on-site.
* **The main register:** click **Release primary**.

<Warning>
  Releasing the main register stops the store immediately: secondary devices
  lose their main register and can no longer take orders. Use **Release
  primary** only to replace or reset the main register, then generate a new
  token to designate it again.
</Warning>