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How to Use NFC Tags on Your Smartphone

Tap each step to see how to set up and use NFC tags.

  1. Turn on NFC in settings

    Open Settings, go to the connections menu, and switch on NFC so your phone can read tags near the back of the device.

  2. Tap an existing NFC tag

    Hold the back of your phone near an existing NFC tag, like a transit card or a contactless payment terminal, and it reads automatically or starts a payment.

  3. Program a blank tag with an automation

    Using an NFC tag-writing app, you can record an action -- like turning on Wi-Fi, launching an app, or enabling Do Not Disturb -- onto a blank NFC sticker.

  4. Everyday uses beyond payments

    Stick a tag by your front door so Wi-Fi switches on automatically when you tap it, or attach one to your car's dashboard mount so Bluetooth and your navigation app launch the moment you tap your phone against it.

  5. Check that your device supports NFC

    Some budget phone models don't include NFC hardware, so if you don't see an NFC option in your connections settings, check your phone's specifications first.

More Than Just Tap-to-Pay

NFC isn't just for transit cards and contactless payment. Once you've recorded an action onto a tag, holding your phone near it can trigger a repetitive task automatically, which makes it a genuinely useful shortcut in daily life.

Blank Tags Are Cheap and Reusable

NFC sticker tags typically cost only a small amount and can be reprogrammed through an app whenever your needs change, so you don't need to buy a new one each time you want to record a different action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does keeping NFC on drain the battery a lot?

NFC only communicates briefly when it's held close to a tag, so it uses far less power than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Can NFC tag stickers be rewritten more than once?

Yes, a typical NFC tag can be rewritten thousands of times, so you can overwrite the recorded action with a new one whenever you want.