Most modern smartphones come equipped with NFC technology. In fact, if you’ve used mobile payment apps like Google Pay, you’ll already have experience with the technology. This wireless communication standard enables contactless payments and easy pairing of devices. But do you know how it works? In this article, we’ll explain in plain English what is NFC and the different ways it can be used in our daily lives.
What is NFC?
NFC stands for Near Field Communication (short range communicationin English) and allows phones, tablets, laptops and other devices such as speakers, smartwatches, collectibles and gaming consoles such as Nintendo Switch and 3DS to easily share data.
It evolved from radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, which underpins the card you use to sign in to work each morning or, as on the device, to pay your toll on the road.
NFC is similar to RFID, but is limited to communication at a distance of about four inches (10 centimeters), unlike RFID, which can work at much greater distances. For this reason, with NFC, you should hold your phone or (including smartwatches) as close as possible to the contactless reader if you use Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.
Most believe that NFC’s short range provides greater security, which is one of the reasons the technology has become a secure alternative to credit cards. However, NFC has many more uses than paying for coffee at Starbucks. It is also useful for transferring data between two devices that have NFC.
How does NFC technology work?
Unlike Bluetooth, NFC doesn’t require you to pair your devices to start transferring data. The connection starts automatically when another NFC device comes within the four-inch range. Once within range, the two devices communicate and send messages to the user. NFC has a lot of potential, so we detail three ways you can take advantage of it.
Mobile payments
If you place your smartphone within four inches of a contactless reader in a store, your digital wallet will unfold and ask you to confirm payment. In Apple Pay, you can do this by placing your finger on the Touch ID feature on the Home button or by scanning your face using Face ID. It also works with Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
Exchange between Android devices
When two Android devices with NFC are in range and activate the feature, they can share content such as videos, photos, documents and contact information on the other device.
NFC chips
These are tags that can be programmed using apps like Tasker to perform specific tasks once they are scanned. For example, you can place a sticker on your desk and, with a quick scan, set your phone to vibrate, turn off GPS, or only allow work-related notifications, among other options.
What devices have NFC?
The list of NFC-equipped devices is growing every day. To keep track of who uses this technology, you can check the lists on NFC World and NFC Direct. It is available on many Android and iPhone devices.
iPhone 6 and later mobile phones
All iPhone 6 and later phones support this feature. The technology is also available on Apple Watch and Apple tablets starting with the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and third-generation iPad Mini, although these devices will not work with contactless readers. Full details on all Apple devices that support NFC and their limitations with Apple Pay can be found on this Apple support page.
Devices running Android 4.0 and later
NFC has been available on Android devices for several years and has been included in many versions of the Android operating system since Android 4.0. If you have this version or later installed on your device, you can use Google Pay, and if you have a Samsung device, you can also use Samsung Pay.
What else can you do with NFC?
Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and other digital wallets are just some of the capabilities of NFC. Many tech accessories, such as speakers, use NFC to quickly connect to your phone.
In some places, you can also use your mobile phone to pay for subway fares, or even download a card for this service from your mobile device. Another, more radical option is to implant an NFC chip into the body.
You can use NFC tags for a variety of purposes. For example, why not make NFC coasters so that your visitors can access your Wi-Fi network with a simple touch?
Benefits of NFC
NFC is not the only wireless communication protocol. In fact, most devices already include similar technologies such as Bluetooth and ultra-wideband (UWB). So why include another one? One of the most powerful benefits of NFC is that it doesn’t require pairing or manual input to establish a connection—it just takes one tap. On the other hand, Bluetooth devices need to be paired with each other, which can be a tedious process.
In addition to ease of use, short range significantly reduces battery drain compared to Bluetooth and UWB, which is critical to extending battery life on mobile devices. In fact, many smartphones automatically activate NFC for important functions even when the battery is low, such as accessing buildings or vehicles.
In the automotive space, while UWB is gaining popularity for keyless entry, NFC is still preferred due to its simplicity and low cost. Automakers value the reliability of NFC as a backup, ensuring users can access their vehicles even in adverse circumstances.
Additionally, NFC excels in applications that require limited positioning accuracy, such as location-based capabilities in mobile devices. This makes NFC ideal for implementations such as Android’s Find My Device network, where efficiency and availability are critical.
Thus, NFC not only simplifies interaction between devices, but also offers clear advantages in terms of power consumption and availability in a variety of applications, both domestic and industrial.
Source: Digital Trends
