topic Re: Test view menu while building in Restaurant Operations

Test view menu while building

SmokeyBrian — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 12:39:29 GMT

Hello, I am new to Toast and am currently building a menu for our new restaurant. I think I have figured out modifiers and pre modifiers but would like to look at how it will appear on the terminal, which we don't have yet. Is there a way to see the layout from my PC or do I have to keep building the menu and hope it all works out once the equipment is installed?

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:09:31 GMT

Best thing to do is use an android emulator on PC while setting up menu, especially if you don't have equipment yet. Here is a guide on getting that setup with BlueStacks https://central.toasttab.com/s/article/Bluestacks-Download-Guide

Re: Test view menu while building

SmokeyBrian — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:49:52 GMT

I have bluestacks, so is there a toast app in need to download?

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:55:39 GMT

Yes, just open the browser in BlueStacks and go to toasttab.com/link/apk this will download the toast pos app, then open the app and login with your credentials.

Re: Test view menu while building

SmokeyBrian — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 16:04:43 GMT

That worked, thank you for the help.

Re: Test view menu while building

glcherrick — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:15:50 GMT

Yeah, not supporting BlueStacks anymore. New solutions??

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:10:17 GMT

On a Mac I assume?

Re: Test view menu while building

glcherrick — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:43:54 GMT

No, Windows PC

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:28:33 GMT

Bluestacks is still available for windows, what issue are you having?

Re: Test view menu while building

glcherrick — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:26:15 GMT

Not according to Toast Tech support where they took control of my computer and basically said it was going away and there it was (gone).

Re: Test view menu while building

josh212 — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 05:42:18 GMT

@glcherrick make sure to download Amazon App Store off windows and install the wsa (windows subsystem for android) then download wsa sideloader or any apk loader and add toast to the subsystem. Just make sure under dev options you have minimum width set to 1000 px or greater otherwise it won’t render correctly (also toast requires permissions
display notifications over other apps
location -always
allow toast to install apps from unknown sources
basically allow everythin

If you need help feel free to send a pm

Re: Test view menu while building

glcherrick — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:49:51 GMT

Yeah, Toast needs a simulator to be an interface on the home page that is a simple as a mouse click to start. This is too complicated and unwieldy for the average operator. Most of us are not programmers or geeks in the technical sense. As well, when remote we need to be assured that changes made are complete without having to source an onsite personnel for validation. This can only be done by seeing those changes in practice.

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:04:17 GMT

If you find setting up emulators a little too complicated another option is to get a cheap android tablet and test your changes that way, can find some for under $100 on amazon. (or get a better one one, it's up to you)

Re: Test view menu while building

glcherrick — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:06:00 GMT

How does that work?

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 18:18:28 GMT

You just download the toast app apk from a web browser (like you would on an emulator after getting it set up) and install the app.

Re: Test view menu while building

josh212 — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:09:01 GMT

If do you really wanna make an easy take one of your old old platform tablets because they’re all androids either DoorDash GrubHub etx and just factory reset it and turn it into the Toast tablet. the Pos app is not.functional remotely which is why it's not meant to be used remotely. To enter orders remotely we have catering or online orderinge all accessible outside of the store. Or you could pay pay for additional services and they will complete the menu and screen share

Re: Test view menu while building

escoop — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:38:41 GMT

Is there a way to do this with a Mac computer?

Re: Test view menu while building

josh212 — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 17:49:13 GMT

Depends if you have an intel processor or not. Otherwise either take an old GrubHub tablet or Any cheap android tablet and download it

Re: Test view menu while building

rcmck — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 20:53:37 GMT

If it's a newer non intel mac you can use genymotion, I prefer it either way since you can have multiple virtual devices running at the same time which is good for testing prep stations and KDS setup. See this post https://community.toasttab.com/t5/restaurant-operations/is-there-any-way-to-access-toastpos-from-a-mac-without/m-p/3777

Re: Test view menu while building

TheIdeal_CR — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:41:08 GMT

Why doesn't Toast have a native dummy terminal? My last POS could run a dummy terminal on my computer with the click of a button. It's totally wild that I have to go out into the restaurant and sit down at a terminal with a laptop in order to troubleshoot issues.