NFC ( Near Field Communication ) is a wireless technology that allows data to be exchanged between two compatible devices at a short distance . With your iPhone, you can use NFC to pay contactlessly , share files, photos, contacts or links with other iPhone users, or interact with connected objects like NFC tags or Bluetooth speakers .
But how to activate NFC on your iPhone? Are all iPhone models compatible with NFC? What apps use NFC on your iPhone? In this article, we will answer all these questions and show you how to take full advantage of NFC with your iPhone.
How to activate NFC on your iPhone?
Solution 1
NFC is enabled by default on your iPhone. You don't need to make any special settings to use it. Simply bring your iPhone closer to another compatible device or connected object for communication to be established automatically.
However, you should know that NFC on your iPhone works in two different ways depending on the case:
Reading mode
It allows your iPhone to read the data contained in an NFC tag or a connected object. For example, you can scan a QR code with your camera or read a business card with your Contacts app. Reading mode is still active on your iPhone, even if you have turned off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The broadcast mode
It allows your iPhone to send data to another compatible device or to a contactless payment terminal. For example, you can pay with Apple Pay or share files with AirDrop. Show mode requires you to unlock your iPhone with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
Solution 2
If the first solution doesn't work, you can try enabling NFC step by step on your iPhone. Here's how to do it:
Step 1 : Verify that your iPhone is NFC compatible. Models from iPhone 6 and up can read NFC tags, but only models from iPhone XS and up can write them.
Step 2 : Enable NFC on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > Center Control > Customize Controls and add the QR/NFC Code Scanning shortcut.
Step 3 : Open Control Center by swiping from the top of the screen (or bottom to top if you have an iPhone with a Home button) and tap the QR/NFC Scan icon .
Step 4 : Bring your iPhone close to the NFC tag you want to read. A notification will appear on the screen with the content of the tag. You can tap it to open the corresponding application or perform the associated action.
Step 5 : If you want to write an NFC tag with your iPhone, you need to download a dedicated app, like NFC Tools or NFC TagWriter. Follow the app's instructions to choose the tag type and content, then hold your iPhone up to the blank tag to write it.
What apps use NFC on your iPhone?
NFC on your iPhone can be used by several native or third-party apps. Here are some examples :
Apple Pay
This is Apple's contactless payment service. It allows you to pay with your iPhone in stores, on public transport or in applications that accept Apple Pay. To use Apple Pay, you must add your credit card to the Wallet app and select it as your default card. Then, simply bring your iPhone closer to the contactless payment terminal and confirm with Face ID, Touch ID or your code.
AirDrop
It is the file sharing service between Apple devices. It allows you to send or receive photos, videos, documents or links with other nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac users. To use AirDrop, you need to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iPhone and choose who can send you files in Settings. Then, simply select the file to share and choose the recipient from the list of available devices. If you want to use File Explorer on iPhone to manage your local files or on iCloud Drive, you can do so by opening the file explorer app and navigating through the folders.
Wallet
This is the application that stores your bank cards, your loyalty cards, your plane tickets or your cinema tickets. It allows you to easily access and use your cards with NFC. For example, you can scan your plane ticket at the airport or your loyalty card at the supermarket with your iPhone. To use Wallet, you need to add your cards to the app and view them by swiping right from the lock screen.
Contacts
This is the application that manages your telephone contacts. It allows you to read or write business cards with NFC. For example, you can scan a person's business card with your camera or create your own business card with the Contacts app and share it with another iPhone user. To use Contacts with NFC, you need to enable the App Clip feature in Settings.
There are also other applications that use NFC on your iPhone to interact with connected objects such as Bluetooth speakers, headphones, smart lamps or interactive toys. You can find these applications on the App Store or on the website of the manufacturer of the connected object.
Which iPhone models are compatible with NFC?
NFC has been available on iPhones since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, released in 2014. All subsequent models also feature NFC. Here is the complete list of iPhone models compatible with NFC:
- iPhone 6 and 6 Plus
- iPhone 6s and 6s Plus
- iPhone SE (1st and 2nd generation)
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone X, XR, XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
Comparison table of iPhone models compatible with NFC
| Model | Year | Reading mode | Transmit mode |
| iPhone 6 / 6 Plus | 2014 | Yes | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| iPhone 6s / 6s Plus | 2015 | Yes | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| iPhone SE (1st generation) | 2016 | Yes | Yes (Apple Pay only) |
| iPhone 7 / 7 Plus | 2016 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 8 / 8 Plus | 2017 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone X/XR/XS/XS Max | 2018 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max | 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation) | 2020 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max | 2020 | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max | 2021 | Yes | Yes |
FAQ:
What is the difference between NFC and Bluetooth?
NFC and Bluetooth are two wireless technologies that allow data to be exchanged between two compatible devices. The main difference is range: NFC works at a maximum distance of a few centimeters while Bluetooth can reach several meters. NFC is therefore more suitable for quick and one-off interactions such as contactless payment or file sharing, while Bluetooth is more suitable for long-lasting connections such as music streaming or data synchronization.
How to know if your iPhone has NFC?
You can find out if your iPhone has NFC by checking its model in the settings. If you have an iPhone from iPhone 6 up to and including iPhone 13, then you have NFC on your device. You can also test NFC by bringing your iPhone closer to another compatible device or connected object and seeing if a notification appears on your screen.
How to disable NFC on your iPhone?
You can't completely disable NFC on your iPhone because it's necessary for certain features like Apple Pay or Wallet. However, you can limit its use by deactivating certain options in the settings. For example, you can turn off the App Clip feature that lets your iPhone read NFC tags associated with third-party apps. You can also disable the Control Center feature which allows your iPhone to scan QR codes with the camera.
Does NFC consume a lot of battery?
No, NFC does not consume much battery, because it is only active when you bring your iPhone closer to another compatible device or connected object. The rest of the time, it remains on standby and has no significant impact on the battery life of your device. On the other hand, if you use wireless charging , you will consume more battery than with a traditional charger.
Is NFC secure?
NFC uses an encryption protocol to protect the data exchanged. In addition, the short range of NFC limits the risks of interception or hacking. However, there are potential vulnerabilities, such as data theft by a malicious device close to yours or modification of tags to redirect to fraudulent sites. It is therefore recommended to deactivate NFC when you are not using it, and to check the source of the tags before scanning them.
