NFC tag off or on: Is this possible?

NFC tags: What are they?

NFC (Near Field Communication) tags are small, wireless chips that can store and transfer information. They are used to exchange data between two NFC-compatible devices or between an NFC-compatible device and an NFC tag. NFC tags can be built into a variety of products, such as poster, products or phone cases, and are designed to quickly and easily exchange data, such as information about products, contact information, etc.

Turn NFC tag off or on

Turning off or on an NFC tag, is this possible? A question we are often asked. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to write an article about this. The short answer is no. You cannot turn an NFC tag off or on. On the other hand, you can turn off or on the NFC function on your phone. I'll tell you exactly why this is so.

Why you can't turn off NFC tags

An NFC tag does not have a battery. This means that an NFC chip can never run out of power. This is because the near-field communication technology works in a special way. The chip starts working only when it comes into contact with another NFC chip. This NFC chip is in a device with a battery, such as a smartphone. When both chips come into contact, the current from one NFC chip (in the device) will be collected via the antenna of the other NFC chip. This current is then used to transfer the data in the chip to the device. We call this interaction near-field communication.

You cannot turn off NFC tags on iPhone devices because NFC is built into the iPhone's hardware and cannot be optionally removed. It is designed to always be available and work with compatible apps and applications, such as contactless payment and exchanging data with other NFC devices.

Although you can't disable the feature, you can set certain restrictions on NFC on your iPhone. You can do this by restricting certain apps from accessing NFC, or by setting certain security settings for NFC-based activities.

Moreover, since NFC is an important and integral feature for the iPhone, it is not recommended to disable it as it may affect the functionality of certain apps and applications.

Turning off NFC tags is unnecessary

Because the NFC chip uses the power of the device it comes into contact with, no battery is needed. This means that an NFC chip is therefore always on "off" until it comes into contact with another NFC chip. So turning off NFC tags is impossible, and if it could be done it would be redundant. On the other hand, you can choose to turn off the NFC function on your phone.

Since NFC tags do not have their own source of energy, they have no control over exchanging information with NFC readers and cannot be turned off. Instead, NFC tags must be physically removed from their location to prevent them from being read or exchanging information with an NFC reader.

Therefore, it is not possible to turn off NFC tags, but you can make sure they are not read by, for example, putting a secure cover or placing an NFC blocker between the NFC tag and the reader.

Turn off NFC feature on your phone

Are you skeptical about NFC or contactless payment on your phone? Or do you want to stop NFC notifications because you don't use it anyway? You can choose to deactivate the NFC feature on your phone. Keep in mind that this is only possible on devices equipped with the Android operating system. For example, NFC on Samsung. On an iPhone, it is not possible to turn the NFC function off or on.

Turning off or on NFC on an Android is as follows:

Turn off NFC Samsung

You can disable NFC on Samsung devices by following these steps:

1. Go to the "Settings" on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Scroll down to "Connectivity" or "Networking" and tap "NFC and Wireless Sharing."
3. Set the switch next to "NFC" to "Off."

On some Samsung devices, you can also temporarily disable the NFC feature by tapping the button for NFC in the Quick Settings tray.

Note: Depending on the specific Samsung model and software version, the exact steps may vary slightly. In this case, it is best to consult the user manual or online support for specific instructions.

Turn off NFC on Sony, Huawei and Nexus

To turn off NFC on a Sony, Huawei or Nexus phone, follow these steps:

1. Go to the "Settings" on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Scroll down to "Connectivity" or "Networking" and tap "NFC and Wireless Sharing."
3. Set the switch next to "NFC" to "Off."

The consequences of turning off NFC on Android

When you disable NFC on an Android device, there are some consequences:

1. It is no longer possible to use NFC tags: This means you can no longer use NFC-based functionalities such as contactless payments or sharing data with other NFC devices.
2. Restrictions on certain apps: Some apps are specifically designed to work with NFC tags, and will no longer work if NFC is disabled.
3. Missed opportunities: If you turn off NFC, you miss the opportunity to take advantage of new and future applications of NFC.
4. Saving battery life: NFC consumes a little bit of battery, so by disabling it, you can expect some battery savings.

Keep in mind that the specific consequences of disabling NFC on an Android device depend on your device and the specific use of NFC tags.