A credit card reader or terminal is any device that enables you to insert, swipe, or manually enter credit card information so that you can accept credit and debit card payments. Card readers are typically small card-swipe devices that plug into your iPad, iPhone, or Android device. An external reader is usually a separate, standalone piece of hardware.Most of Shopify's supported card readers accept payment only from credit cards. If you want to accept payments by debit card as well, you must use the Moneris IPP320 (available only in Canada with Shopify POS for iPad), or enable external payments and use an external payment terminal. Your external payment gateway will apply only to your in-person sales with Shopify POS—you can still use Shopify Payments for your online sales.If you want to use a supported card reader, then your store must be based in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, and you need to use a compatible payment gateway. If your store's based outside of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, or if you want to use a payment gateway that isn't compatible, then you can use an external payment terminal to accept card payments.Use the following table to see which payment gateways are compatible with our supported card readers:How helpful was this page?