Pairing

Overview

Pairing connects the KDS screen to your POS over the local network so it can start receiving orders. You do this once when the screen is first set up. The KDS reaches the cloud only through the POS, so the two devices must be on the same network.

Watch: pairing the kitchen screen end to end

Requirements

A MainPOS on the same local network as the KDS screen
Recommended: a fixed IP address on the KDS iPad
The KDS configured on the POS — see POS → Settings → KDS
The KDS device’s activation code from Devices in POS Admin

Steps

Open the KDS app

Turn on the screen and open the KDS app. It shows Not Connected with POS and the screen’s IP address (for example IP: 192.168.1.6). Enter this IP address as the screen IP when you add the KDS on the POS in Settings → KDS, then connect.

KDS app waiting for a POS connection — The app waits for the POS to connect.

Enter the activation code

When the POS connects, the KDS Activation screen appears. Type the device’s 6-digit Activation Code from Devices in POS Admin, then tap Activate. The button only becomes available once all 6 digits are entered.

KDS Activation screen with an Activation Code field and Activate button — Enter the device's activation code.

Wait for validation and sync

The POS validates the code with the cloud and sends the initial sync data to the KDS.

KDS receiving the initial sync data — The POS validates the code and sends the initial data.

Confirm the screen is ready

Once the data arrives, the KDS is paired and ready to show orders.

Paired KDS screen ready to receive orders — The KDS is paired and ready.

Notes

Give the KDS iPad a fixed IP address so it doesn’t change after the router restarts — otherwise the MainPOS loses it and shows Disconnected. See Fixed IP Address, which includes a short video.

The KDS never talks to the cloud directly. It reaches the cloud only through the POS, so the POS must be running and on the same network for the screen to stay in sync.

Troubleshooting

Stuck on “Not Connected with POS”? Confirm both devices are on the same local network and that the POS has added this KDS in POS → Settings → KDS using the IP address shown on the KDS screen.

A red message appeared after tapping Activate? It tells you what to fix — for example the device wasn’t found, is inactive, is already activated on another system, there’s no internet on the POS, or the subscription is missing or expired. Tap Hide, fix the issue (or contact support), and try again. If the POS disconnects during activation, the screen goes back to Not Connected with POS.