How To Use NFC Tags Using An Android Phone? (10 Easy Steps)
Near-field communication (NFC) tags are a useful feature in many modern phones. While NFC tags aren’t the topic of discussion for many smartphone users, since there are so many options for wireless payments like Google pay and Apple pay, the applications of NFCs remain impressive. This article can help you learn more about NFCs and how to use NFC tags using an Android phone.
What Is NFC?
NFC tags are present in many smartphones, and they transmit data wirelessly to other NFC-enabled devices. NFC uses magnetic field induction, enabling it to share data wirelessly at a short distance. You can find most of them on the access cards to your office building. They are a convenient feature for seamless connections and transactions.
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In this article, you will find
- What are NFC Tags?
- Benefits Of Using An NFC Tag
- How To Use NFC Tags Using An Android Phone?
- Programming An NFC Tag Using An Android Phone
What Are NFC Tags?
You can embed NFC technology into smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices for a seamless connection. NFC tags are smart chips in an electronic device for wireless connection to send or receive data seamlessly.
Benefits Of Using An NFC Tag
NFCs are helpful when it comes to wireless transactions. These are some of the other benefits of NFC tags:
1. Seamless Connection
NFC devices can connect and exchange data smoothly. This makes it an excellent choice for contactless payments, access control, and other applications that require fast and seamless connectivity.
2. Wireless Data Connection
NFC chips can be integrated into electronic devices to secure contactless payments and data transfer. These chips draw power from the external device and are embedded into and use magnetic field induction to enable the process and make it seamless.
3. Secure Data Transaction
NFCs only work with devices if they are close to each other and also protect the device from remote hijackers. Therefore, making them a safe and secure process.
4. Network Connectivity Not Needed
NFC tags don’t require internet connectivity to work. NFC tags can work even without Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and LTE connectivity. It is a simple process of tapping the tag on a compatible device. Businesses use NFC tags for simple and fast payments. They are also used for access cards in offices and hotels.
5. Low cost And Convenient
NFC tags are simple and uncomplicated, which makes them convenient to use. They are also an affordable piece of technology that makes digital transactions seamless.
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How To Use NFC Tags Using An Android Phone?
You can use NFC tags with an Android phone to make contactless payments anywhere without hassle. By following the given steps, you can learn how to use NFC tags using an Android phone:
Here are some requirements for the process:
- An NFC tag. They are incredibly cheap, and you can easily find one on Amazon.
- An Android device with NFC compatibility.
- An app to program the NFC tag. You can download the app for free from the Google Play Store.
Make sure you have these requirements to continue with the process.
Programming An NFC Tag Using An Android Phone
- First, enable the NFC option on your android device. To enable NFC, go to settings, and type NFC in the search bar. The NFC option will pop up, and then just tap on it to enable it. You can also enable it by going to settings, Bluetooth, and connections, tapping on connection preferences, and then turning on the NFC toggle.
- The next step is to download the app Trigger. It is available on the Google Play Store for free.
- After installing the app on your device, open the app and create a new trigger. You can do this by simply tapping on the plus (+) sign at the bottom right corner.
- After tapping on the plus sign, a new tab that says “Add Trigger” will pop up. This tab will contain the options where you can create triggers. Here, tap on the NFC option so that you can create actions to perform when the NFC tag is tapped.
- After tapping on the NFC option, a tab called Configure NFC task will pop up. Tap on next to go to continue.
- A new tab called add restrictions will pop up. Here, you can add the conditions when the NFC tag is running. After you have defined the conditions, tap on Done to continue.
- Next, a tab will pop up where your NFC is ready to configure. Tap on Next to continue with the configurations.
- Then, you configure the various actions the NFC tag will do when you tap it. You will find options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and more.
- After configuring the options you want, you can see the list of actions you selected. You can add more actions for the tag to perform by tapping on the (+) sign. Then tap Next to continue.
- Finally, tap on Done. Once you have completed the above process, the app will tell you to place the NFC tag near the NFC location. The app will automatically configure the actions to your NFC tag. A message will display to let you know if the configuration was successful.
After you have completed the above process, you can tap on the NFC tag, and the predefined action will automatically work. Just a simple tap with your phone will do the job.
Another way to use NFC tags using an Android phone is to use an app called ‘NFC Writer by Trigger.’ It is similar to the old Trigger app and is free on the Google Play Store.
Image source: Playstore
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do NFC tags work without power?
NFC tags don’t need power to work. It uses magnetic field induction to work.
2. What are the use cases of NFC tags?
Some use cases of NFC tags are
1. You can automatically connect to the Wi-Fi by simply tapping on the NFC tag. This will be a really useful feature, especially when you have people over at your house, so they can easily connect to the Wi-Fi.
2. You can directly call someone by programming them to call someone specific when it is tapped.
3. You can make contactless payments.
4. You can program the NFC to lock/unlock the door if you have a smart door in your home.
5. If your car’s Bluetooth is compatible with NFC, then you can easily connect to it by programming the NFC tag.
3. What are the benefits of using an NFC tag?
1. Seamless connection.
2. Wireless data connection.
3. Secure data transactions.
4. Network connectivity is not needed.
5. Low cost and convenience to use.
4. Are NFC tags expensive?
No, in fact, NFC tags are very cheap, and you can easily find them on Amazon.
5. What is the maximum range of NFC devices?
NFC devices are used for short-range data transmission; the maximum distance they can cover is four inches.
6. What are NFC tags made of?
NFC tags are usually made in circular or square shapes. They have a thin copper coil on a microchip. The copper coil allows the NFC tag to receive power from other NFC-enabled devices.
Final Thoughts
Using NFC tags on your android smartphone can help you automate simple tasks. They are simple, cheap, and convenient to use. With programmable NFC tags, you can make your life at home easier by enabling NFC tags to perform simple actions like turning on or off the lights and locking or unlocking the doors.
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