---
description: Understand Square's APPROVED payment status. Learn why transactions enter this delayed-capture state and how to properly complete or cancel the payment.
title: Square Status APPROVED: Payment Approved
image: https://cdn.smartretry.com/_next/static/media/og-image.0z0q4_5kazzzo.jpeg
---

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Square · Status

# Square Status APPROVED: Payment Approved

The payment is authorized (auth-only/delayed capture). The card is valid and funds are guaranteed by the issuing bank. The seller does not yet receive funds. Must be explicitly completed via CompletePayment or canceled via CancelPayment before the delay window expires.

## What it means

In Square, the APPROVED status signifies a successful card authorization within a delayed-capture flow, not a decline. The card is valid and the issuing bank has guaranteed the funds, placing the transaction in an authorized but pending state. The merchant has not yet captured the funds, meaning the transaction requires explicit completion before settlement can occur.

## Classification & retryability

technicalRetryable: no

## Common causes

* The API integration is explicitly configured with autocomplete set to false to enable delayed capture.
* The payment flow requires a post-authorization adjustment, such as adding a tip or altering the final amount.
* The merchant uses asynchronous fulfillment and waits to capture funds until goods are shipped or services are rendered.
* A Terminal API checkout was initiated with authorization-only settings to allow for in-person staff review before finalizing the charge.

## How to resolve it

To resolve an APPROVED status and finalize the transaction, the integration must explicitly call Square's CompletePayment endpoint within the designated authorization window (typically 36 hours for in-person transactions and 7 days for online payments). If the payment needs to be voided, call the CancelPayment endpoint instead. If left unattended beyond the expiration window, Square will automatically resolve the payment based on the configured delay\_action property. If an authorization is allowed to expire and transition to CANCELED, standard decline-recovery logic can then be triggered to initiate a new authorization.

### For merchants

Monitor for payment.updated webhook events to track status changes. Ensure your order management system does not fulfill goods until the payment transitions from APPROVED to COMPLETED. Adjust your delay\_action settings if you prefer Square to automatically capture (COMPLETE) the payment at the end of the authorization window instead of the default cancellation.

### For customers

No action is required from the customer. The customer will see a pending authorization hold on their bank statement, which will clear once the merchant explicitly captures or cancels the payment.

## Sources

* [Square Developer Docs – Delayed Capture of a Card Payment](https://developer.squareup.com/docs/payments-api/take-payments/card-payments/delayed-capture)
* [Square Developer Docs – Terminal API Additional Payment and Checkout Features](https://developer.squareup.com/docs/terminal-api/additional-payment-checkout-features)
* [Square API Reference – CompletePayment Endpoint](https://developer.squareup.com/reference/square/payments-api/complete-payment)
* [Square Developer Docs – Take Payments (Payment.status)](https://developer.squareup.com/docs/payments-api/take-payments)

---

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