If a client wants to pay by card at the end of the session, you can take the payment on your own phone — no card reader, no extra hardware. It uses your phone's built-in contactless chip to accept tap-to-pay cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

How it works

Stripe's own free mobile app — the Stripe Dashboard app — has tap-to-pay built in. The client taps their card or phone against the back of your phone, authenticates if needed, and the payment lands in the same Stripe account that's connected to MassageHub. The money is paid out to your bank exactly the same way as online bookings.

We can't put this directly inside MassageHub itself because Apple and Google only allow tap-to-pay inside native phone apps, not in a web app like ours. Stripe's app is the simplest route — and because it's the same Stripe account, you don't need any extra setup.

Setting it up

  1. Install the Stripe Dashboard app on your phone:
  2. Sign in with the same email and password you use for your Stripe account (the one connected to MassageHub).
  3. In the app, tap Payments → Tap to Pay and follow the one-time prompts to enable it.

Stripe charges the same processing fee as online card payments (typically 1.5% + 20p for UK cards). No monthly fee, no separate contract.

Taking a payment after a session

  1. Open the Stripe Dashboard app and tap Tap to Pay.
  2. Enter the amount.
  3. Hold your phone out — the client taps their card, phone, or watch against the back of yours.
  4. The app shows a confirmation when the payment succeeds. You can email or text a receipt from the app.

Recording the payment in MassageHub

Because the payment was taken outside MassageHub, your appointment in MassageHub won't automatically be marked as paid. After taking the payment in the Stripe app:

  1. Open the appointment in your MassageHub calendar.
  2. Choose Mark as paid → Other (or whichever option matches your workflow).

The money itself is already in your Stripe account and will be paid out as normal — this step is just so your income dashboard and client history stay accurate.

When this is most useful

  • Walk-ins at a clinic who didn't book online.
  • Mobile sessions where the client wants to settle up on the doorstep.
  • Pop-up events — see Running a pop-up event for the full walk-in flow.

Alternatives

  • Save card at booking, charge later — the smoothest option for repeat clients. See Setting up Stripe payments.
  • Send a payment link — for clients you booked in manually, MassageHub can text or email them a secure payment link. See Manual booking payments.
  • Physical card reader — Stripe sells a BBPOS WisePad reader (around £59) if you'd rather not use your phone. Set up via Stripe directly; it's not currently integrated into MassageHub.