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What is NFC?

 

               NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication technology that allows the exchange of data between devices that are very close to each other, usually within 4 centimeters. It operates on a high-frequency (13.56 MHz) band and allows devices like smartphones, tablets, NFC tags, and contactless cards to communicate wirelessly.

Common Uses of NFC

 

  • Contactless payments:   Popularized by apps like Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.

  • Data transfer: Share files, contacts, or other information between devices.

  • Access control: Smart locks, public transport passes, etc.

  • Smart marketing: NFC-enabled business cards and posters that trigger a webpage, video, or app when scanned.

  • Inventory management: Used in warehouses and supply chains.

How NFC Works?

 

           NFC is an extension of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). It works by using electromagnetic induction between two devices:

 

Active device: Generates a magnetic field that powers the passive device.

Passive device (Tag): Does not require a power source and uses the active device's magnetic field to operate.

Enabling NFC on Android Devices

Most Android devices support NFC, but it might not always be enabled by default. Here’s how to enable it:

 

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Scroll to Connected devices or More (depending on your phone).

  3. Select NFC.

  4. Toggle the switch to enable NFC.

 

After enabling NFC, you can also enable Android Beam (on older versions of Android) to share files or content between NFC-enabled devices.

Enabling NFC on IOS Devices

iPhones starting from iPhone 7 and up support NFC, but there are differences in how it works:

 

  • iPhone 7/8/X: These models can read NFC tags, but only via apps (not background tag reading).

  • iPhone XS and newer: These support background NFC tag reading without needing third-party apps.

 

To enable NFC for iPhones:

 

  1. Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay to enable NFC for payments.

  2. For NFC Tag Reading, just ensure your iPhone is unlocked, and NFC works automatically when the device is brought near a tag (iOS does not have a specific setting to enable/disable NFC like Android).

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Testing NFC on Android/iOS

 

To check if your NFC is working:

 

  • Use NFC Tools or NFC TagInfo apps on Android.

  • On iPhones (XS and later), simply bring your phone near an NFC tag and see if it responds.

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