Give an iPad a fixed IP address
Overview
The MainPOS finds each SubPOS and KDS screen by its IP address on your Wi-Fi — the number you enter in SubCashier and KDS settings. Normally the router gives each iPad an address automatically, and that address can change, for example after the router restarts. When it does, the MainPOS can no longer find the device and it shows Disconnected.
To stop that happening, give every SubPOS and KDS iPad a fixed IP address in its Wi-Fi settings. It’s a good idea to do the same on the MainPOS so the whole setup stays stable.
Requirements
- The iPad connected to your restaurant’s Wi-Fi
- An address that no other device on your Wi-Fi uses (see Choose the address)
- A few minutes on each iPad — no app or download is needed
Video
Steps
Note the iPad’s current address
Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the ⓘ next to your restaurant’s Wi-Fi. Under IPv4 Address, write down the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Router shown there — you’ll reuse them.
Choose the address
Pick the fixed address for this iPad. Keep the first three parts the same as the current IP Address and change only the last number — for example, if the iPad shows 192.168.1.37, you could use 192.168.1.201.
Use a number that no other device uses — a high number such as 200–250 is usually free. Give each iPad its own number, and keep a list of which iPad has which address. If you’re not sure, ask whoever set up your Wi-Fi.
Switch Configure IP to Manual
On the same screen, tap Configure IP and choose Manual.
Enter the address
Fill in:
- IP Address — the address you chose.
- Subnet Mask — the one you wrote down (usually
255.255.255.0). - Router — the one you wrote down (usually the same first three parts ending in
.1, such as192.168.1.1).
Then tap Save.
Set the DNS
Go back, tap Configure DNS, and make sure it’s on Automatic. If the iPad can’t reach the internet afterwards, choose Manual and add your Router address to the list.
Update the MainPOS
On the MainPOS, enter the new address for this device — in Settings → SubCashier for a SubPOS, or Settings → KDS for a KDS screen — and connect again. See SubCashier or KDS.
Notes
The fixed address only applies to this Wi-Fi network. If you move the iPad to a different Wi-Fi, set it up again there.
Troubleshooting
No internet after saving? Check that the Router and Subnet Mask match what you wrote down, and that Configure DNS is on Automatic. To undo everything, set Configure IP back to Automatic.
Another device stopped working, or the iPad keeps dropping off the Wi-Fi? Two devices may be using the same address. Choose a different last number on the iPad and update it on the MainPOS.