Information in this publication is subject to change without notice and may contain technical inaccuracies
or graphical discrepancies. Changes or improvements made to this product will be updated in the next
publication release. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of MagTek, Inc.
MagTek® is a registered trademark of MagTek, Inc.
MagnePrint® is a registered trademark of MagTek, Inc.
MagneSafe® is a registered trademark of MagTek, Inc.
Magensa™ is a trademark of MagTek, Inc.
AAMVA™ is a trademark of AAMVA.
American Express® and EXPRESSPAY FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS® are registered trademarks of
American Express Marketing & Development Corp.
D-PAYMENT APPLICATION SPECIFICATION® is a registered trademark to Discover Financial
Services CORPORATION
MasterCard® is a registered trademark and PayPass™ and Tap & Go™ are trademarks of MasterCard
International Incorporated.
Visa® and Visa payWave® are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association.
ANSI®, the ANSI logo, and numerous other identifiers containing "ANSI" are registered trademarks,
service marks, and accreditation marks of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
EMV® is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries and an unregistered trademark elsewhere.
The EMV trademark is owned by EMVCo, LLC. The EMVCo Contactless Indicator mark, consisting of
four graduating arcs, is a trademark owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. The EMVCo
Contactless Symbol is a trademark owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC.
ISO® is a registered trademark of the International Organization for Standardization.
PCI Security Standards Council® is a registered trademark of the PCI Security Standards Council, LLC.
UL™ and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC.
Google Play™ store and Android™ platform are trademarks of Google Inc.
Apple®, Apple Pay®, OS X®, iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Air®, iPad Pro®, Lightning®, and Mac® are
trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store® is a service mark of
Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iPad mini™ is a trademark of Apple, Inc. IOS is a
trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used by Apple Inc.
under license. Legal Notice: Use of the Made for Apple badge means that an accessory has been
designed to connect specifically to the Apple product(s) identified in the badge, and has been certified by
the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this
device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Microsoft®, Windows® and .NET® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks, system names, product names, and trade names are the property of their respective
owners.
MagTek warrants that the products sold pursuant to this Agreement will perform in accordance with
MagTek’s published specifications. This warranty shall be provided only for a period of one year from
the date of the shipment of the product from MagTek (the “Warranty Period”). This warranty shall apply
only to the “Buyer” (the original purchaser, unless that entity resells the product as authorized by
MagTek, in which event this warranty shall apply only to the first repurchaser).
During the Warranty Period, should this product fail to conform to MagTek’s specifications, MagTek
will, at its option, repair or replace this product at no additional charge except as set forth below. Repair
parts and replacement products will be furnished on an exchange basis and will be either reconditioned or
new. All replaced parts and products become the property of MagTek. This limited warranty does not
include service to repair damage to the product resulting from accident, disaster, unreasonable use,
misuse, abuse, negligence, or modification of the product not authorized by MagTek. MagTek reserves
the right to examine the alleged defective goods to determine whether the warranty is applicable.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, MagTek specifically disclaims any liability or warranty
for goods resold in other than MagTek’s original packages, and for goods modified, altered, or treated
without authorization by MagTek.
Service may be obtained by delivering the product during the warranty period to MagTek (1710 Apollo
Court, Seal Beach, CA 90740). If this product is delivered by mail or by an equivalent shipping carrier,
the customer agrees to insure the product or assume the risk of loss or damage in transit, to prepay
shipping charges to the warranty service location, and to use the original shipping container or equivalent.
MagTek will return the product, prepaid, via a three (3) day shipping service. A Return Material
Authorization (“RMA”) number must accompany all returns. Buyers may obtain an RMA number by
contacting MagTek Support Services at (888) 624-8350.
EACH BUYER UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS MAGTEK PRODUCT IS
OFFERED AS-IS. MAGTEK MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, AND MAGTEK DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF ANY OTHER
KIND, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IF THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT CONFORM TO MAGTEK’S
SPECIFICATIONS, THE SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED ABOVE. MAGTEK’S LIABILITY, IF ANY,
SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE TOTAL AMOUNT PAID TO MAGTEK
UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. IN NO EVENT WILL MAGTEK BE LIABLE TO
THE BUYER FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST
SAVINGS, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, SUCH PRODUCT,
EVEN IF MAGTEK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE SECTIONS RELATING TO MAGTEK’S LIMITED WARRANTY,
MAGTEK’S LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIMITED TO THE CONTRACT PRICE OF
THIS PRODUCT.
MAGTEK MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT, EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT AS MAY BE STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND MAGTEK
DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
MAGTEK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR CONTINGENT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY. MAGTEK FURTHER LIMITS ITS LIABILITY OF ANY
KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE ON ITS PART, TO THE
CONTRACT PRICE FOR THE GOODS.
MAGTEK’S SOLE LIABILITY AND BUYER’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES ARE STATED IN THIS
SECTION AND IN THE SECTION RELATING TO MAGTEK’S LIMITED WARRANTY.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by MagTek could void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment.
CE STANDARDS
Testing for compliance with CE requirements was performed by an independent laboratory. The unit
under test was found compliant with standards established for Class B devices.
UL/CSA
This product is recognized per UL 60950-1, 2nd Edition, 2011-12-19 (Information Technology
Equipment - Safety - Part 1: General Requirements), CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-07, 2nd Edition, 2011-12 (Information Technology Equipment - Safety - Part 1: General Requirements).
ROHS STATEMENT
When ordered as RoHS compliant, this product meets the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)
Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) European Directive 2002/95/EC. The marking is clearly
recognizable, either as written words like “Pb-free,” “lead-free,” or as another clear symbol ().
FCC Information ................................................................................................................................................ 6
CE STANDARDS ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................. 7
Cafés and restaurants, boutiques and large retailers will benefit from iDynamo 6, the next generation of
MagTek secure card reader authenticators (SCRAs). iDynamo 6 is an SCRA with magnetic stripe, EMV
contact, and EMV / NFC contactless reading capabilities. To use the contactless capabilities, the device
must be powered from a fully-powered USB-C port, or must be fitted with the optional battery pack for
handheld solutions. The removable battery pack gives the flexibility to accept two or three methods of
payment in one compact reader, and to function as a battery-free device if handheld contactless payments
are not required. The versatile mounting bracket included with the device can be used to enhance
mechanical stability with many types of host, including those with iOS, Windows, and Android operating
systems. iDynamo 6 delivers a smart solution for companies that need the most flexibility in the smallest
form factor at a great price.
1.2 Product Features
Payment Methods
• Secure card reader authenticator for:
o Magnetic stripe cards
o EMV chip cards
• Optionally:
o EMV contactless cards
o NFC-capable devices
General
• Different models make several host connection types available, including Lightning plug, USB-C
plug or receptacle, and Micro-USB B plug.
• Made for iPad, iPhone
Security
• Triple DES encryption and DUKPT key management
• Magensa keys come standard
• Custom keys are available
• Dynamic encryption, tokenization, and authentication
iDynamo 6’s universal mounting bracket uses a suction cup design that attaches to the host of your choice
to provide a stable swipe, dip or tap experience.
1.2.2 Compatible with Multiple Operating Systems
iDynamo 6 is very flexible. It works with a large number of host platforms including Android, Windows,
and iOS devices with Lightning or USB connectors. iDynamo 6 has four separate connector
configurations to select from:
• USB-C plug and USB-C receptacle
• Lightning plug and USB-C receptacle
• Micro-USB B plug and USB-C receptacle
• USB-C receptacle only
1.2.3 The Power of Flexibility
iDynamo 6 is a mobile device. The base model does not need an internal battery, which makes it perfect
for in-flight airline use. When the rechargeable battery pack is attached, an LED shows the battery charge
level. Green signals fully charged, amber warns that charging is needed soon, and red indicates a charge
is required before a contactless transaction can occur. The optional battery pack does not interfere with
pass-through charging of the host device.
iDynamo 6 is made for on-the-go transactions, but can easily be built into other holsters and cases for a
custom solution. iDynamo 6 is made from molded black plastic with a rubberized coating to keep the
durability up and fingerprints down. Custom colors are available with a minimum order size.
1.2.4 MagneSafe Security Architecture
iDynamo 6 adheres to MagTek’s MagneSafe Security Architecture based on dynamic encryption,
authentication, and tokenization, which protects cardholder data from the moment of swipe, dip, or tap. It
reads cards, wearables, and mobile wallets.
1.2.5 Magensa Services
Couple iDynamo 6 with Magensa Services to make your certification cycle easier, and remove
unencrypted data from your environment. A service representative will work with you to determine
whether Magensa Decrypt, Magensa Decrypt and Forward, or the Magensa Payment Protection Gateway
is best for you. And as always, MagTek’s developer tools including our royalty-free software developer
kits with APIs are readily available 365/24/7 on our web site. For faster development, you can use our
MagneFlex browser and middleware. Your code can be written once and deployed on multiple operating
systems. The data is unpacked, parsed, and sent to its destination faster and easier.
Figure 1-2 - iDynamo 6 Battery Pack Major Components
Figure 1-3 - iDynamo 6 Mounting Bracket Major Components
1.4 About Terminology
In this document, iDynamo 6 is referred to as the device. It is designed to be connected to a host, which
is a piece of general-purpose electronic equipment which can send commands and data to, and receive
data from, the device. Host types include PC computers/laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Generally, the
host must have software installed that communicates with the device and is capable of processing
transactions. During a transaction, the host and its software interact with the operator, such as a cashier
or bank teller, while the device interacts with the cardholder.
Smooth deployment of an iDynamo 6 solution requires some up-front planning and decision-making:
• Determine the overall functional requirements and desired user experience of the solution
iDynamo 6 will be integrated into. For example, how iDynamo 6 and its host will be physically
presented to the cardholder. This includes whether the solution will be handheld or permanently
mounted in a stand or enclosure, and whether the solution is intended to be used in portrait or
landscape orientation (iDynamo 6 can be used in either orientation). When planning placement, be
sure to consider:
a) Power source availability. For example, permanently mounted solutions should be within
reasonable cabling distance from the power source; handheld solutions need a designated secure
location with charging power available.
b) Ergonomics. For example, make sure there is adequate clearance for operators or cardholders to
easily find the critical components of the device, and to insert, swipe, or tap a card, or to tap a
contactless payment device.
• Determine what documentation and training will be required from solution design through testing
and field deployment. For example, it may be necessary to develop a solution-specific installation
procedure for technicians, and training materials for operators.
• Determine what type of host iDynamo 6 will connect to. Host types include iOS devices, Android
devices, and PCs. See Table 1-1 for a list of available models and their intended hosts.
• Determine what the solution will use as a primary power source. Depending on the model,
iDynamo 6 can be powered by the USB-C receptacle or by the handheld host connection (Lightning
or USB plug). A removable battery pack, available from MagTek (see Table 1-2), is required if you
want to use the device’s contactless functions when the solution is powered by a handheld host.
•If using the battery pack, be sure to include it when ordering, and determine the battery recharge
schedule(s). For example, in high-traffic mission-critical solutions, it may be wise to keep spare
devices configured and charged for fast swap-out.
• Determine how iDynamo 6 will be branded. In large quantities, MagTek can accommodate custom
branding colors and trade dress. Contact a representative for details.
• Determine what software will be installed on the host and how it will be configured. Software can
include operating system, transaction processing software, security software, and so on. Include any
additional support required by the software, such as network connections.
• Determine how iDynamo 6 should be configured, and specify that configuration when you order.
MagTek or your reseller can advise. For deep detail about configuration options and how they affect
device behavior, see D998200324 IDYNAMO 6 PROGRAMMER'S MANUAL (COMMANDS).
• Determine how the solution will be tested and, if appropriate, how it will be certified.
• Determine how the solution will be maintained. See section 4 Maintenance for guidance on
maintaining the iDynamo 6 portion of the solution.
• Determine how the solution will be regularly inspected for tampering, unauthorized added
components such as eavesdropping or skimming devices, and so on. Proper inspection requires
additional solution-specific training, instructions, and visual references.
Installing iDynamo 6 is a straightforward process: The acquirer configures the encryption keys and EMV
terminal / payment brand settings before deployment. End users need only set up a host with appropriate
software, configure the software, and connect the device to the host. This section provides general
information about setting up solutions that incorporate iDynamo 6, including host software, connecting
the device, and mounting the device.
2.1 About Host Software
In any solution, iDynamo 6 is connected to a host, which must have software installed that knows how to
communicate with the device, and which is capable of performing actions intended to be carried out when
a cardholder swipes, inserts, or taps a card or contactless payment device. To set up the host software to
work with iDynamo 6, follow the installation and configuration instructions provided by the vendor of the
host or the host software. For details about developing host software, see section 5 Developing Custom Software.
Some connection types may also require installation of device drivers on the host. To set up any
necessary drivers, see the connection-specific “How To” sections in section 2.5 Connecting to an iOS
Host.
iDynamo 6’s USB-C receptacle only supports charging the host while iDynamo 6 is
when the device is set to use the Lightning connector as its primary host interface.
2.2 How to Use the USB-C Receptacle for Pass-Through Charging
connected. It does not support synchronizing data. To synchronize the host with a
computer, you must disconnect iDynamo 6 and connect the host directly to the computer.
Unlike iDynamo 6 with USB host plugs, iDynamo 6 with Lightning can receive a limited
set of commands via the USB-C receptacle in addition to the Lightning connector, even
iDynamo 6 is equipped with USB-C receptacle which allows the host to continue charging while
iDynamo 6 is connected to the host’s power and data port. This is called pass-through charging.
To set up pass-through charging, follow these steps:
1) Disconnect iDynamo 6 from the host.
2) Verify the charging power source works properly without iDynamo 6 by connecting the host directly
to the power source using the host’s original cable: The power source must be a USB charger sold or
approved by the host’s manufacturer.
3) Make sure the host charges correctly.
4) Disconnect the charging cable from the host and charger and set it aside.
5) Connect iDynamo 6 to the host. See section 2 Installation for details.
6) Connect the charging cable included with iDynamo 6 to the charger.
7) Connect the other end of the cable to iDynamo 6’s USB-C receptacle.
For deeper details about the device’s power systems, see section 3.4 Power Management.
If the solution design includes accepting contactless payments while iDynamo 6 is powered
other operating power from the connected host.
2.3 How to Install the Battery Pack
by a handheld host (that is, not powered through the USB-C receptacle from a highpowered USB-C power source), the device must have the battery pack installed. iDynamo
6 only uses the battery pack to power its on-board contactless reader, and receives all
To install the battery pack, follow these steps:
1) Remove the battery pack contacts cover from the rear of iDynamo 6 (see Figure 1-1).
2) Make sure the electrical contacts on iDynamo 6 and the battery pack are clean (see Figure 1-1).
3) Rotate the battery pack so the contacts line up with the contacts on iDynamo 6.
4) Press the battery pack onto iDynamo 6 until you feel it click into place.
5) iDynamo 6 does not power on when only the battery pack is connected. The device only powers on
when it is connected to a host via the host connector, or to a USB-C power source via the USB-C
receptacle. In some cases, the device remains powered off until the host establishes a logical
connection, in addition to being physically connected.
6) Although the battery pack ships with a partial charge, MagTek recommends fully charging it before
use. For details, see section 3.4.3 How to Charge the Connected Host and Battery Pack.
To remove the battery pack, use your thumb to apply pressure to the iDynamo 6 housing above one of the
battery pack retaining clips, and use your finger to pull out on the retaining clip to release it.
iDynamo 6 provides a universal mounting bracket that can be used to mechanically stabilize its
connection with the host and provide a more secure, integrated feel for cardholders to interact with.
To install the optional mounting bracket, follow these steps:
1) Use a paperclip to slide the small covers out of the mounting bracket retaining holes on each side of
iDynamo 6’s housing. Set them aside for possible future use.
2) Slide the mounting bracket’s retaining clips into iDynamo 6’s retaining holes until you feel them seat
firmly in place.
3) Make sure the mounting bracket suction cup is clean.
4) Make sure the rear surface of the host is clean.
5) After connecting iDynamo 6 to the host (see section 2.5 Connecting to an iOS Host or section 2.6
How to Connect to an Android Host), press the mounting bracket’s suction cup onto the rear
surface of the host.
To uninstall the mounting bracket, reverse the steps above, including re-inserting the retaining hole
covers. The mounting bracket resists slightly when being pulled out of the retaining holes, but is
designed to be removable without damage.
iDynamo 6 connects to an iOS-based host via the Lightning plug or USB-C plug, depending on which
connector the chosen host provides.
2.5.2 How to Connect to an iOS Host Using the Lightning Plug
To connect iDynamo 6 to an iOS host using the Lightning connector for the first time, follow these steps:
1) If you will be using iDynamo 6 to receive contactless payments in handheld mode (not connected to a
USB-C cable), install the battery pack. See section 2.3 How to Install the Battery Pack and make
sure the battery pack is adequately charged.
2) If you will be using the mounting bracket, install it. See section 2.4 How to Install the Mounting Bracket.
3) Power on the iOS host.
4) Plug iDynamo 6 into the host’s Lightning connector. Make sure all components are seated firmly. If
you are using the mounting bracket, press the suction cup onto the rear of the host.
5) After a few seconds, the iOS host will pop up an App Not Installed window. Press the App Store
button to open the App Store and browse through the list of all compatible apps.
6) If the App Not Installed window does not pop up, it is likely an iDynamo 6 or other MagTek device
has been connected to the host in the past and the host already has a compatible app installed. Follow
these steps to install a compatible app manually:
a) On the iOS host, select Settings to open the Settingspage.
7) Install and configure the host software you intend to use with iDynamo 6. If you do not yet have host
software, you can download a test tool from the App Store called
MagTek, Inc. , to perform simple tests.
MagTek Test , published by
8) Make sure the host software is configured to look for the device on the proper connection type.
9) Make sure the host software is configured to look for the correct device.
10) Make sure the host software is configured to properly interpret incoming data from the device.
11) Use the host software or the MagTek Test app to test swiping, inserting, and tapping a card. For
details about reading each payment type, see section 3.5 Card Reading. If you are using the
MagTek Test app, follow these steps:
a) Launch the MagTek Test app on the host.
b) At the bottom of the app, select Lightning EMV .
c) Press the Connect button. If the host successfully connects, the main reporting area of the app
will say Connected….
d) EMV transactions require the device’s clock to be set before processing. The device does not
have a battery-backed clock, so it must be set by the host software. If you are using the
Test app, push the host’s date and time to the device by pressing the Options button and
e) Before testing a swipe, use the app to Send command 580101 to the device and receive
response 0000 to enable the magnetic stripe read head. For convenience, the MagTek Test app
provides an MSR On button that sends this command to the device with a single press.
f) After swipe testing, Send command 580100 to disable it and conserve power.
12) Optionally set up iDynamo 6 for pass-through charging as described in section 2.2 How to Use the USB-C Receptacle for Pass-Through Charging. Specifically in the case of iDynamo 6 with
Lightning, if the USB-C receptacle is cabled to a host computer, that host may also have limited
command / response communication with the device.
To disconnect iDynamo 6 from an iOS host, follow these steps:
1) Make sure all installed apps that use iDynamo 6 are either closed or disconnected.
2) Turn off the host’s display to avoid accidentally launching or interacting with apps.
3) Disconnect the cable from the USB-C receptacle, if one is connected.
4) Carefully disconnect iDynamo 6 by pulling it straight out from the host’s Lightning connector.
2.5.3 How to Connect to an iOS Host Using the USB-C Plug
Details about connecting iDynamo 6 to an iOS-based host using the USB-C plug are slated for release in
a future revision of this manual.
For a host to use the USB-C receptacle to communicate with models of iDynamo 6 that
to use the USB-C receptacle as its primary connection.
2.6 How to Connect to an Android Host
2.6.1 About Connecting to an Android Host
Various models of iDynamo 6 can connect to Android hosts via the USB-C connector, Micro-USB B
connector, or USB-C receptacle, depending on which connector the chosen Android host provides. For
details about connection capabilities of each model of iDynamo 6, see Table 1-1.
2.6.2 How to Connect to an Android Host Using the USB-C Receptacle
provide a USB plug for the host connection, iDynamo 6 must first be explicitly configured
To connect iDynamo 6 to an Android host that supports USB On-The-Go using the USB-C receptacle,
follow these steps (to use the USB-C plug or Micro-USB B plug, see subsequent sections):
1) Make sure you are using a model of iDynamo 6 that supports communication and power through the
USB-C receptacle. Models with Lightning are not designed for this mode of use, and can not draw
operating power from the USB-C receptacle (it is for battery pack / host charging only). See Table 1-1 for details about connection capabilities of each model.
2) Make sure iDynamo 6 is configured to use the USB-C receptacle as its primary connection. If it is
configured to use another connection, use that connection first to change the configuration. For more
information about configuring the device, see section 5 Developing Custom Software.
3) If you will be using iDynamo 6 to receive contactless payments in handheld mode (not connected to a
USB-C cable), install the battery pack. See section 2.3 How to Install the Battery Pack and make
sure the battery pack is adequately charged.
4) If you will be using the mounting bracket, install it. See section 2.4 How to Install the Mounting Bracket.
5) Power on the Android host.
6) On the Android host, install and configure the host software you intend to use with iDynamo 6. If
you do not yet have that software, you can download a test tool from the Google Play store called
MagTek Test , published by MagTek, Inc.
7) Connect a cable between iDynamo 6’s USB-C receptacle and the host’s USB connector. Make sure
all components are seated firmly.
8) Use the host software or the MagTek Test app to connect to the device and to test swiping, inserting,
and tapping a card. For details about reading each payment type, see section 3.5 Card Reading.
During operation, iDynamo 6 transitions between distinct modes, each of which behaves differently:
•Powered Off Mode is the shipping mode of the device. The device enters this mode when it is not
receiving power from a host or from the USB-C receptacle, even if the battery pack is connected.
Receiving power from the host may require establishing a logical connection (such as an iAP2
session) in addition to the physical connection. When powered off, the device consumes no power
even if the battery pack is connected. To move the device from Powered Off Mode to Standby Mode,
connect the device’s USB-C receptacle to a fully-powered USB charger. To move the device from
Powered Off Mode to Connected Mode, use the host software to establish a connection. iDynamo 6
with Lightning connector also transitions to Connected Mode when a USB host establishes a logical
connection through the USB-C receptacle.
•Standby Mode is an intermediate state the device enters when it is receiving power (such as when it
is physically connected to a USB charger via the USB-C receptacle, but is not logically connected to
a host). In this mode, the device remains inactive and appears powered off, but recharges any
attached battery pack or host. To progress from Standby Mode to Connected Mode, establish a
logical connection with a host (for example, establish an iAP2 session with an iOS host).
•Connected Mode occurs when the host is providing power to iDynamo 6 and has established a
logical connection (such as an iAP2 session). In this mode, the host and the device can both initiate
communication. It is the host’s responsibility to terminate the session and send the device into Power
Off Mode to save host power when an active data connection is no longer needed.
If the device has no battery pack connected, it is
host software to connect.
The battery pack is charging and its charge level is
“not charging” indicator when full.
A cardholder’s card is currently swiping in the
not yet been completely decoded by the device.
3.2 About the General Status LED
iDynamo 6’s General Status LED (see section 1.3 About iDynamo 6 Components), provides feedback
to the operator and cardholder about the internal state of the device . Table 3-1 shows how to interpret
the flashing patterns of the General Status LED.
Table 3-1 - iDynamo 6 General Status LED Meanings
Off Off
Green Solid
Green Solid
Amber Solid
Red Solid
Red Slow blink
Amber Slow blink
The device is not connected to a host and is not
receiving power.
receiving power from the host, and is ready for the
If a battery pack is connected, the battery pack is
not charging and its charge level is good.
The battery pack is not charging and its charge
level is fair. Charge when possible.
The battery pack is not charging and its charge
level is low. Charge immediately.
The battery pack is charging and its charge level is
low. Continue charging.
The battery pack is charging and its charge level is
fair. Continue charging if possible.
high. Continue charging if desired. Transitions to
card path, or has just exited the card path but has
Device has successfully read a swiped card.
Device could not read a swiped card.
Host is loading firmware onto the device.
Page 29 of 41 (D998200321-20)
3 - Operation
3.3 About Sounds
iDynamo 6’s beeper provides feedback to operators and cardholders about the internal state of the device:
• The device sounds one short beep after it has successfully read a contactless tap, and the cardholder
can safely remove the card or device from the contactless landing zone.
• The device sounds two beeps when an operator cancels a pending EMV transaction.
iDynamo 6 models with Lightning do NOT use power from the USB-C receptacle for
iDynamo 6 does not power on if it is only receiving power from the USB-C receptacle.
3.4 Power Management
operating power; the USB-C receptacle only provides power to charge the iOS host and
the battery pack. Operating power for iDynamo 6 MUST come from the Lightning plug.
3.4.1 About Power
iDynamo 6’s optional battery pack incorporates a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which requires very
little maintenance. It is not subject to “charge memory” and therefore does not require deep discharge
cycles to restore its charge capacity like many other battery technologies.
When properly powered through the USB-C receptacle, iDynamo 6 recharges the battery pack, powers
any connected host through the Lightning, USB-C, or Micro-USB B plug, and waits for the host to make
a logical connection before powering on (see section 3.4.3 How to Charge the Connected Host and Battery Pack). While charging the battery pack and/or the host, the device consumes more power from
the USB power source than when the battery pack and host are fully charged. The device stops charging
the battery pack when it determines it is optimally full, to prevent overcharging.
When used in handheld solutions (that is, when not using a model that implements only the USB-C
receptacle for host communication and for power), the device draws power from the connected host to
power all operations except the integrated contactless reader. To save power, the host must logically
disconnect from the device. The methods for the host to stop powering the device vary between operating
systems and connection types, and are outside the scope of this manual. The host software may also send
commands to control some device features directly to save power, such as turning off the magnetic stripe
reader when it is not in use (see section 5 Developing Custom Software).
For details about the device’s behavior in its various power modes, see section 3.1 About Operating Modes. For information about checking battery levels, recharging the battery pack and connected host,
powering the device on and off, and forcing the device to reset, see the following sections.
The removable battery pack is designed to last hundreds of charging cycles, but with time and / or with
use, its charge capacity will naturally degrade. To maintain the battery pack’s charge capacity as much as
possible, follow these guidelines:
• Do not discharge the battery pack to 0%. Full discharge shortens the battery life.
• When possible, plan to recharge the battery pack well before it is fully depleted.
• Store the battery pack at the lowest reasonable temperatures within the device’s specified storage
temperature range (see Appendix A Technical Specifications; below 77°F / 25°C is optimal).
Temperature is the most critical factor in extending battery life.
• Store the battery pack charged to less than 100% (40% is optimal).
To avoid possible damage to the host or the device, only use a USB power adapter
for iOS devices, use only chargers sold by or approved by Apple.
3.4.2 How to Check Battery Level
To check the charge level of the battery pack, make sure the device is connected to the host and look at
the General Status LED (see section 3.2 About the General Status LED).
Custom host software may also query the device and show its current charge level on the host display at
all times for convenience. For details, see section 5 Developing Custom Software.
3.4.3 How to Charge the Connected Host and Battery Pack
designed for the host you are using, and the cable included with iDynamo 6. For example,
Recharge the connected host and the iDynamo 6 battery pack (if it is installed for handheld contactless
transactions) when either the host or the battery pack reports it is low on charge. Use the included USB-C
cable to connect iDynamo 6 to a charger that is sold by or approved by the manufacturer of the host you
are using. See section 2.2 How to Use the USB-C Receptacle for Pass-Through Charging. A full
recharge cycle for a completely drained battery pack, regardless of whether iDynamo 6 is also charging a
connected host, takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
3.4.4 How to Power On / Power Off
In Powered Off mode (General Status LED is off) power on the device by connecting it to a host and
establishing a logical connection using the host software. In response, the device lights the General Status
LED and transitions to Connected Mode. For details, see section 3.1 About Operating Modes and
section 3.2 About the General Status LED.
To power off the device, close the logical connection using the host software, or physically disconnect
iDynamo 6 from the host following the uninstall steps described in section 2 Installation.
3.4.5 How to Force Reset
To force the device to reset, power it off by completely disconnecting it from the host and USB power.
Even if the battery pack is connected, the device powers off completely when disconnected.
If the solution design includes accepting contactless payments while iDynamo 6 is powered
other operating power from the connected host.
3.5 Card Reading
by a handheld host (that is, not powered through the USB-C receptacle from a highpowered USB-C power source), the device must have the battery pack installed. iDynamo
6 only uses the battery pack to power its on-board contactless reader, and receives all
3.5.1 About Reading Cards
The steps for starting a transaction and reading a card or contactless payment device are different
depending on iDynamo 6’s configuration and on the design of the host software. Host software
developers should see section 5 Developing Custom Software for implementation references. The
solution developer should provide solution-specific instructions for operators to follow. A transaction
generally follows this essential flow:
1) If the device will be used to accept contactless transactions while handheld, the operator makes sure
the battery pack is installed and charged.
2) The operator makes sure iDynamo 6 is configured properly and is connected to the host (see section 2 Installation).
3) The operator uses the host user interface to finalize a transaction amount, then initiates a transaction.
4) The host communicates with the device, and reports to the operator when the device is ready.
5) The operator makes sure iDynamo 6 is receiving power from the host and has powered itself on.
When the device is powered via the USB-C receptacle (only possible on models without a host plug),
the host may always keep a connection open to the device. When the device is not powered via the
USB-C receptacle, the host generally opens a session with the device to process a transaction, then
closes the session after the transaction is complete to power off the device and conserve power.
6) The operator guides the cardholder in presenting payment.
7) The cardholder interacts with the device to present payment. The following sections provide
additional details about presenting each of the available payment methods.
8) Because the device does not have its own display, the device may send messages to the host
prompting the cardholder to perform certain actions; the host software should process these requests
by displaying the requested messages, and depending on the placement of the host display(s), the
operator may need to relay the messages to the cardholder. For example:
a) If the device can not read the card, it may prompt the cardholder to swipe, insert, or tap again.
b) If the device repeatedly can not read a chip card, it may prompt the cardholder to use the
magnetic stripe reader instead of the chip card slot. This is known as EMV fallback.
9) The device reports the success or failure of the transaction to the host, which should report the results
to the operator.
Cardholders should swipe magnetic stripe cards in the MSR swipe path with the magnetic stripe facing
away from the cardholder and into the device, as shown in Figure 3-1. Cardholders may swipe in either
direction along the path.
If the solution design includes accepting contactless payments while iDynamo 6 is powered
other operating power from the connected host.
3.5.4 How to Tap Contactless Cards / Devices
by a handheld host (that is, not powered through the USB-C receptacle from a highpowered USB-C power source), the device must have the battery pack installed. iDynamo
6 only uses the battery pack to power its on-board contactless reader, and receives all
To tap a contactless card or electronic payment device, cardholders should do the following:
1) If the cardholder is using an electronic payment device, such as a smartphone, make sure the payment
device has
see the documentation provided by the smartphone manufacturer and payment app publisher.
2) Wait until the host software indicates it is ready for a tap.
3) Tap the card or electronic payment device on the contactless landing zone, indicated by the EMVCo
Contactless Indicator on the device’s face (see Figure 3-3). The card or device must be centered over
the contactless landing zone.
4) Wait for the device to beep. The host software may also display progress showing whether the tap
succeeded or failed. Because each smartphone model may have its NFC antenna placed differently,
the ideal tap position may vary by make and model. For example, Samsung users may need to center
the phone on the contactless landing zone, while iPhone users may need to tap the top of the phone on
the contactless landing zone.
5) Remove the card or electronic payment device from the contactless landing zone.
NFC turned On and has a payment app configured to process transactions. For details,
Figure 3-3 - Tapping a Contactless Card On iDynamo 6
To avoid damaging the read head, only clean the card path with approved cleaning cards.
DO NOT use liquid cleaning products or insert any other objects into the device.
4 Maintenance
Periodic cleaning of iDynamo 6’s exterior may be required. To clean the outside of iDynamo 6, wipe it
down with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth and then wipe it dry.
MagTek’s double-sided cleaning card 96700004 is designed to clean the magnetic read head in the MSR
swipe path and the contact pins inside all chip card contact readers. Keeping both of these components
clean is essential to the device’s functioning. MagTek recommends swiping and inserting a cleaning card
once per week to avoid credit card misreads.
Custom host software uses the same underlying device command set for all iDynamo 6 connection types
(Lightning and the various USB form factors). The device commands are wrapped differently depending
on the physical connection type and the device’s configuration. The following sections provide highlevel information about communicating with the device via the various physical connection types in
various software development frameworks, and provide pointers to available SDKs, which include sample
code. All product documentation and SDKs are available for download by searching for the product
name on www.magtek.com
Developers of custom host software that implements contactless transactions should refer to EMV Contactless Specifications for Payment Systems, Book A, Architecture and General Requirements
for user interface requirements that may need to be met by the host software. For example, because
iDynamo 6 has a single General Status LED and does not have a display, the
demonstrates using the host’s display to emulate the standard four-LED contactless tap sequence.
5.1 Lightning-Based Custom Software
MagTek produces software development kits (SDKs) with API libraries that provide higher-level
functions wrapped around Lightning communication protocols. These libraries simplify the development
of custom host software that interfaces with iDynamo 6. See 99510111 SOFTWARE, SDK,
In addition to MagTek’s SDKs, custom host software can communicate directly with the device using
Apple’s ExternalAccessory Framework, with sample code available in the form of Apple’s EADemo
app. For details, see Apple Developer Documentation and D998200324 IDYNAMO 6 PROGRAMMER'S MANUAL (COMMANDS).
and navigating to the Support tab.
MagTek Demo app
5.2 USB-Based Custom Software
MagTek produces software development kits (SDKs) with API libraries that provide higher-level
functions wrapped around USB HID communication protocols. These libraries simplify the development
of custom host software that interfaces with iDynamo 6. See:
In addition to MagTek’s SDKs, custom software on any operating system can communicate directly with
the device using the operating system’s native USB libraries and protocols. For details, see D998200324 IDYNAMO 6 PROGRAMMER'S MANUAL (COMMANDS).
5.3 For More Information
For more information about developing custom host software that integrates with iDynamo 6, see the
MagTek website or contact your reseller or MagTek Support Services.
Identification Cards Financial Transaction Cards (ISO 7813)
Universal Serial Bus Specification 2.0, compatible with 1.1
Physical Characteristics
iDynamo 6:
2.8 in. (72.72 mm) x 2.24 in. (57.8 mm) x 1.3 in. (33.0 mm)
iDynamo 6: 0.90 oz. (25.4g)
Battery pack: 1.68 oz. (47.6g)
Supported Mounting Options
Direct to handheld host
Card Read Characteristics
Bidirectional 3 track encrypting IntelliHead magnetic stripe reader
(MSR) with MagnePrint
Financial (ISO Type B), AAMVA, or Other
ISO 7810, 7811
Acceptable Swipe Speeds
4 inches per second to 60 inches per second
EMVCo L1 and L2 Contact Reader
Terminal type 21 and 24 without ODA
EMVCo L1 and L2 Contactless Reader
D-PAS, MCL, payWave, Expresspay, Apple Pay, RFID, FeliCa
User Interface Characteristics
Status Indicators
General Status LED (Red/Green/Blue/Amber)
Display Type
Not Applicable
Appendix A Technical Specifications
AAMVA
ISO/IEC 14443 Type A and Type B
EMV ICC Specifications for Payment Systems Ver 4.3, L1 Contact and L2 Contact
Encryption: TDEA (3DES)-CBC using DUKPT
MFi certification requirements
MasterCard TQM Label Certified
FCC Title 47 Part 15 Class B
CE Level B EMC
UR/CUR UL Recognized
California Proposition 65 (California)
EU Directive Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
EU Directive Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
2.75 in. (70 mm) x 2.1 in. (53.9 mm) x 0.73 in. (18.75 mm)