How NFC tags work (and why you don't need an app)
By Kishan & Jinal, PrintPluto · Ottawa, Canada
An NFC tag is a tiny chip with an antenna, about the size of a coin, that a phone can read when you hold it close. NFC stands for near field communication. It's the same technology behind tap-to-pay, just used to share information instead of money.
When someone taps one of our tags, their phone opens whatever the tag points to: an Instagram profile, a WhatsApp chat, an emergency contact page or a medical profile. There's nothing to install and no battery to charge.
Which phones can read an NFC tag?
- iPhone XS and newer read NFC tags automatically, as long as the phone is unlocked.
- iPhone 7, 8 and X can read tags too, using the NFC reader in Control Center.
- Almost every Android phone from the last several years has NFC. On some models it's switched off in Settings, under Connected devices or Connections.
If a phone can't read NFC, there's no harm done: nothing happens. That's why our emergency and medical tags also print the most important words on the front.
Where to tap
The NFC antenna is in a different spot on each phone. On an iPhone it's the top edge, near the front camera. On most Android phones it's on the back, around the middle. On foldables it's usually near the hinge. Unlock the phone first, then hold the tag still against that spot for a second.
See pictures of where to tap on each kind of phone in our how to tap guide.
What can someone see when they tap?
Only what the tag points to. An NFC tag doesn't track anyone, can't read anything from the phone that taps it, and doesn't know who tapped it. For social media tags, the person sees your public profile. For our medical tags, they see the profile you filled in and chose to share, and only you can change it, with your own PIN.
Can the link be changed later?
Our social media, pet, luggage and kids tags are rewritable: you can point them at a new link or phone number any time with a free app such as NFC Tools. Medical tags are different on purpose. Each one has a permanent, locked link to its own secure profile, so nobody can overwrite it, and you update the profile itself instead.
Social Media NFC KeychainTap it with a phone to open your Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Linktree or any link you choose.See our social media NFC keychains