Configure a generic Bluetooth (ESC/POS) printer
Use this guide to print Business App tickets on a generic Bluetooth thermal printer that is not a Star Micronics or Epson model. The Generic (ESC/POS) brand works on iOS and Android, from the ticket preview and with automatic printing.
Saving a printer entry, connecting to the printer, sending a ticket, and receiving paper are separate results. Check each one rather than treating an earlier step as proof that the next one worked.
Accepting an order can change its status and trigger automatic printing. Use a test order, not a real customer order, to check your printer.
Check that your printer is compatible
A generic printer works when it meets all three conditions:
| Requirement | What to look for |
|---|---|
| ESC/POS protocol | The standard command set used by almost all generic thermal ticket printers. Listings usually say "ESC/POS" or "ESC/POS command compatible". |
| Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Bluetooth 4.0 or later | Dual-mode printers (BLE + classic Bluetooth) also work, because the app uses the BLE connection. |
| 58 mm or 80 mm paper | 58 mm prints 32 characters per line; 80 mm prints 48 characters per line. |
If the product listing says it works with iPhone or iOS, it almost always has BLE. iOS does not allow generic printers over classic Bluetooth.
These printers are not supported in this version:
- Printers with classic Bluetooth only (SPP), without BLE.
- Generic printers connected over Wi-Fi, LAN, or USB.
- Printers that do not use ESC/POS, such as label printers (TSPL/ZPL) or mini portable printers that only work with their own app.
Before you start
- Turn the printer on, load paper, and make sure Bluetooth is on in the phone or tablet.
- Disconnect the printer from any other phone or app. The printer accepts only one connection at a time.
- You do not need to pair the printer in the phone's Bluetooth settings. You add it from the Business App.
- Be ready to allow the Bluetooth permission when the app asks:
| Device | Permission the app requests |
|---|---|
| iOS | Bluetooth |
| Android 12 or later | Nearby devices |
| Android 10 and 11 | Location |
Add the printer
- In the Business App, open Profile > Printer Settings, then select Add printer.
- Under Brand, choose Generic (ESC/POS).
- Choose the Paper width that matches your printer: 58 mm or 80 mm.
- Under Connection type, keep Via Bluetooth.
- Select the search icon (magnifying glass). Allow the Bluetooth permission if the app asks for it.
- From the list of nearby devices, select your printer. The app never chooses the first device automatically, so check the name before you select it.
- Optionally edit the Nickname, then select Save Printer.
- Return to Printer Settings and confirm the new entry appears once.
Choose what prints on the ticket
Open Printer Settings > Print settings to choose which details appear on the ticket. You can turn each group on or off:
- Header
- Customer details
- Business details
- Product ingredients, options, and comments
- Totals breakdown and payments
The order number, products, and total always print and cannot be turned off. Empty fields never print.
These settings are saved on each phone or tablet and stay in place after you close the app. The ticket preview uses the same settings, so the preview shows what will print.
Print a ticket
- From the preview: open an order, open the ticket preview, and print.
- Automatically: turn on Automatic printing after accepting the order in Printer Settings. When you accept an order, the ticket prints in the background and you stay on the order screen. The preview does not open, and the ticket prints once.
What to expect on the ticket
- The ticket prints as text only, without logos or images.
- On generic printers, text is centered, uses the full paper width, and has a top margin so the order number is not cut off.
- Long lines break between words, never in the middle of a word.
- Accented letters print without accents (for example, á prints as a and ñ prints as n). Other special symbols print as "?". Generic printers handle these characters differently, so this keeps the ticket consistent on every printer.
- If the printer has a cutter, it cuts the paper at the end of the ticket. If it does not, it only feeds the paper.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A message says Bluetooth is off | Bluetooth is turned off on the device | Turn Bluetooth on and search again |
| A message says the permission was denied | The Bluetooth, Nearby devices, or Location permission was not allowed | Allow the permission for the Business App in the device settings, then search again |
| The printer does not appear in the list | The printer is off, out of range, connected to another phone or app, or only supports classic Bluetooth | Turn the printer on, move closer, disconnect it from other devices, and confirm it supports BLE |
| A message says the device does not accept printing | The selected device is not a compatible printer | Search again and choose the correct printer |
| Letters with accents print without them, or symbols print as "?" | Expected behavior for generic printers | No action needed |
| The ticket prints twice | Printing was started from the preview and from automatic printing | Use one method. With automatic printing on, accept the order and stay on the order screen |
If the problem continues, contact the support team with the printer model, your device and operating system version, and the message you see.