How to Cancel Square

Cancelling Square is refreshingly simple. Open the app, go to Settings > Account > Deactivate. No phone calls, no letters, no exit fees. It takes about two minutes. We help businesses switch from Square every week, and this is the easiest cancellation of any provider we deal with.

Last updated: April 2026 · Written by the CapExpand switching team

Contract

None

Notice Period

None

Exit Fee

£0

Difficulty

Easy

Method

Via app

Step-by-Step: How to Cancel Square

Let pending payments settle first

Before you do anything, check your Square Dashboard for pending transactions. Wait until every payout has landed in your bank account. This usually takes a day or two. The most common mistake we see is people deactivating before a large payout clears.

Export your sales data and customer list

Go to your Square Dashboard online, head to Reports, and download your transaction history as a CSV. Do the same for your customer directory if you use it. Once the account is closed, this data is gone for good and Square will not retrieve it for you.

Turn off any paid Square add-ons

If you are paying for Square for Restaurants, Retail, or Appointments, cancel those subscriptions first under your billing settings. We have seen people get billed for an extra month because they forgot about an add-on running in the background.

Deactivate in two taps

Open the Square app or Dashboard. Tap Settings > Account > Deactivate Account and confirm. That is it, no call centre, no 30-day notice, no letter to send. Your account closes immediately.

Get your Dojo terminal set up beforehand

The smart move is to have your replacement machine ready before you deactivate Square. We can usually get a Dojo terminal to you within 24-48 hours. That way you go from Square to Dojo with zero downtime, no day without card payments.

What Happens to Your Square Reader

Unlike providers with rental agreements, you own your Square hardware. Here is what to know.

Square Reader (contactless + chip) - yours to keep but will not work without an active account

Square Terminal - yours if purchased, but locked to Square software

Square Stand - yours to keep, iPad can be repurposed

Receipt printer and cash drawer - universal hardware, works with other systems

Any cables and power supplies - keep for the hardware you are retaining

Refund window: If you bought directly from Square in the last 30 days and it is in original condition, you can return for a refund. After 30 days, no returns.

Resale: Square readers have very little resale value since they only work with Square. You can try selling on eBay but expect pennies.

With Dojo: Your Dojo terminal is provided as part of the package. No need to buy separate hardware.

Common Square Cancellation Problems

Pending payout has not arrived after deactivating

If you closed your account before a payout cleared, contact Square support immediately through their website. The money is still owed to you and they are legally required to pay it out. It may take longer than usual as they will need to verify your bank details manually. This is the number one reason we tell people to wait for all payouts first.

Still being charged for Square subscriptions

Deactivating your account does not always cancel paid add-ons like Square for Restaurants or Appointments. Check your bank statement for recurring Square charges. If you spot one, contact Square support and request a refund for any charges after your account closure date.

Lost access to transaction history I need for tax

Unfortunately, once the account is closed, Square will not retrieve your data. If you need records for HMRC, contact Square support and explain it is for tax compliance. They may be able to provide a limited data export, but there is no guarantee. This is why we always say: export everything before you close.

Square froze my funds before I could close

Square is known for holding funds if they flag unusual activity. If your funds are frozen, you need to resolve the hold before you can close the account. Contact Square support, provide whatever verification they need, and be patient. Once the hold is released, wait for the payout to clear, then close the account.

Cancellation Timeline

Square is the fastest cancellation of any provider. Here is the realistic timeline.

Step	Timeframe	What happens
Process final transactions	Day 1	Take your last payments through Square
Wait for payouts to clear	Day 1 to 3	All pending payouts land in your bank (1-3 business days)
Export data	Day 3	Download transaction history, customer list, reports
Cancel paid add-ons	Day 3	Turn off any subscription features in billing settings
Deactivate account	Day 3	Settings > Account > Deactivate. Instant.
Confirmation email	Day 3	You receive email confirming the account is closed

Real Numbers: What Switching Actually Saves

Based on a coffee shop client we switched in March 2026. Figures rounded for privacy.

With Square

Monthly card sales: £15,000

Transaction fees (1.75%): £262

Monthly subscription: £0

Total: £262/month

With Dojo (via CapExpand)

Monthly card sales: £15,000

Transaction fees (1.4%): £210

Monthly package: £20

Total: £230/month

Saving: £32/month (£384/year)

The fee saving is modest, but the real wins are next-day payouts (Square takes 3-5 days), built-in 4G, and a proper receipt printer. No exit fee to pay.

Leaving Square? We will handle the switch to Dojo for you.

Most people leave Square for the same three reasons: slow payouts, no 4G, and support that is hard to reach. Dojo fixes all of them.

Next-day payouts, 7 days a week
Built-in 4G and WiFi
Proper countertop terminal with receipt printer
UK-based phone support
No setup fees

Get a free Dojo quote Call 0333 041 3933

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cancel my Square account?▼

This one is genuinely painless. Open the Square app (or log into your Dashboard), tap Settings > Account > Deactivate Account, and confirm. No phone call, no letter, no awkward retention conversation. The whole thing takes about two minutes. We help people switch from Square every week and nobody has ever had trouble with this step.

Are there any Square exit fees?▼

None at all. Square is pay-as-you-go, no contract, no monthly minimum, no exit fee. You stop using it and that is that. It is one of the few providers where leaving is as easy as signing up.

What happens to my data when I cancel Square?▼

This is the one thing you need to be careful about. Once you deactivate, your transaction history, customer directory, and reports all disappear. We always tell people: download everything first. Go to your Dashboard, export your sales reports and customer list as CSVs, and save them somewhere safe. Square keeps data on their side for regulatory reasons, but you will not be able to access it yourself.

Can I cancel Square within 14 days?▼

There is no need for a cooling-off period because there is no contract. You can cancel Square at any time, whether you have had it for 14 days or 14 years. The only thing to check is that all pending payouts have cleared to your bank account before you deactivate.

Can I keep my Square card reader after cancelling?▼

You can keep the physical reader. You bought it, it is yours. But it becomes a paperweight once the account is closed. Square readers only work with Square, so you cannot repurpose it with another provider. If you are moving to Dojo, the terminal comes as part of the setup so you will not need to buy anything separately.

Can I reactivate my Square account after closing it?▼

No. Once you deactivate your Square account, it is permanently closed. You would need to create a brand new account from scratch if you wanted to use Square again. Make sure you have exported all your data before closing.

Will Square chase me for money after I cancel?▼

No. Since there is no contract and no ongoing commitment, once your account is closed and all transactions are settled, you owe Square nothing. The only scenario where they might contact you is if there is an unresolved chargeback or dispute on a recent transaction.

What is a better alternative to Square for UK businesses?▼

For most of the UK businesses we work with, the answer is Dojo. The big wins over Square are next-day payouts instead of waiting 3-5 days, built-in 4G so you are not dependent on WiFi, and actual UK-based phone support when something goes wrong. We are an authorised Dojo partner and the only card machine we supply. We will get you set up and handle the whole switch.

How long does it take to switch from Square to Dojo?▼

Usually 24 to 48 hours. We get your Dojo terminal delivered, set it up, and test it. Since there is no contract with Square, you can deactivate your Square account the same day your Dojo machine is live. Zero downtime.

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← Back to all cancellation guides

CapExpand is an authorised Dojo partner and exclusively provides Dojo card machines. Other providers mentioned on this page are listed for informational purposes only and are not available through CapExpand. CapExpand is not a financial adviser. Information on this page was last reviewed in April 2026.

How to Cancel Square

Last updated: April 2026 · Written by the CapExpand switching team

Step

Timeframe

What happens

Process final transactions

Day 1

Take your last payments through Square

Wait for payouts to clear

Day 1 to 3

All pending payouts land in your bank (1-3 business days)

Export data

Day 3

Download transaction history, customer list, reports

Cancel paid add-ons

Day 3

Turn off any subscription features in billing settings

Deactivate account

Day 3

Settings > Account > Deactivate. Instant.

Confirmation email

Day 3

You receive email confirming the account is closed