How to connect your mobile phone as a payment device through the WriteUpp Pay app (Stripe Unified)

The WriteUpp Pay app allows you to use your mobile phone (or tablet) as a payment device to take contactless (Tap to Pay) card payments, with no separate card reader required.

Once connected, your phone will appear as a payment reader in WriteUpp and can be used to take secure payments through Stripe Unified, initiated from either the app itself or from desktop.

What you’ll need before you start

Before connecting your phone, make sure that:

You have access to your WriteUpp account and your login details.
Your site has Stripe Unified connected in WriteUpp. If you are currently on a Stripe Standard connection, then you will need to switch to Stripe Unified before continuing.
You have at least one location set up in Stripe that can be used for card readers. Click here to learn how to manage locations in Stripe.
You have a compatible mobile device that supports NFC (Near Field Communication)
NOTE: If your device does not support NFC for Tap to Pay (which is common for tablets), you can still take in-person payments by connecting a WisePad 3 reader through the WriteUpp Pay app using Bluetooth [link].
NFC is enabled in your phone’s system settings (if available)

Step 1: Log into the WriteUpp Pay app

1. Download and open the WriteUpp Pay app on your mobile phone or tablet device (available on IOS and Android]

2. Log in using your WriteUpp email address and password. Note: On IOS, you must accept the Terms of use to be able to log in.

When prompted, you must allow location permissions to continue. Location access is required for payments to work.

3. Once logged in, you’ll see your Stripe location details:

Note: If you have more than one location set up in Stripe, you can choose which location to attach the Tap to Pay phone device to.

If an error occurs at this stage preventing you from continuing, please check that you have at least one location set up in Stripe that can be used for card readers. Without this, payments cannot be processed. Click here to learn how to manage locations in Stripe.

Step 2: Register your phone as a payment device

1. Once you are happy with the Stripe location details, tap Confirm & Register in the app

2. The app will run an eligibility check, confirming that:

Stripe Unified is connected to your WriteUpp account
Your phone has Bluetooth enabled - only necessary if you are also connecting the Wisepad 3
NFC is available and switched on

If NFC is disabled, you will need to turn it on in your phone’s settings before continuing. If your device does not support NFC for Tap to Pay (which is common for tablets), you can still take in-person payments by connecting a WisePad 3 reader through the WriteUpp Pay app using Bluetooth.

3. Once all necessary checks pass, the Start Taking Payments button will become available. Tap it.

Your phone is now registered as a payment device!

Step 3: Confirm your phone is connected in WriteUpp (Desktop)

To verify the connection:

1. Log in to WriteUpp on desktop

2. Go to Main Menu → Integrations & Add-Ons → Stripe

3. Click Configure

4. Your mobile phone will now appear in the list of connected readers on the Stripe integration screen:

Your phone will appear in the reader table as “[Username] – [device and model]”. You can edit this name to make it easier to recognise by clicking the pencil icon next to it and entering a new name.

Taking payments using the Payments app

Once registered, the WriteUpp Pay app will show a list of unpaid appointments and/or invoices for the day linked to your WriteUpp account.

From here, you can:

Select to take payment for an unpaid appointment/invoice from within the app
Take a contactless payment directly on your phone

How to take payment for an appointment directly through the WriteUpp Pay app

You can also initiate payments from the desktop version of WriteUpp and complete them on your mobile device:

Stripe reader: Taking payment via the appointment modal

Stripe reader: Taking payment from the invoice

Stripe reader: Taking part payments

This gives you flexibility to take payments whether you’re on the go or working from your computer.

Troubleshooting tips

If you’re unable to register your phone:

Check that Stripe Unified is fully connected in WriteUpp
Check that you have at least one location set up in Stripe that can be used for card readers. Click here to learn how to manage locations in Stripe.
Make sure the WriteUpp Pay app has permission to access your location. If you’re unsure, check your phone’s settings to confirm location access is enabled.
Make sure NFC is enabled in your phone’s settings. If NFC is not supported, then Bluetooth must be enabled in the device settings to connect a WisePad 3 reader instead.