Contact Us

Frequently asked Questions

Basic Summary
Troubleshooting
Glossary

Basic Summary

SoftPOS transforms smartphones and tablets with NFC interface into point-of-sale (POS) terminals. It allows merchants to securely accept contactless payments – including NFC cards and mobile wallets – directly on their devices. SoftPOS eliminates the need for separate card readers. This offers businesses a convenient and flexible payment solution. It’s particularly beneficial for small or mobile enterprises, which can now accept payments anytime, anywhere.

That’s typically all you need, as the NFC-enabled device itself acts as the payment terminal.

Smartphone or Tablet: A device with NFC (Near Field Communication) capability to read contactless cards and mobile wallets.

Internet Connection: Wi-Fi or mobile data to process transactions and communicate with the payment gateway.

Software/App: A compatible SoftPOS application provided by Your payment service provider or acquirer. Usually, users can download from Google Play Store which is an online platform for digital content for Android devices.

To install and run SoftPOS app on your device, the minimum requirements are needed:

  • 64-bit Chipset / Operating System
  • Android Version 9+ (Android 12 recommended)
  • Google Play Services
  • NFC Support

Your payment service provider or acquirer will provide you with your individual contact information for your solution.

·      If you need general help with Rubean PhonePOS solution our support team at support@rubean.com will assist you.

·      If you need help integrating the PhonePOS solution, please contact SDK Integration Support. (sdk-integration-support@rubean.com)

Yes, SoftPOS can be used by small businesses, retailers, service providers, delivery drivers, freelancers, and more. It’s especially popular among businesses that need to accept payments on the go or in environments where traditional POS hardware isn’t practical.
Fees vary by provider and may include setup fees, transaction fees, or monthly service charges. It’s important to check with your SoftPOS provider for details specific to their offerings.
Yes, most SoftPOS solutions support international transactions, but it depends on the payment provider and the currencies they support. Always check with your provider about country-specific capabilities.

Setting up the SoftPOS app on your device typically involves a few straightforward steps, though specifics may vary slightly depending on the app and your device’s operating system. Here’s a general guide that should help you get started:

APK version SETUP:

  • Download/Get “SoftPOS” app with official name from your payment service provider or acquirer account or public on Google Playstore to be downloaded.

  • Tap on the app and then tap “Install”.

  • Initial Setup: Upon opening the app for the first time, you may be prompted to set up your individual account. This typically involves providing some basic information such as your Terminal ID and password. Please refer to your Account Manager from payment service provider or acquirer side for detailed information.

SDK version SETUP:

  • The SoftPOS app is integrated into the Partner’s ECR (Electronic Cash Register) app and is available for download through official channels.

  • To install, simply tap the app icon and select “Install.”

  • Initial Setup: When launching the app for the first time, you’ll be prompted to configure your account by entering the credentials provided under your contractual agreement. For further details, please contact your Account Manager.

Rubean offers a feature of additionally returning the receipt in a format that supports individual branded and designed receipt.
SoftPOS solution is distributed as an SDK & APK to be integrated with various ECR applications & different platforms such as MDM management tool.

There are strong security measures that are placed when using SoftPOS. The Mobile Payments on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (MPoC) standard is a framework developed by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC).

It is designed to facilitate secure mobile payment acceptance using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

Key Features of MPoC:

  • Security: Ensures that mobile devices used for payments are secure, protecting cardholder data and minimizing fraud.

  • Flexibility: Allows various types of payment acceptance methods, including PIN entry and contactless payments, on the same device.

  • Compliance: Helps merchants and payment solution providers meet PCI DSS requirements while using mobile devices.

  • The MPoC standard helps make sure that paying with your smartphone or tablet is as secure as using a traditional card reader.

  • Our MPOC apps require mandatory updates every three months to maintain security and address potential vulnerabilities.

For comprehensive information, resources, and documents related to MPoC, you can visit the PCI Security Standards Council’s official site at: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/

The measurements that need to be taken into consideration are listed below.

·      USB-Debugging must be turned off

·      ADB should be disabled

·      Device must not be rooted

·      Magisk must not be installed

·      Frida must not be installed

No additional hardware is required. SoftPOS operates entirely on your mobile device, eliminating the need for traditional payment terminals or card readers.
SoftPOS is always active in the background, because for security reasons, the app regularly checks at short intervals to see if anything has been changed in the app or the device that could pose a risk. This may slightly increase the power consumption of a device.
A firewall is a useful extension, but it belongs in the hands of a specialist in the event of an error.

For you to help yourself: Make sure that the apps’ access to the Internet is activated in the settings (depending on the device manufacturer).

The app can be installed and activated on several devices. However, when setting up SoftPOS, you will need a terminal ID and an activation code.

The Terminal ID is for a single terminal and therefore cannot be activated in parallel on multiple devices. For each terminal, i.e. for each device, you need an individual terminal ID and an individual activation code.

Contactless payment only works when the card (or phone) is held just a few centimeters from the SoftPOS device. So, it’s almost impossible to pay by accident just by walking past.
No personal details like the customer’s name or address are sent. Only the information needed to process the payment is transferred via the contactless connection.
No.
Neither Rubean nor the payment service provider receives any information about your location.
No.
Your biometric data stays only on your device. Neither Rubean nor the payment service provider has access to it.
For regulatory security reasons, the ‘SoftPOS app requires access to the device’s camera function in order to lock it during the acceptance/payment process. This prevents third parties from being able to take screenshots.

Troubleshooting

Please make sure the security points that are mentioned on the web page are fulfilled to operate SoftPOS app in a secure manner.
Please check if there are any whitespace characters in data field terminal id. There are no Whitespace characters before and after the terminal ID accepted. A regular terminal id is 8 characters/digits long. No space is allowed.
Wrongly inserted Terminal ID or Password or Mismatch of Environment (PROD or TEST) from Terminal ID with SoftPOS App or Terminal does not exist or was not onboarded yet. First, please check if you have entered the Terminal ID and Password correctly without the whitespaces (as explained in the previous answer). If you are sure that credentials are correct, please contact the customer support service of your payment provider or support@rubean.com to conduct further investigation.
The Authentication process has been cancelled and cannot be restarted without customer support. Contact Rubean Customer Support via support@rubean.com
The confirmation link in the authentication process expires after 60 minutes. Please request a new code from your service provider.

Check the following steps:

·      Check Internet Connection: SoftPOS requires an internet connection for transaction processing. Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.

·      Restart the App: Close and reopen the SoftPOS app to resolve temporary issues.

·      Reboot Your Device: Sometimes a device restart can resolve app launch problems.

·      Update the App: Ensure you are using the latest version of the SoftPOS app. Go to the Google Play Store to check for updates.

·      Clear App Cache (Android): If you’re using an Android device, clearing the app’s cache in Settings > Apps > SoftPOS can help.

Our solution supports contactless, NFC-based POS acceptance for the following card brands and e-wallets. But this can also be restricted by your Payment Service provider and/or acquirer, so please also consult with them

·      Apple Pay

·      Diners

·      Discover

·      Girocard

·      Google Pay

·      Maestro

·      Mastercard

·      Pulse

·      Samsung Pay

·      VISA

·      VISA Electron

·      VPAY

The solution itself has no restrictions. Restrictions may come from the payment service provider, acquirer or the payment method/card type used.

·      Limits on transaction amounts, frequency, types of transactions or currency can differ.

·      The payment service provider or acquirer can help here. If a digital wallet is used, it is also advisable to obtain information from the respective provider.

Usually, payments below CVM limit can be completed without entering PIN. Please note that the issuer bank of the card can still request PIN entry even for payments below the CVM limits, as per Strong Customer Authentication rules, unless a digital wallet is used (more on this in the next answer). 

A contactless payment limit, also known as a cardholder verification method (CVM) limit, is the maximum amount your customers can spend with a contactless card before needing to provide a PIN. These limits help protect against fraud and vary by country or can be set by the issuing or acquiring bank. When customers use a digital wallet on their mobile phone for contactless payments, two-factor authentication is usually required, and there is no contactless payment limit.

Example:
Limits for Germany, France, Italy, Spain 50 EUR
Limits for Hungary are: Plastic cards: 15000,00 HUF, Wallet: 999999,99 HUF (e.g. GooglePay)
Limits for Czech Republic 500 CZK
United Kingdom 100 GBP
SoftPOS app is able (has Payment APIs) to handle the following cancellation transaction types: VOID (Reversals), Referenced refunds and Unreferenced Refunds. Exact types available for your version of the application, as well as additional Rules & restrictions should be checked with your payment service provider or acquirer.
SoftPOS does enforce a minimal battery percentage of 10% to start a transaction. This ensures that no transaction is lost due to an empty battery.
This means that the transaction has not been accepted by the card-issuing bank. There may be various reasons for this, which the customer can only enquire about with their card-issuing bank. You can ask your customer for another card (or contact the authorization department of the respective credit card company).
Please make sure to tap / present the card on the NFC field within 40 seconds approximately, otherwise the payment will be terminated automatically with response code 524. For further information on Rubean Payment Response Codes see list under (online link).
No, this is not allowed per mPoC Security guidelines. Overlay detection will terminate the payment immediately with response code 505 or 560. For further information on Rubean Payment Response Codes see list under (online link).
Not all contactless cards and NFC reader antenna work the same and card placement can affect performance. Some cards are just trickier to read than others.
For example:
 
  • Girocard & Mastercard/Visa (Germany) – Some banks issue cards that function as a Girocard (for local payments) and a Mastercard or Visa (for international payments)
  • Retailer Cobranded Cards – Some major retailers or gas stations issue cobranded Girocard-Mastercard/Visa cards, offering special benefits like cashback or discounts.

If a card hasn’t been read, try these steps:

  • First, ask the customer to place their card flat against the reader for a few seconds.
  • If that doesn’t work, they can try sliding the card slightly while keeping the chip centered at the antenna field of the device.
  • In case there is no response/feedback at all, it could have a damaged NFC field or may not support contactless payments.
  • If the card is damaged, try using another NFC-enabled card or payment method.

Check the following steps:

  • Network Issues: Slow or unstable internet can delay transaction processing. Ensure you have a stable connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
  • Reattempt Transaction: If the transaction times out, try restarting the app and reattempting the payment.
  • Payment Processor Delay: Contact your payment processor to check if there’s an issue on their end.
  • Cancel and Retry: If the payment seems stuck, you may need to cancel and retry the transaction, ensuring all details are correctly entered.

This message indicates that the system has detected a potential issue with the device. It could be due to hardware problems, outdated software, or unusual activity.

The mobile device must remain in a secure state. Rooting, ADB debugging, or any methods that compromise security are prohibited. The SoftPOS SDK & APP ensure a secure environment for accepting contactless payments. Processing on devices that do not meet the strict security requirements is halted. Please check if no security compromising processes/methods/permissions are enabled on the device and the application is updated to the latest version. After that please try to:

  • Reboot Your Device, re-start the application and then re-try the payment. This will force-trigger another security check that can confirm if the issue with your device has been resolved.

If these did not help to resolve the issue, please contact the customer support of your Payment Service Provider or support@rubean.com for conducting further investigation.

Check the following steps

  1. Development Best Practices
  • Handle Unknown Status Transactions: If a transaction status is unclear (e.g., timeout or network failure), implement a recovery mechanism to check the actual payment status of “unknown” transaction before trying. Please refer to the online documentation.
  1. Incident Handling
  • Check Transaction History: Review the transaction logs to confirm if a duplicate charge occurred.
  • Wait for Confirmation: Some payments may appear pending in the app but will resolve after a few minutes once processed.
  • Notify Your Payment Processor: If a duplicate charge is confirmed, notify your payment processor immediately to resolve the issue and issue a refund if necessary.
  • Refund the Transaction: If you discover a double charge on your end, you can process a refund through the SoftPOS app or your payment gateway.

Check the following steps:

  • Note the Error Code/Message: Take note of any error codes or messages displayed in the app, as they may provide important information about the issue.
  • Restart the App/Device: Close the app and restart your device.
  • Contact Support: If the error persists, reach out to the customer support team for your SoftPOS solution, providing them with the error details.

Check the following points:

  • If the issue persists after following the troubleshooting steps.
  • If you encounter system outages or failures that prevent you from processing payments.
  • If you have questions regarding your account, merchant profile, or technical limitations.
·      Monitoring status ‘Green’

– There is no problem and transactions are possible.

·      Monitoring status ‘Yellow’ 

– There may be a temporary, non-disruptive problem in the short term.  Transaction are possible.
– A specific behavior has been configured for Android device type. No further action is necessary.

·      Monitoring status ‘Orange’

– There is a temporary problem. Transaction may temporarily not be possible. If the problem is not resolved when you initiate the next transaction, please contact your Customer Service.

·      Monitoring status ‘Dark Orange’ and ‘Red’

– There is a relevant problem and transaction execution is not possible. Please contact your Customer Service.

Glossary

A developer tool that allows an Android device to be controlled from a computer. Must be disabled for PhonePOS usage to ensure security.
A file format used to install Android apps. Some PhonePOS versions can be downloaded as an APK.
The process of verifying a user’s identity, e.g., by entering a password or a one-time password (OTP).
A bank or company that processes card payments for a business, making sure funds move securely from the customer’s bank to the merchant’s account.
Commercially available devices such as smartphones or tablets that can be used for payments with PhonePOS.
A method for verifying cardholder identity during card payments, e.g., by entering a PIN.
A payment method that allows customers to make purchases by tapping their NFC-enabled card or mobile device on a PhonePOS -enabled device. It’s a quick and secure way to process payments without needing physical contact or PIN entry.
An electronic cash register used in stores for payment processing. PhonePOS can be integrated with such systems.
A global standard for credit and debit card payments based on chip technology. PhonePOS solutions may support EMV transactions, particularly for cards with embedded chips or PIN verification.
A system used by organizations to manage, secure, and monitor mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. It helps enforce security policies, deploy apps, and remotely lock or wipe devices if needed.
A digital wallet app (such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) that stores credit or debit card information and allows customers to make contactless payments using their mobile device. PhonePOS can accept payments from mobile wallets.
A security standard that ensures mobile payments via commercially available devices (COTS) are secure.

A technology that enables contactless payments by allowing the chip of a payment card to communicate with a reader over short distances.

A one-time-use code for secure login or authorization.
A technology that securely transmits payment information from the merchant to the payment processor or bank for authorization. In PhonePOS, the payment gateway is responsible for routing transactions and ensuring secure communication.
A company or service that handles the actual transaction process, ensuring the funds are transferred from the customer’s bank to the merchant’s account. The payment processor plays a key role in the PhonePOS payment ecosystem.
A numeric code used to confirm a card payment or login.
A sales location where payments are processed. PhonePOS replaces traditional card readers.
A transaction where the merchant returns funds to a customer after cancelling or reversing a sale. PhonePOS systems often provide functionality to process refunds directly within the app.
A collection of programming tools for integrating PhonePOS into other software applications.
A unique identifier for a payment terminal, necessary for activating PhonePOS.
A security measure requiring two different verification methods (e.g., password and OTP).
A modern smartphone processor that is faster and more powerful than older 32-bit versions. It helps apps run more smoothly and efficiently. Most new devices come with a 64-bit processor.

Almost all new smartphones today come with a 64-bit chipset. Since around 2015, major brands like Samsung, Apple, and Google have switched to 64-bit processors in their devices.

For Android:

  • Nearly 100% of flagship and mid-range phones released in the last 5 years (2020–2025) are 64-bit.
  • Some very low-end budget models (especially in developing markets) might still use 32-bit, but they are rare.

For Apple:

  • 100% of iPhones since 2017 (iPhone 5s and later) are 64-bit.

Empower your Business with seamless Digital Payment Solutions

Explore how our cutting-edge digital payment solutions can transform your business. Whether you need detailed information, want to try our app, or get in touch with us, we‘re here to help you enable secure and easy payments for everyone, everywhere.

For prospects
Rubean brochure
For investors

Company overview

Test the rubean App

Download rubean pay

Rubean AG

Rubean AG is a multinational fintech company based in Munich, Germany, and the leading provider of pure software point-of-sale solutions for banks, acquirers and merchants.

Support
Contact
Kistlerhofstraße 168 – München
Linkedin Twitter