Card Readers for Mobile Phones and Tablets
card readers for mobile phones and tablets are mainly divided into two categories: those for payment purposes (POS) and those for pure data reading (data collection). Since most modern mobile devices have eliminated the 3.5mm headphone jack, the connection interface has shifted to USB-C or Lightning.
1. Professional Payment Devices (Suitable for Retail and Food Service)
If you need to use your mobile phone to swipe credit cards, these devices usually require a specific payment platform app:
Reader for Magstripe:
Interface: Available in Lightning and USB-C versions.
Features: Very compact size; simply insert it under your phone to swipe cards. It does not require charging and is powered directly by the phone.
Note: Only supports swipe cards. For chip cards or contactless payments, an advanced version is required.
Supports three-in-one reading (tape, chip, NFC), connects to mobile phones and tablets via Bluetooth, suitable for more comprehensive payment scenarios.
2. Data Reading (For Membership Cards, Identity Recognition)
If your purpose is to read membership card numbers or for system development, you can choose a general-purpose hardware module:
MSR1300M (Action Plus): Specifically designed for mobile phones and tablets, using a USB Type-C interface.
Compatibility: Supports Android phones/tablets, iPhone (15 series or later), and iPad Pro.
3. Purchasing Guide
Before purchasing, please confirm the following three points:
Interface Compatibility:
iPhone 15 and later / Android: Select USB-C interface.
Older iPhones / iPads: Select Lightning interface.
3.5mm Headphone Jack: Suitable for older devices or those with an adapter.
Functional Requirements:
Keyboard Emulation (HID): After inserting the card and swiping, the card number will be automatically entered at the cursor position (like in Excel or Notepad).
Encryption Requirements: For payment purposes, a device with encryption technology (such as Square or SumUp) must be selected to protect personal data.
Is OTG required? Android devices typically require OTG (On-The-Go) to be enabled to drive external card readers.
MSR1300M Mobile Magnetic card reader USB Type C
Support iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro
Support Android mobile phone, Android Tablet
Support Windows Surface, Windows Surface Book