Description: This guide will help you install and run SkyTab POS on a Windows computer using BlueStacks 5. It will also help you set up the BlueStacks multi-instance manager, which allows you to run multiple instances of SkyTab POS.

Download and Install BlueStacks 5
Installing the SkyTab POS APK
Opening the SkyTab POS App for the First Time
BlueStacks Multi-Instance Manager
Internal:
Download the SkyTab POS Demo Scripts

You will need the latest SkyTab POS APK (which you will install within BlueStacks), as well as links to the Demo Scripts for our preconfigured Demo MIDs for Shift4 employees.

This guide will help you install and run SkyTab POS on a Windows computer using BlueStacks 5. It will also help you set up the BlueStacks multi-instance manager, which allows you to run multiple instances of SkyTab POS.

The overall process looks like this:

Install BlueStacks 5 on your computers.
Create a new 'Nougat' instance (the default instance is Pie, which can be used for the KDS demo).
Install SkyTab POS app within BlueStacks Nougat instance.
Run SkyTab POS app and allow permissions.
Note the serial number displayed on the login screen AFTER the error message goes away.
Repeat with any additional instances you create within BlueStacks.

Download and Install BlueStacks 5

Download BlueStacks directly from the official BlueStacks Download Page.
Choose BlueStacks 5 Nougat 32 or 64 bit (makes no difference in performance for SkyTab POS).
Shift4 Employees with IT issued PCs will need to request software installation via the Shift4 Help Center > Help Desk > Applications > Request Software Install.
Note: If you accidentally install the Pie version first, you will need to add an instance in the Multi-Instance Manager and add a Nougat instance for SkyTab POS. Lighthouse will not generate a serial number for your terminal if you run the SkyTab POS app in a Pie instance.
The starting Engine screen will show an ad; do not select “Play Now.”
Select the Settings icon, and change Display Settings to 1280 x 800 at 160 DPI.
Save Changes and select Restart when prompted.
1. (Optional) Change performance settings in Advance in order to set up for multiple instances later. Recommended settings are to set the CPU cores to 2, RAM to 2GB, and performance mode to 'balanced.'

Installing the SkyTab POS APK

Download the latest APK file and save it to your computer.
In Bluestacks, select the Install APK icon and point to the downloaded POS APK file on your computer. The app will install and be visible on the home screen.

Tip: If you need to uninstall the app for any reason, you can do so easily by long-clicking on the app to pull up the option to uninstall.

Opening the SkyTab POS App for the First Time

Select Allow each time prompted for Phone Calls, Photos, and to Record Audio.
Warning: The POS will not initialize properly without these permissions enabled!
Select the toggle to Enable Modify System Settings.
Select the 'recent apps' button (icon with two small app windows) and close the SkyTab POS app by tapping the X at the top right corner of the app.
Launch the SkyTab POS app from the home screen again.
Enable DND access.
Close the app and reopen the POS app again (using the 'recent apps' button).
The POS will try to initialize but will display an error message.
Find the serial number towards the bottom of the screen, under the number pad. Select the serial number five times to open the Settings Menu.
Scroll down to the serial number section and select the Override button.
Enter the serial number that we provided to you and press the Confirm button.
SkyTab will restart and connect to the server.

The SkyTab installation is complete.

BlueStacks Multi-Instance Manager

BlueStacks Multi-Instance Manager allows you to install additional Android instances completely separate from each other. These features allow you to connect to multiple MIDs, switch between them, or run them side by side.

To start using the Multi-Instance Manager, open BlueStacks and select on the multi-instance manager icon on the right. This will bring up the multi-instance manager window.
Rename your current BlueStacks instance (optional). This will make it easier to distinguish between instances.
Select the +Instances button at the bottom of the window.
Choose Fresh Instance when prompted.
Choose either Nougat 32-bit or Nougat 64-bit when prompted.
Choose the following settings in the configuration window:
- CPU cores to Medium (2 Cores)
- Memory allocation to Medium (2GB)
- Resolution to Custom, 1280 x 800
- ABI setting to X86 & ARM
- Performance mode to Balanced
- DPI to 160
Select Create. You'll now have another instance in the manager.
(Optional) Rename the instance to distinguish it from the first.
Select Start to launch the new instance and follow the steps for "Installing the SkyTab POS APK" again (use the download APK button in the BlueStacks menu and find the POS APK that you already downloaded to your computer.)