What is NFC?

NFC stands for “Near-Field Communication;” a system common with most smartphones these days, and allows for close range transfer of information across smart devices. Inside a device, it comes as a special chip dedicated to that purpose. Inside a device, it comes as a special chip dedicated to that purpose, and may be turned on and off under peculiar situations. It allows for close proximity exchange of relevant information such as contact details, and contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Contactless Visa Card, etc.

In times past some manufacturers labelled their devices with the N logo (further below) to imply or reflect the integration of NFC; this was fashionable especially because the technology was new and thus a major selling point for devices that had it.

These days NFC has become quite standard on most smart devices and so labelling them as such has lost its essence.

So how do you get to know whether your particular phone has NFC built into it?

To be certain whether your particular handset has this technology built into it, you may follow the following steps…

Android phones

1. Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
2. Select “Connected devices” or something similar.
3. Click “Connection preferences“.
4. Look out for “NFC options“.

If “NFC options” is there, then the phone has NFC technology built into it; else chances are that it does not have NFC.

iPhones

All iPhones from the iPhone 6 series have NFC integrated as a standard feature; however, the iPhone 6 series in particular has limited NFC capabilities. If your iPhone is not iPhone 6 series or lower, then it definitely has full NFC capabilities compatible with the smart business card. In essence all iPhone models from iPhone 7 series (running iOS 14 or later) to more recent models have full NFC capabilities, and thus compatible with the smart business card.

NFC, but why and how?

In a lot of devices, the NFC is off by default factory settings (or even go off soon after using it) so even if your device has NFC integrated into it, you may need to activate (turn on) the chip first before you can make use of NFC applications. Where necessary, follow the steps above, and then…

Android phones

1. Click “NFC options”.
2. Toggle the “Use NFC” option on (or off where you want to turn it off).

iPhones

Most recent iPhones come with their NFC already turned on and active, and can be turned off where necessary. Much older compatible models such as iPhone 7 comes with the NFC turned off and inactive, and has to be turned on at the time of need; iPhone 13 and later may be the exceptions, with the NFC usually active.

For iPhone 7 series to iPhone 12 series (running iOS 14 or later) here is what to do…

1. Go to your Control Center (usually by swiping up from the bottom of the screen)
2. Locate and tap the NFC button; the NFC will be turned on as illustrated below…

At this point your iPhone is ready to read or receive information from an NFC tag, and will do so once an NFC tag comes within close proxmity.

In case you do not initially find the NFC button in the Control Centre, then you may need to add it from your phone’s settings; below is how to go about it…

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Select the “Control Center” option; as illustrated below.
3. Scroll down and tap the green plus button to the left of “NFC Tag Reader”; it will add the NFC button to the Control Center.
4. Proceed to the Control Center as earlier indicated further above.