Here's How to Program NFC (Step-by-Step Guide)

In this blog post, I’m going to talk about programming NFC. We get a lot of questions about this topic, so I thought it would be a good idea to explain it in detail.

To clear up any confusion, programming NFC isn’t difficult and can easily be done on your own. Although the term “programming” sounds complicated, it’s actually not that hard. Before I give you the step-by-step guide on how to program NFC, I’ll first discuss the different ways you can program NFC.

What are the ways to program NFC?

You’ve surely heard the saying: there are many roads that lead to Rome. This saying also applies to programming NFC. In fact, there are several ways to program NFC. There are mainly two widely used methods, the most popular of which is programming with a cell phone. This can be either an Android or an Apple device. Previously, NFC could only be programmed using an Android phone, but since Apple’s update (iOS 13), it’s also possible with an Apple device. Additionally, programming is possible using an NFC reader/writer. This is a device with a USB port that can be connected to a computer. Using the included software, you can easily write to NFC.

Which devices can I use to program NFC?

Not only are there multiple ways to program NFC, but there are also multiple devices you can use to do so. As you read in the previous paragraph, it’s possible to program NFC using both Apple and Android devices. But keep in mind that not every Apple device supports this feature. Only Apple devices running iOS 13 or later support this feature. Android, on the other hand, has no such limitation. You can write to NFC tags using any Android device.

Securing NFC tags

In the previous paragraphs, we discussed the ways you can program NFC and which devices are compatible. If you choose to program NFC using a cell phone, you have a variety of apps to choose from.

Apple Store Do you have an iPhone? Then use the NFC Tools app. It lets you easily read and write NFC data.

Play Store Do you use an Android phone? If so, we recommend two popular apps for reading and writing NFC data, namely:

-NFC Tagwriter
-NFC Taginfo

How do I program NFC?

Time required: 5 minutes.

How do I program NFC?

1. Turn NFC 'ON' on your smartphone
   Android
   Go to SETTINGS -> WIRELESS AND CONNECTIONS -> ON.
   Don't worry this setting does not affect your battery life. So you can just keep the NFC feature ON.
   
   Apple
   You don't have to do anything! Apple has NFC turned on by default.
   
2. Download the NFC app
   Android
   Go to PLAY STORE -> search for NFC TAGWRITER -> DOWNLOAD
   
   Apple
   Go to APPLE STORE -> Search for NFC TOOLS -> DOWNLOAD
   
3. Open the NFC app
   Open the NFC app on your smartphone
   
4. WRITE-> NEW DATA SET
   Then click "Write" and then "New data set".
   
5. Select the data
   Click on the data you want to program onto the NFC chip, such as a link, contact information, Bluetooth, phone number, text, SMS, etc. In this example, we’ll program a link onto the tag.
   
6. Fill in the data
   Leave the description blank. Under URL, enter the link you want to program on the tag with the title.
   
7. WRITE -> CONFIRM OVERWRITE -> WRITE
   Click write, then confirm overwrite by pressing write again.
   
8. Program the tag
   Hold the NFC chip up to your phone, and you’ll see the message: SAVED SUCCESSFULLY. Finally, tap DONE.
   
   Great, your NFC product is now programmed!

Programming with an NFC writer

An NFC writer is a device or software that can store data on an NFC tag. It allows you to easily add information to an NFC tag, such as contact information, URLs, events, or commands.

To use an NFC writer, follow these steps:

1. Make sure you have an NFC tag and an NFC writer.
2. Put the NFC tag near the NFC writer.
3. Launch the NFC Writer app on your device.
4. Enter the desired data in the NFC writer app.
5. Click 'Write' or 'Program' to save the data on the NFC tag.
6. Remove the NFC tag from the NFC writer when programming is complete.

Why use an NFC writer?

There are some reasons why you might use an NFC writer instead of a mobile application to program NFC tags:

1. Speed: an NFC writer is faster at programming NFC tags than a mobile application.
2. Reliability: some NFC writers are specifically designed for programming NFC tags and thus offer more reliability than a mobile application.
3. Versatility: some NFC writers can not only program NFC tags, but also read and manage NFC cards or keys.
4. Convenience: an NFC writer is usually easier to use than a mobile application and does not require connection to a smartphone or tablet.

However, it is also true that mobile applications like NFC Tools offer a lot of flexibility because you can use them anywhere you have a smartphone or tablet. So it depends on the specific situation and personal preference which option is best for you.