Use the NFC function. NFC support on your phone - what is it and how to use the function? What is NFC on a phone and why is it needed?

Some statistics: retailers have calculated how many smartphones with NFC support were sold in 2018. The Svyaznoy and Euroset companies, united into one network, reported that last year the number of phones with NFC sold was more than 11 million, which is 65% of the number of devices sold in 2018. This is due to the growing popularity of contactless payments via phone, which are carried out by activating NFC sensors.

What is NFC on a phone and why is it needed?

What is NFC in a smartphone? NFS is a contactless communication technology that helps exchange data at close range. NFC technology was first launched in 2006, but at that time there were no conditions for using the function, so popularity came later, after 5 years.

Phones that support contactless payments are actively selling, and the areas of use of NFC technology have expanded: the owner of a smartphone pays for purchases by touching the terminal, receives information from NFC sensors, buys travel tickets, plays multimedia files and transfers information from one device to others.

The NFC function is enabled by a pre-built sensor that receives information by sending and receiving a radio signal at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The chip is built into the factory by the smartphone manufacturer; NFC cannot be “downloaded” into the phone through software installation.

NFC support on a phone makes it easier for the user to complete daily tasks, and to receive additional benefits, the smartphone owner must understand how to use this feature and how to find out if the phone has NFC.

How to find out if your phone has NFC and how to turn it on

Despite the widespread use of wireless technology, not all phones have an NFC chip. There are several ways to find out if a function is available on your phone:

• some smartphone manufacturers place a small image of the NFC icon in the shape of the letter N on the back panel or battery if the cover is removed manually;
• the product instructions indicate a list of smartphone functions, it is indicated as Near Field Communication or NFC, they write there what NFC means in the phone and how to enable it;
• There should be a button to enable the function in the phone settings, in the “Network connections” item or on the quick access panel. Some manufacturers include short instructions directly on the phone.

If none of the points are met, this means that the NFC function is missing on the phone and it is impossible to use this advantage. After purchasing a new phone that supports contactless communication technology, the owner must check for NFC in the smartphone.

On Android

NFC on an Android phone is enabled in the settings. The name of the menu items depends on the smartphone model and operating system; you can enable the function in two ways: through the settings in the menu and using the shortcut buttons.

In settings:

• in the main menu, the “Settings” or “Options” button;
• item “Wireless connections and networks” or “Connections”;
• enable NFC function.

Shortcut button:

• pull down the “curtain” with notifications at the top of the screen, open the quick access panel;
• press the NFC button.

The function does not require device memory and does not use battery resources.

On iPhone

The iPhone owner does not require additional steps to enable or disable the NFC function. It works by default on iPhones starting with iPhone 6 and above. To operate, the user simply brings the smartphone to the device, which itself reads the necessary information.

How to use

Owners of devices with Android OS can count on the following use of NFC:

• transferring data from one device to another: files, links to web pages and applications;
• reading and creating NFC tags;
• paying for purchases by touching the payment terminal;
• withdrawing cash from a card at ATMs.

iPhones greatly limit the operation of NFS: in iPhone 6, 6s, 7, this chip only works to pay for purchases with a touch. The following models can not only pay for goods, but also read tags, the rest is not yet available.

For information exchange

Devices that support this function can participate in data transmission via NFC. The minimum Android version on both devices is 4.0. To transfer information, the required file or link is opened, the devices are brought close to each other so that the NFC chips are located next to each other. Once connected, a beep may sound and the user taps on the screen to transfer information to the second device.

In this way you can transfer information: contacts, passwords or keys, GPS coordinates or routes, multimedia. But it should be taken into account that the NFC transmission speed is 400 Mbit/sec and it will take a long time to transfer large files.

For labels

NFC tags are a tool that makes everyday activities easier. Using tags the user can:

• launch and activate an alarm clock, calendar and other application on your smartphone;
• read information from a pre-programmed tag.

To read some tags, a special application is installed on your smartphone. Transport apps report the number of trips, travel card amounts and other information, while shopping apps show product details.

To read NFC tags, the smartphone is equipped with an NFC chip at the factory. There are no restrictions on Android, and iOS only allows this on iPhone 8 and above.

Android phones can not only read information from tags, but also program them. To do this, the user installs a special program on the phone, purchases an NFC tag in the store and programs the sensor to perform the desired action.

For payment

Tap payments are a common payment method in stores. In this case, the smartphone is used instead of a card as a means of payment.

For payment the following conditions must be met:

• NFC function enabled;
• payment application: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay or banking programs;
• card connected in this application.

How to use NFC on your phone to pay:

• the cashier punches the amount on the terminal;
• the buyer selects a card and places the phone on the reader;
• money is debited from the card automatically.

It is important for the client that the application used for payment is reliably protected from outside interference. Some programs require you to enter security passwords and a fingerprint before payment. These measures help to avoid unauthorized debits.

Video - what is NFC on a phone

The combination “NFC” (Near field communication) is increasingly found in the specifications of modern smartphones and tablets. In this article we will try to consider this interface from the point of view of practical use, so that readers can independently draw their own conclusion about the need to have it on their phone.

In testing, we used two smartphone models that have already been reviewed in detail on our resource: Acer CloudMobile S500 and Sony Xperia acro S. We would also like to point out that most of the information, including the programs and use cases described, will only apply to Android smartphones. It is this operating system that is today the most “friendly” when it comes to working with NFC.

Introduction

At first glance, it may seem that numerous wireless interfaces today already cover all possible popular tasks and scenarios, so another option is simply not needed. However, if you look at the development of modern technologies, you will notice that more and more attention is being paid to energy consumption issues, especially when it comes to mobile devices. In particular, version 4.0 of the well-known family of Bluetooth protocols is precisely aimed at reducing battery costs. The second point worth mentioning is that not every task requires a long range. It happens even the other way around - you want to explicitly limit the distance between interacting devices. In addition to the obvious reduction in consumption, this also affects safety. And a similar remark can be made about the volume of transmitted data. So the idea of ​​a slow wireless interface that operates over short distances and is characterized by low power consumption has a right to exist.

The starting point in the history of NFC development can be taken in 2004, when Nokia, Philips and Sony announced the creation of a touch-based interface for the interaction of various devices with the aim of developing and standardizing the interface between various devices. However, the first versions of the specifications were created a little earlier. Perhaps, by modern standards, the technology can be considered very young (if you do not take into account the history of RFID), but it is already quite often found in real products and services. In particular, at the Mobile World Congress 2013 held at the end of February, many stands and demonstrations were devoted to this topic.

This sign can be found on devices with NFC technology

The formal characteristics of the interface are as follows: operation at a distance of several centimeters, maximum information exchange rate of about 400 Kbps, full-duplex data exchange is supported, operating frequency is 13.56 MHz, connection establishment time does not exceed 0.1 s, operating mode is point-to-point. It can be seen that these parameters radically distinguish NFC from other popular wireless interfaces.

If we talk about devices, then in addition to active controllers in NFC, there are also passive options (they are usually called tags), which receive power wirelessly from the active controller. One example is modern cards for travel on public transport. Tags are simply data storage, usually less than 4 KB in size. Most often, they only provide read mode, but there are also options with write support.

One of the simplest options for a passive NFC tag

The compact size of the controller and its low consumption allows NFC to be implemented even in such small designs as SIM cards or microSD memory cards. However, for full operation it is necessary to use a special antenna. In phones it is usually located on the back of the battery compartment cover or built into the back panel if the device does not have a removable battery.

The NFC antenna is often placed on the back cover of the smartphone

The short range can have a negative impact when using tablets - finding the right place to “position” may not be as easy as we would like. To solve this problem, some manufacturers mark the location of the antenna with a special sign. As for the range, in our case the connection worked at a distance of no more than four centimeters - both between phones and with a passive tag.

From a security point of view, the developers did not implement elements of protection against interception and relay attacks. This of course makes it difficult to implement secure solutions, since it requires the applications themselves to be protected at a higher level. Note that in fact, such a well-known protocol as TCP/IP behaves similarly. So from a practical point of view, losing a phone without additional protection with customized payment system programs seems more dangerous than intercepting communications.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about NFC today is that the interface itself does not provide any real practical use cases or solutions. Unlike, for example, Bluetooth, whose profiles clearly describe how to transfer a file, how to connect a headset or provide network access, NFC is only a base, and direct operating scenarios are provided by additional software that works through it. On the one hand, this opens up great opportunities for developers, but on the other hand, it is a problem for them when ensuring the interaction of different applications and devices.

Interestingly, any programs installed on a smartphone or tablet can register in the operating system as NFC-related event handlers, and then when called externally, you will see a standard menu “What do you want to do with this action?” Since some NFC use cases involve convenient automation of actions, it is advisable not to overload the device with such utilities.

The NFC Forum tries to help with this uncertainty by proposing standardization of protocols for certain scenarios (notably NDEF for storing short messages on tags and SNEP (Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol) for exchanging information between devices), but practically determining the compatibility of specific devices is usually hampered by a lack of detailed information from the manufacturer and diagnostic tools. Another assistant here is Google, which has offered its own development of Android Beam in the latest versions of Android. It allows you to exchange certain types of information between compatible devices.

Android Beam

First, you need to make sure that both devices have NFC enabled, Android Beam active, and their screens are unlocked. On the models we tested, NFC only works if the screen is on and the device is fully unlocked. But perhaps other devices will use a different algorithm. In any case, the active interface requires very little battery power to operate, and so far the described approach seems quite reasonable. One option to simplify your work is to disable the lock screen. In this case, to identify the tag, it will be enough to simply turn on the smartphone. Another inconvenience is the need to confirm the operation by touching the screen after the devices find each other. This is not always easy to do without disrupting communication, especially when both devices are in the hands of two different people.

The next step is to select one of the applications on the device from which you plan to transfer. In particular, these may be:

• Google Chrome - transfer the current open link;
• YouTube client - transfer of a video clip (as a link);
• Google Maps - transfer of a place or route;
• Contacts—transfer a contact card;
• Google Play - application transfer;
• Gallery - transfer of photos.

Next, bring the devices closer to each other. When a partner is detected, you will hear a tone on the sending device and the desktop image will shrink. At this moment, you need to touch the screen image and hold your finger until you hear the second signal - about a successful transfer.

We tried the options listed, and almost all of them really work. Even the fact that our devices were produced by different manufacturers did not prevent them from finding a common language. But a few comments are still worth making. There are no problems with routes in Google Maps, but the option with a place is not very interesting, since only the current map display is transmitted. The dot marked on the screen of the original phone does not reach the recipient. The situation can be corrected by using the Addresses application, which transmits data correctly. When sending contacts, the photo is lost, since from a technical point of view the transfer format corresponds to vcf text files. If we talk about applications, then you can send not only those installed on the phone, but also simply open cards on Google Play. Books and other content from the store are similarly supported. Naturally, we are talking about transferring links, and not the downloaded or, especially, purchased elements themselves. There was a problem with sending photos: the Sony device was unable to work with this type of data. The official wording is “The recipient's device does not support large data transfers via Android Beam.” Here is the first sign that the interface is young or that the technical specifications of the devices are insufficiently detailed. Formally, we have both NFC and Android Beam in two devices, but in practice their real capabilities differ significantly, and this can only be found out by checking. What can we say about less famous manufacturers - their version of implementing this technology can be completely unpredictable.

By the way, regarding the work of Android Beam itself. The description of the technology indicates that data transmission uses Bluetooth communication after initial coordination of settings via NFC. Considering that all working formats required a really small amount of transferred data, NFC speed was quite enough for them, but for photographs it would have been clearly not enough. So we can assume that Sony has not implemented the switch to a faster interface. It is not possible to understand whether this problem is software (remember that this device has Android 4.0.4 installed) or hardware.

We also tried to send our own music and videos in the same way from their respective apps, but nothing appeared on the receiver.

Reading and writing tags

The described Android Beam uses the ability to transmit and process short information messages. However, in reality, they can not only be transmitted from the phone, but also read from passive tags. In some ways, this technology is similar to the well-known QR codes that are read by a phone camera. At the same time, useful information (for example, a link to a website page) takes up literally several tens of bytes. Tags can be used by companies, for example, to promote their products or services. Considering the compact size of the passive tag (more precisely, its thickness is comparable to a sheet of paper - due to the antenna, the area will still be significant, no less than a five-ruble coin), it can be placed almost anywhere: on a box with a product, in a magazine, on an information sheet. counter and other places.

Passive NFC tags can be manufactured as key fobs

If we talk about making tags with our own hands, then this is a completely feasible scenario. To do this, you need to purchase clean blanks and use a special program for your phone to write down the required information on them. As an example, we bought several different options: a sticker of minimal thickness, a protected plastic circle and keychains. All of them had a very small amount of memory - only 144 bytes (there are also 4 KB options on the market). The number of rewrite cycles was not specified, but for most application scenarios this parameter is not critical. To work with tags, we can recommend NXP Semiconductors programs - TagInfo and TagWriter.

The first will allow you to read data from the tag and decrypt information according to the NDEF standard, and the second will help you create your own tags. Several NDEF sub-options are supported: contact, link, text, SMS, mail message, phone number, Bluetooth connection, geographic location, local file link, application launch, URI. Please note that when creating a record, you need to take into account the amount of data stored. For example, a contact photo can take up several kilobytes, messages or text can also easily exceed 144 bytes. By the way, the NFC TagInfo program from NFC Research Lab with a special plugin can read and show you a color photo from a biometric passport. With a data volume of one and a half dozen kilobytes, reading them via NFC takes about 20 seconds. An additional level of protection in this case is provided by the need to specify some passport details to read data from the chip.

Note that automatic processing of read tags depends on the content. In particular, sometimes additional confirmation is required to carry out the action itself. For example, in the case of SMS, a completed message form opens, but the user must actually confirm the sending. But the recorded web link can immediately open in the browser. Any automation is associated with a loss of control, so the described capabilities should be used carefully, since by simply replacing or reprogramming tags, attackers can redirect you to a fake site instead of the original one. We did not find any standard OS settings to limit such autorun (unless you disable NFC itself).

Another important point when using tags in public places is protection against overwriting. When recording a tag, you can set a protection flag that will block all attempts to change the information, but it will no longer be possible to remove it. So the label will be used in read-only mode in the future. For home use, in most cases this is not very critical.

Let's mention a few more programs for recording tags:

Using ready-made tags to control the device

One of the active participants in the NFC implementation process is Sony. Its devices come pre-installed with the Smart Connect program, which supports working with original Sony tags. If you wish, using the SmartTag Maker utility, you can create them yourself from blank blanks. The system uses the NDEF URI format with encoding of the label number/color in the text link. In total, the system provides up to eight tags, which are designated as “home”, “office”, “car”, “bedroom”, “listen”, “play”, “activities”, “watch”.

Variant of original Sony SmartTags

The Smart Connect program itself works not only with NFC tags, but also with other devices connected to the phone, including headsets, power supply, and Bluetooth devices. It’s quite convenient that the standard settings already correspond well to the above scenarios. In this case, the user can reprogram all circuits; each of them specifies a set of conditions and actions.

As a condition, you can use tag identification or device connection, and you can additionally limit the operating time of the circuit. The set of actions is quite wide, it includes launching an application, opening a link in the browser, starting music, adjusting volume and mode, connecting a Bluetooth audio device, sending SMS, making a call, managing wireless interfaces, adjusting brightness and other actions. Moreover, they can also be assigned to exit this mode, which is carried out by repeated recognition of the tag, by a new event/tag, or by the expiration of a specified time interval.

But in fact, it is not necessary to use Sony branded tags - you can also find use for ready-made tags that do not allow information to be overwritten. For example, these could be used transport cards. The fact is that each of them has its own unique identifier, which can be tied to certain actions using special programs. Possible reactions may include operations such as changing the profile, enabling/disabling interfaces, and many others.

There are several utilities for this scenario in the Play Store, let's mention a couple of them:

Let us remind you that you should not install several similar programs at once. This mode will not add any convenience, since when a tag is detected on the phone screen, a dialog box will appear asking you to select a program to process it.

While searching for programs for working with tags, we also came across another class of utilities that may be interesting if you have recordable tags. These programs use their own original recording format, which only they can work with. In this case, the set of possible actions is almost no different from those described above:

Let us remind you that at the moment the tag can be read only when the device is unlocked. So the scenario “came home, put the phone on the nightstand - automatically switched the profile, turned off the call and Bluetooth, set the alarm” will require some actions from the user. This behavior still slightly limits the capabilities of programs.

Exchange information between devices

With the exception of Android Beam, the scenarios described above assume the operation of a single phone with a tag or a specialized terminal. If we talk about the direct connection of devices with each other, then the main issue here is compatibility. Of course, in the case of products from one manufacturer, especially a large one, that manufacturer has the opportunity to simply install the appropriate program in the firmware. But if the devices are produced by different manufacturers, everyone will have to use the same utilities. And it’s not at all a fact that your partner will have the same program installed as yours.

Considering that NFC's own speed is very low, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is usually used to quickly transfer files, and NFC only works at the stage of negotiating connection parameters and establishing communication. To test this scenario, we tried several file transfer programs that claim to support NFC on our devices.

Send! File Transfer (NFC) in the free version allows you to exchange photo, music and video files. You can use NFC or QR codes to establish communication. The transfer is carried out via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (if both devices have support for Wi-Fi Direct, which the Sony phone we used did not have). As a result, we were able to see a speed of 65 KB/s, which, of course, is too low even for photographs.

Blue NFC, as the name suggests, also simplifies file sharing over Bluetooth by replacing the power-on, search, and pairing steps with touch and NFC sharing. The speed of operation is not very high - at the level of the program mentioned above.

File Expert HD also uses Bluetooth, but the speed is already 100-200 KB/s. True, in fairness it is worth noting that this program has many other file sharing modes.

Conclusion

As of the spring of 2013, we can say that NFC technology already confidently occupies a place in modern high-end and mid-level smartphones. Interest in it can be indirectly assessed by the number of programs in the Play Store: there are already several hundred free projects alone. Considering the market dominance (especially in the number of models) of the Android platform, it is the most popular platform for NFC devices today. iOS does not provide standard tools for NFC, and Windows Phone 8 has significantly limited capabilities for working with NFC for third-party applications.

NFC technology itself has several features that allow it to occupy a unique position:

• contactless data transfer;
• work only over short distances;
• the ability to exchange information with other devices or passive tags;
• low cost solution;
• low power consumption;
• low data transfer speed.

Currently, for smartphones and tablets, there are three most relevant options for using NFC: exchanging data between devices (contacts, applications, links, photos and other files), reading tags with special information and changing device modes/settings/profiles, quick pairing with peripheral devices (such as headsets). In the first case, you can try working with the standard Android Beam program or install alternative options. They can be useful if you need high transfer speeds (via Wi-Fi), but require the same program on each device.

Passive tags can be used almost anywhere, from posters to magazines to product tags. They can record product information, a website link, Wi-Fi settings, contact information, geographic coordinates, or other small amount of data. The spread of this method of information exchange directly depends on the number of compatible devices users have. This scenario can be compared with common QR codes, which today are, perhaps, still simpler in terms of implementation and more popular.

To change system settings, you can use even non-recordable tags with some programs, so many users will be able to try this scenario. However, it should be noted that in this case the set of options will be recorded in a specific device, and transferring it to another device may be difficult. Most utilities for this purpose still require their own recorded tags, which allows them to store all the required information in encoded form directly in the tag (or cloud), so that to use these settings on another device, it will be enough to have the same program on it.

We did not consider in this article such NFC use cases as payment systems, electronic wallets and micropayments, tickets and coupons, transport cards and passes. These topics, especially the first, deserve separate consideration. We will try to return to them if there is reader interest and the spread of such solutions.

Hello dear readers of this blog. In this article I will talk about interesting NFC technology. Many have already heard about this new product, but it was announced in 2004. The opportunity is most often used in smartphones based on Android or iOS, but there are many other devices where the technology is used, we will also talk about this.

NFC (Near field communication) – translated as “short-range non-contact communication”. There are several definitions. Used to provide communication between devices over a short distance, originally intended for contactless transactions. The actual distance for interaction is 10 cm.

We’ve talked about the definition, now let’s move on directly to analyzing all the nuances, history and places of use.

Content:

How NFC works

It would seem that the function is very different from other wireless models, and is also inferior to them. The principle of NFC operation is that a device with a built-in module of this technology operates at a speed of approximately 400 Kbps (obviously inferior to Wi-Fi), interaction occurs at a distance of 10 cm, that is, you practically touch the devices to each other, although time connections are usually instantaneous.

The NFC module is very compact, so it can be built into not only smartphones, but also watches. It doesn't consume a lot of energy. For the module to work in the desired direction, the device must have an antenna. On phones it is usually on the back. Thus, touching the devices should provide instantaneous contact. If the device is large in size, for example, a tablet, then it is more difficult to find the point of interaction.

As for security, the creators didn’t think about it at all. Security must be implemented at the level of the device where the NFC module is used. In other words, if you use a payment system, then you don’t have to worry about the security of making payments. If your phone is lost or stolen, you will be to blame if you have not set at least a minimum level of protection as an unlocking device, for example, a pattern key, a fingerprint scanner or a PIN code.

Of course, the difference between NFC technology and other wireless solutions is that the technology is essentially a script, unlike Bluetooth, which clearly states that it must receive and receive data, or be able to connect with headphones and other devices. In NFC, various methods can be created independently, which will be implemented using software. In short, give free rein to your imagination and you can create a lot of interesting things.

By the way, I never said that the NFC function was created based on RFID identification. Usually these are so-called tags that allow you to automatically identify a device using a radio signal. This feature allows you to communicate with both active devices (powered by batteries) and passive ones (which do not require power).

What is the peculiarity of the technology and where is it used?

When it comes to smartphones, there are several applications for this type of device:

• Use as a payment system (linking credit cards, gift and discount cards);
• Transfer data between two devices (let me remind you, the distance between devices is at least 10 cm);
• Use as user identification;
• Bluetooth connection for data transfer;
• Reading RFID tags to obtain information, for example, from bulletin boards.

As already mentioned, NFC is most often used in smartphones and tablets running iOS. The thing is that we almost never part with our phone, so the integration of wireless technology was aimed primarily at mobile devices.

In the future, NFC technology will be used not only in mobile phones, but also in electronic keys, with a unique identifier, perhaps one that cannot be faked, when purchasing airline tickets, and indeed any tickets in general, and many other options.

Door locks and handles

By the way, now you don’t have to worry about losing the key to open the door, because there is a handle that has wireless high-frequency communication technology built into it. With any device (for example, a telephone), you can enter a corresponding tag that will open the door when presented. You can look for such a thing in Chinese online stores like Aliexpress.

Surprisingly, there are so-called smart locks. They not only have a key hole, but also a built-in NFC module. It can send a notification to your phone the moment you open the door (or someone tried to do it), and also if someone knocked. The lock can be connected via a network and controlled remotely. You can make electronic keys with built-in tags and distribute them to all family members or even friends.

NFC ring, what is it and how to use it

As already mentioned, if you have any thing with an NFC module, you can record almost any information. For example, you have a special ring. Using it, you can transfer contact information and do not need to carry all sorts of cards with you. It can also be used to open the same locks.

If there is no electricity in the house (and the lock is powered from it or from batteries), then the door can be opened with a key. In this case, you should play it safe and always carry the key with you when you leave.

Contactless payment

I have already written about this type of use of the above technology. Now in almost all cities of Russia, at least in one store, there is an ATM or reader that allows you to do so. You just need to link the card to an application such as Android Pay or Samsung Pay.

Fare payment

The same NFC will help you pay for your subway fare or go through a turnstile. To pay, you will need a special SIM card that supports this technology. Most likely, most operators now support it, but you’d better check.

Finally, you can use NFC in jewelry; some manage to embed it in tattoos, for example, to unlock a smartphone.

News on NFC Forum

Along with the development, a forum was founded where developers are trying to promote the technology in various household solutions, and smartphones, of course.

On the resource you can find the necessary information about NFC and news, most likely related to the compliance of standards in some devices.

What about security in devices with NFC

The use of various methods of unauthorized access to data via NFC has already been repeatedly mentioned. For example, in 2012, an exploit was created that allows you to insert malicious code into a smartphone and gain full access to everything that is in it, including managing the device.

If an attacker has the necessary antennas, then there is a chance to listen to a person via NFC; of course, with some skill, you can achieve wiretapping at a distance of a few meters maximum. An important fact is that a device powered by energy is easier to listen to than a passive version.

Through experiments, a disruption in the communication of devices was identified by jamming the signal. A radio signal is known to be very easy to distort, and the RFID module is very sensitive to this.

Why can't I use Bluetooth to perform the operation?

Bluetooth differs from NFC in that it has a long range, which makes the signal easy to intercept, as well as a short access time. NFC communicates with the device almost instantly.

NFC – which phones have it and how to enable it

I'll show you using an Android phone as an example. When purchasing, you probably read the characteristics of the smartphone, and there was probably a line “NFC support” there. If you don't remember, you can look it up in the system settings.

To begin, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade. It is quite possible that you will see an “NFC” option there.

If there is no function in the notification shade, then go to settings. I have Android 7.1.2 with the LineageOS shell, so I’ll show you with an example. In chapter " Wireless network» click on the button « More».

We are in a section where the NFC subsection is displayed, where you can enable it. There is also an Android Beam function that allows you to exchange data between devices and contactless payment, where you can select the main payment method.

How to use tags with an Android device

First, you need to find NFC tags. They can be used to run any Android application. For example, you are sitting behind the wheel, and it is not convenient for you to search for the right application every time and take your attention from the road. This is where a tag comes to the rescue; when you attach it to your smartphone, the application will instantly launch.

To write the necessary data to the tag, you need to download the NFC ReTAG application. Using it, you scan the tag, and then select the application that you want to launch when you bring it to your smartphone.

How to transfer files via NFC

Now touch the phone where you want to send the file and wait. In fact, this data transfer option is much inferior to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but if you need to transfer some top-secret data, then a short range and minimal probability of interception will ensure this.

In addition to standard file transfer using Android Beam, you can transfer:

• Open link in the browser;
• Data from Google Maps (of a specific route or location);
• Contacts – sent without a photo;
• Applications from Google – a link is sent;
• Any types of files - from text to media.

Creating marks

To create tags you will need a blank; the form factor can be to suit every taste. Regular round tags can be purchased both in Russia and on the Internet, for example, on Aliexpress for 80 rubles.

Now you can install the application on your smartphone (do we need to somehow write the information onto the tag?). I might suggest TagInfo or TagWriter.

The second utility can write the necessary data to the tag, we will need it today. The first one reads the information. You can write down anything, but since the tag has a very small volume (usually in bytes), some data, such as contacts, cannot always be recorded. More precisely, the contact itself will be recorded, but the photo attached to it will not. In future articles, I will show you how to create an NFC tag using the mentioned application.

That's all, now you know what NFC is, which phones have it and why it is used at all. It can be quite helpful in everyday life. If you have any questions, be sure to post in the comments.

With the help of technologyNFC you can not only transfer data from one cell phone to another, but also pay for purchases(for example, purchasing food products in a supermarket).

The decoding is simple - NearFieldCommunication, which, when literally translated into Russian, means near-field communication or communication in nearby space.

Initially, this technology was used for fast contactless payment. Now NFC replaces the plastic bank card and Bluetooth and combines them in one system, which is a fairly practical invention to use. Do you want to make the process of paying for purchases or transferring files easier? Let's figure out how to find out if your phone, tablet or laptop has NFC.

The history of the appearance of technology in the phone

It is believed that this is a relatively young development. Its appearance dates back to 2004: it was during this period that three famous companies Nokia, Philipps and Sony organized the “NFC Forum”, and three years later they integrated the first NFC tags into a Nokia phone.

Smartphone models that support NFC

It should be noted that not all phones support this data transfer technology. It is known that the following devices have NFC support:

• Apple iPhone (from 6S and 6S Plus models);
• new items from the Galaxy line from Samsung and smartphones from other manufacturers on the Android platform (starting from Android0).

Checking the device for NFC

Would you like to try the technology in practice, but don’t know if this is possible on your device? Let's check.

To do this, carefully open the back cover of the smartphone or tablet, in a situation where it can be moved away without damage, and inspect the gadget’s battery.

When NFC development is present, you will see this abbreviation there. If the cover of the phone/tablet is not removable, the corresponding icon or abbreviation will be located on the outside.

If for some reason you do not want or cannot remove the cover, you can make sure that this method of communication is available in the device settings.

Find the “Wireless Networks” tab, then “More...” and if NFC is available on the device, then there will definitely be a corresponding item there.

How it looks, look at the photo above or in video instructions on how to How check correctlyNFC on the phone:

NFC activation

If you find it on your device, you need to activate access to the technologyNFC. You can do this as follows:

1. go to the “Settings” section and then “Wireless networks”, “More...”, where previously you could verify the presence of NFC;
2. confirm by clicking on the item “Allow data exchange when combining > device name > with another”;
3. Android Beam is immediately activated on your Android smartphone. If this does not happen, click on it and select “Yes” so as not to disrupt the system;

NFC can also be activated in the quick menu, in the same place where Wi-fi is turned on. This is done by touching the NFC tag.

Watch the video for more details:

What should I do if my device does not support NFC?

Don't worry if you don't find the built-in feature, there is a way to connect NFC to your device. But this can only be done if the panel cover on the back and the SIM card hole on your smartphone/tablet are removable . Installing NFC in this case will not be difficult.

Installing an NFC module

The optimal solution is to install a special module - an external communication device. It is compatible with almost all smartphones, is easy to use and gives access to NFC without purchasing a new phone.

Types of modules and methods of their implementation

Main types: chips, SIM cards, external devices, stickers. The latter of them come in two types: passive - which do not allow the exchange of data, and active - they use Bluetooth and Wi-fi communication channels for transmission, which significantly increases energy consumption.

Such stickers are attached to the outer shell of the phone, which is also not very practical.

The most popular of them are:

• NFC SIM card. Now available for purchase from most mobile operators. You can find out about the availability of such a SIM at a communication store. You just need to install the finished card into your phone or tablet. This type of module is the most affordable and easiest to install.
• NFC antenna. The second method for which you will need to purchase an NFC antenna. This can be done in a communication salon. Next, the antenna is attached to the SIM card and inserted into the device.

As you have already seen, install the module quite simple and safe : You don't need to download any additional apps or programs. However, these services do not completely replace the Android Pay app, but are just some of its many functions.

How to use an NFC tag

An NFC tag is a miniature device in the form of a chip that can be attached almost anywhere: from a phone to insertion under the skin!

We won't use such radical methods, but it's worth noting that contacts, settings, a URL, and other data and commands can be placed on the chip. All gadgets can support the tag.

Data exchange via NFC

The technology can also be used to transfer files.

To transfer data you must take the following steps:

1. make sure that you have completed NFC and Android Beam activation;
2. unlock the device, exit “sleep mode”;
3. check the devices are detected with each other;
4. connect;
5. transfer data between devices;
6. at the end a specific sound signal will sound.

However, not all types of files can be transferred this way. For example, applications cannot be sent.

Advantages and disadvantages of NFC

The main advantages are:

• low price;
• small dimensions of the device;
• high transmission speed;
• support on almost all mobile devices.

It is worth highlighting the disadvantages:

• relatively short range;
• Not all devices are equipped with an NFC chip.

So, with these notes, you've learned quick and easy ways to test your device's ability to communicate and communicate with other devices using Near Field Communication. By following the simple instructions in this article, you can also find out for yourself whether your smartphone has this technology, be able to integrate NFC into your phone and transfer the necessary files at high speed.

Today, more and more mobile device manufacturers are equipping smartphones with NFC. This chip is built into many phones of different price segments. What is this technology, and what opportunities can it open up for the user of a mobile device?

Translated, Near field communication (NFC) sounds like “near field communication”. We are talking about a special wireless communication interface, the main characteristic of which is considered to be a short range (no more than 10 m). The following distinctive features of NFC can be distinguished:

• Small chip sizes.
• Ability to exchange with other smartphones.
• Low battery consumption.
• The setup and installation of the chip takes only a few seconds.
• NFC is inexpensive, so it is now being actively installed by manufacturers even in budget phone models.
• NFC has a low data transfer speed.

Due to its small size and reduced energy consumption, NFC can be used even in miniature devices. The chip is usually mounted inside the back panel or on the battery compartment cover. So that the user knows where to place the phone to transfer data, the location where the NFC chip is installed is marked with a special sticker.

But NFC is just the base. There is no clearly debugged algorithm for its full use. Therefore, mobile application manufacturers are forced to develop their own ways of working with NFC. Therefore, when devices and applications from different manufacturers interact, problems can often occur.

How to find out if NFC is installed in your smartphone?

Almost all modern phones, both expensive models and budget options, are equipped with this chip. If you want to find out whether your mobile phone has an NFC chip installed, just look at the corresponding inscription (Near Field Communication or NFC). It is usually placed on the battery or on the device body.

If you couldn’t find such an inscription, you’ll have to look in the smartphone itself. In modern phones on the Android platform, just pull down the curtain and select the settings menu. Next, you need to enter the wireless settings section, and then click the “More” button. If your phone has a built-in chip, then in this menu you will see an NFC connection item.

Using NFC

The most common use case for NFC is making contactless payments. In this case, the user just needs to attach a bank card to a smartphone, and in the future they can pay for purchases with just one touch of the smartphone to the banking terminal. In this case, you need to be careful about the safety of your phone. A stolen or lost smartphone can be a boon for scammers.

To make a payment via NFC you need:

• Have a card marked paypass in your hands.
• Install the bank application to which the card belongs to your smartphone.
• Select the NFC button in the menu of this application.
• Then you will need to touch the bank card to the back surface to read the data.
• Receive a password for making payments and remember it (sent via SMS).

NFC can also be used for data exchange. To do this, you will need a special program (for Android - Android Beam, for IOS - NFC Writer). Using the application, you can easily transfer any information from one smartphone to another. However, the data transfer speed is very low, so it is optimal to use this function to send text messages or links.

Another option for using NFC is writing and reading tags (analogous to reading a QR code). This feature is ideal for use at work and at home. You just need to arm yourself with special programs for recording the necessary information and blank blanks. The following actions can be assigned to the created tags: sending emails and SMS, connecting via Bluetooth, opening links, launching any applications.