What is Tap to Pay?
Tap to Pay lets your team accept contactless payments directly from a phone or tablet using the BidKit Payments app. No card reader, no cords, and no extra equipment needed. Your guest simply taps their card or phone to your device and the payment uploading is done in seconds.
Compatible Payment Methods
- All major credit/debit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
- Digital Wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay
💡Tap to Pay works on both Android and iOS devices through the BidKid Payments app. It uses NFC (Near Field Communication), which is what lets your phone communicate wirelessly at close range. Most modern smartphones support NFC, but older or budget devices may not. Before getting started, make sure NFC is enabled on your device. If Tap to Pay isn't working, this is the first thing to check.
Set Up Requirements
- The BidKit Payments mobile app is installed on an iOS or Android device only.
- Laptops and Desktop computers are not supported.
- An internet connection to process payments
What is the Stripe M2 Card Reader? (Optional)
The M2 is a compact, battery-powered Bluetooth card reader made by Stripe. It pairs with the BidKit Payments app on iOS or Android and gives your team the ability to accept tap, chip, and swipe payments from a single dedicated device. It is about the size of a deck of cards and weighs just under 3 ounces, making it easy to carry during an event.
Transaction Types on the M2 Card Reader
- Tap to Pay for physical cards, contactless cards and digital wallets
- Chip cards (EMV)
- Magnetic stripe swipe
How Do I Purchase a M2 Card Reader?
M2 Card Readers are available for purchase directly through Stripe for an individual price of $59 + shipping & tax (where applicable). You will be able to purchase the device in the software under Software Settings>Auction Settings>Payment Settings. The date for this is coming soon.
M2 Card Reader Specifications
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| Compatible devices | iOS and Android only |
| Battery life | Up to 28 hours of active use |
| Standby time | Up to 42 hours |
| Charge time | Approximately 2 hours |
| Charging connection | USB-C |
| Weight | 85g (approximately 3 oz) |
| Security | End-to-end encryption, P2PE ready |
| Availability | United States only |
⚠️ Charge your M2 reader fully before your event day and check the battery level before your event starts. If you have more than one M2 reader, make sure the serial number on the back of the reader matches the one you are pairing with in the BidKit Payments app.
Download the BidKit Payments app and pair the M2 to your device ahead of time so you know everything is working, you don't want to be troubleshooting at the door.
How is my payment data protected?
With both Tap to Pay and the M2 card reader, payment data is encrypted the moment a card is tapped or inserted and sent directly to Stripe. It never passes through your phone, your tablet, or ClickBid's software. Your guests' card information is never visible to you, your staff, or ClickBid. Tap to Pay and the M2 card reader are PCI Compliant and data is handled with leading security measures.
⚠️The M2 reader supports tap, chip, and swipe payments on both iPads and Android tablets. Keep in mind that the Tap to Pay option (using your device directly as the reader, without the M2) is only available on phones, not tablets, since most tablets do not support the NFC technology that Tap to Pay requires.
Which option is right for my team?
Both options work great. The right choice depends on how your team operates at events.
| Tap to Pay (via App) | M2 Card Reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Extra hardware needed | Mobile Phones (iOS or Android) | M2 card reader (purchase required) & Mobile Phones Using Andriod or iOS, Tablets (Android), iPads device (iOS) with App. |
| Accepts contactless/tap | Yes- Mobile phones using Android & iOS | Yes- Mobile Phones using Android & iOS, Tablets using Android, & iPads |
| Accepts chip cards | No | Yes |
| Accepts swipe | No | Yes |
| Best For | Teams that want zero extra hardware and guests who primarily use contactless payments | Teams that want to accept every card type and want a dedicated payment device |
| Can be used in US, Canada, & Australia? | Yes | No-United States Only. |
📱 Compatible Devices for the M2 Card Reader
The M2 card reader connects to your device over Bluetooth and handles all payment processing on its own, so your phone or tablet just needs to run the BidKit Payments app.
iPads Any iPad running iPadOS 17 or later is compatible. This includes the iPad Air (M3 or later), iPad Mini (6th generation or later), iPad Pro (M3 or later), and standard iPad (10th generation or later).
Android Tablets Any Android tablet running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later works with the M2 reader. This includes popular options like the Samsung Galaxy Tab series and Google Pixel Tablet.
ℹ️ Not sure which version your device is running? Check your device settings under General > About (iPad) or Settings > About Phone (Android) to confirm your operating system version.
🚨 The screenshots below show what the Tap to Pay process looks like on a mobile device using Android or iOS. Note that button labels and design elements are subject to change as the feature is finalized.
Getting Started ( Not available until July 20, 2026)
- Download the ClickBid Butler app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store for your device.
- Open the app and log in. The login screen looks identical to the browser-based Butler tool.
Pairing a Card Reader
- From the Butler main screen, locate the Card Reader field, this is where you pair or switch your reader.
- Tap Connect Icon to open the reader selection screen.
- Choose one of the following options:
- M2 Reader, select this if you are using a physical M2 card reader device. (Android mobile phone/tablet, or iPhone/iPad) Tap, Chip, swipe card.
- This Device (Tap to Pay), select this to use your Android or iOS phone directly as the payment device.
Adding a Card or Processing payment
- Once your device is paired, you are ready to add a card or process payment.
- To add a new card, simply tap the card against the paired device:
- If using Tap to Pay on your phone, the guest taps their card directly on the phone.
- If using an M2 Reader, the guest taps or swipes their card on the physical reader.
How do I get started?
More information will be available closer to the release date, July 20th.