What Is NFC On My Phone? How It Works and How to Use It

In today’s digital age, our smartphone is not just a talking device; it is an integral part of our lives. From shopping to entertainment, we do almost everything with our phones. There are many technologies hidden inside this smartphone that make our lives easier. One such magical technology is NFC, whose full name is Near Field Communication.

You may have seen someone in a shopping mall paying a bill by just touching their phone to a machine, or transferring pictures or files by bringing two phones close together. All this is possible through NFC technology.

But, what is NFC On My Phone? How does it work? Does your phone have this feature, and if so, how do you use it? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Let’s find the answers to all these questions and take a detailed tour of the NFC world.

What Is NFC On My Phone?

NFC or Near Field Communication is a short-range wireless technology. That allows two electronic devices to communicate with each other by bringing them very close together (usually within 4 centimeters or 1.5 inches).

You can think of it like a secret handshake. When two devices come close enough to each other, they get to know each other and start exchanging information. It doesn’t require an internet or Wi-Fi connection, and there’s no hassle of pairing with a password, like Bluetooth.

NFC is basically an advanced version of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology. You may have seen RFID tags on products in stores or on ID cards. Which a reader can scan from a distance. NFC takes that concept a step further, where two devices can talk to each other (two-way communication).

How does NFC work?

NFC works via radio waves. When two NFC-enabled devices come close together, one device (called the initiator or active device, such as your smartphone) creates a radio field. The other device (called the target or passive device, such as a payment terminal or NFC tag) collects energy from that field and starts sending information.

Its biggest advantage is its short range. Because the communication is limited to just a few centimeters, no one else can access your phone’s data without your permission. This makes NFC extremely secure, especially for financial transactions.

How do I know if my phone has NFC?

Not all smartphones have NFC technology. This feature is usually found in mid- to high-end phones. Here are some easy ways to check if your phone has NFC:

1. Find it in your phone’s settings (For Android)

This is the easiest way for Android phone users to check.

• Go to your phone’s Settings.
• Tap on the “Connections” or “Connected devices” or “Network & sharing” option.
• Here you will see an option called “NFC” or “NFC and contactless payments“. If this option is there, then your phone has NFC. You can turn it on or off from here.
• Many phones also have an NFC icon in the Quick Settings panel (which comes up when you swipe down from the top of the screen).

2. In the case of iPhone (For iPhone)

The situation is a little different for Apple’s iPhone.

• The iPhone 6 and all later models have NFC hardware.
• However, unlike Android, there is no separate button on the iPhone to turn NFC on or off. It’s always on, but only works automatically for certain tasks (like Apple Pay, App Clips).
• You can scan NFC tags with iPhone 7 and later models. In iOS 14 or later, you can also turn on the NFC tag reader from Control Center.

3. Check the body of the phone

Some older models of phones had a small ‘N‘ logo on the back or on the battery, which symbolizes NFC. Although this logo is no longer used on modern phones, it can be a sign for older devices.

10 Magical Uses of NFC

NFC is not limited to money transactions only. Its use is spread in many areas of our daily life. Let’s know about some of its wonderful uses.

1. Contactless Payments

This is the most popular use of NFC. Using apps like Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, you can add your credit or debit card to your phone. Then, just tap your phone on the payment machine at the store and your payment will be completed. There is no hassle of entering a PIN number or swiping the card. It is fast and very secure.

2. Fast file and data sharing

You can easily share pictures, videos, contact numbers, website links or any file with each other by bringing two NFC-enabled Android phones close together. Android’s old Android Beam feature was once used for this purpose. Now, the Nearby Share feature can also quickly connect two devices using NFC.

3. Faster connection to electronic devices

To connect our phones to Bluetooth speakers, headphones or cameras, we often have to go into the device’s Bluetooth menu and pair them, which is quite time-consuming. Many modern devices now have NFC. You just need to tap your phone on the NFC logo of that device and the Bluetooth connection will be established instantly. No password or pairing is required.

4. Automate life using NFC tags

An NFC tag is a small, thin sticker-like chip that can be programmed with a small amount of data (such as a website link, command or contact information). These tags do not require their own power source; they are activated by bringing your phone close to it. Its uses are endless:

• At home: You can stick an NFC tag on your bedroom door, where tapping it will turn off the phone’s Wi-Fi, put the phone in silent mode and set the alarm.

• In the car: Place a tag on the dashboard of your car. Tapping on the phone will automatically turn on Bluetooth, open Google Maps, and start playing your favorite song.

• Business Card: You can add an NFC tag to your business card. When someone else taps your card on their phone, your contact number, email, and website will all be saved on their phone.

5. Use as a ticket in public transportation

In many major cities around the world like London, Singapore, and Tokyo, people use their smartphones to travel by metro or bus. Using the phone’s NFC, they can easily pay their fare by tapping on the gate. This eliminates the need for paper tickets or plastic cards.

6. Digital Keys and Access Control

Many modern hotels and offices now use NFC-enabled cards instead of keys. You can even use your phone as a digital key. With certain apps, you can open the door by tapping your phone on the hotel room door or office entrance. Some modern car manufacturers are also using NFC technology as car keys.

7. In the world of gaming and toys

The popular gaming consoles Nintendo Switch and 3DS use a type of toy called Amiibo, which has an NFC chip underneath. These toys unlock new characters, costumes or special abilities within the game when tapped on the gaming controller.

8. Product Authentication

Famous and expensive brands are now using NFC tags on the packaging of their products. Buyers can easily verify whether the product is original or fake by scanning the tag with their phone. This is especially useful for medicines, cosmetics or luxury products.

9. Use in healthcare

By adding an NFC tag to the wristband worn by patients in hospitals, all the patient’s information (such as name, disease description, medication time) can be stored digitally. Nurses or doctors can get the correct patient information in an instant by just tapping their device, which reduces the possibility of mistakes.

10. Fast connection to Wi-Fi networks

It is quite a hassle to type in the Wi-Fi password when guests come to your home or office. You can save your Wi-Fi network name and password to an NFC tag. Then, anyone who taps their phone on the tag will automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Is NFC safe?

Whenever it comes to financial transactions or exchanging personal information, the question of security comes to mind first. Many people are also concerned about its security in the case of NFC. However, the reality is that NFC is one of the most secure wireless technologies currently in use. The reasons for this are:

• Extremely short range: NFC works within a distance of just 4 centimeters. So it is almost impossible for a hacker or a stranger to get too close to your phone without your knowledge and steal data.

• Tokenization: When you pay with NFC, your real card number is not passed on to the merchant. Instead, a one-time virtual number or token is created, which is used only for that specific transaction. As a result, your card information is completely secure.

• User permissions: For most important tasks, such as making payments or sharing sensitive information, you first need to unlock the phone and in many cases confirm it with a PIN or biometric (fingerprint or Face ID).

All these security measures make NFC hacking almost impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question 1: Does NFC require an internet connection? 

Answer: It depends on what you are doing. Simple tasks like reading NFC tags or sharing contact numbers between two phones do not require an internet connection. However, contactless payments require an internet connection on your phone, as it needs to communicate with the bank server to process the payment.

Question 2: Does leaving NFC on drain your phone’s battery faster? 

Answer: No. NFC technology uses very little power. When it is not actively connected to a device, it consumes almost no power. So even leaving NFC on all day has little impact on your phone’s battery.

Question 3: Do all phones have NFC? 

Answer: No, not all phones have NFC. It is usually found in mid- and high-budget smartphones. However, with the advancement of technology, this feature is now being offered in many affordable phones as well.

Question 4: Are NFC and RFID the same thing? 

Answer: NFC is a special form of RFID technology. RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) is a one-way communication system, where a reader can scan a tag from a distance. On the other hand, NFC supports two-way communication, which means that two devices can exchange data with each other. Also, the range of NFC is much less than RFID.

Question 5: What is the status of NFC payments in Bangladesh? 

Answer: The use of NFC payments is increasing in Bangladesh. Many banks are now issuing contactless debit and credit cards, which use NFC technology. Payment terminals (POS machines) in large supermarkets and restaurants are also now NFC-enabled. So if you have Google Pay (or an equivalent app) and a contactless card on your phone, you can easily make payments by tapping.

Conclusion

NFC or Near Field Communication is not a complicated or scary technology, but rather a wonderful way to make our digital lives easier, faster and safer. From contactless payments to home automation, its potential is endless.

As technology improves, the use of NFC will only increase in the future. Maybe one day we won’t need our wallets, keys, or even ID cards; everything will be just a tap away from our phones.

So, the next time you pick up your phone, go to its settings and see if this magical technology is waiting for you. If it is, don’t hesitate to use it and enjoy this convenience of digital life.