What is NFC and How to Use NFC on Your Phone

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: August 09, 2019

Have you ever notice that there is signal of NFC on your smartphone? Do you know it plays an important role in our daily life? So today we will give you a wider picture of this strong function.

What is NFC anyway

New smartphone users may often hear the word of NFC but it is something that few people know or even use. NFC is the abbreviation of Near Field Communication, which is short-range wireless communication technology.

Essentially, it is a way for your phone to interact with other device at close range with a working radius of approximately 4 cm and it provides a wireless connection between your device and another.

It also allows for two-way communication where both devices are able to transmit and receive information. Since NFC connection does not rely on Wi-Fi, 4G, LTE or other means, it will not incur any fees.

What is the function of NFC

You may be more confused after reading the definition of NFC. Don’t worry, here we will introduce you the function and the usage of it to help you better understand.

The function of NFC is very simple, just like the Bluetooth, it is used for the transmission between mobile phones but its functions can reach beyond the Bluetooth’s.

As well as avoiding those mobile phone pairing steps when using the Bluetooth, NFC can also utilize the point-to-point technology more effectively because only two mobile phone in contact with each other can achieve this connection and transmission, thus enhancing the confidentiality.

The wide usage of NFC

There exists board development space in NFC and the usage is mainly emerging in mobile phone applications. Here is its application in the daily life.

1. Contact to get access

For instance, the access control, train tickets or concert tickets, etc., you only need to get your mobile phone with a gated password or other mobile device close to the card reader. This technology can also be used in logistics management.

2. Contact to pay

This method has been widely used in our daily life. As long as the mobile device with transmission function is close to the POS machine with NFC tag, the payment can be completed and only by confirming can you complete this transaction process.

3. Contact to connect

By connecting two mobile device that both have NFC function, you can transfer media files such as music and pictures quickly through reading NFC tags.

4. Informational urban construction

In Britain, for example, when you walk into an art gallery, only by using your mobile phone to gently touch the NFC reading area under the exhibit, the information about the work will be displayed immediately on your phone.

In Venice, Italy, the application of NFC is more common, particularly in public services and information services from tickets, parking, public bicycle rental, building access cards to school service management, cashier and travel routes.

Do not think that NFC is a new feature that has only recently emerged. As a matter of fact, it was invented in 2012 but at the time it was of not so much use so the mobile phone manufactures remove it in order to save costs.

Nowadays, however, cashless payment can been seen everywhere so NFC has come alive again to bring convenience into our life.

Speaking of this, some may wonder that now that there is QR code, is it still necessary to carry NFC in the phone? Well, in fact, the use of QR code is limited and it can not be used without network.

NFC, however, can simulate the access card and flash payment function without network or even unlocking the phone. So it is obvious that NFC is easier and more convenient.

How to activate NFC on your phone

After the introduction of NFC, you may want to have a try of this strong function. So here we will tell you how to use NFC on Android and iPhone. But the premise is that your phone have NFC tag inserted.

For Android users

It is quiet easy to activate NFC. Firstly, navigate to Setting on your phone, and then find the More.

After tapping it, you will see the Near Field Communication and then switch it from off to on.

For iPhone users

Unlike Android The NFC function is quiet limited in iOS system which can be only used as Apple Pay.

You should also go to Settings and then scroll down, then find the Wallet and Apple Pay and click on it.

In addition, if you want to use the NFC function, you should click Add Card to add the bank card you want.

Though it has been carried on many smartphones, it is easily overlooked by most people. But  the function and usage of NFC is beyond our imagination. It is believed that it will reach far beyond mobile devices in the coming days and enjoy a brighter future.