These days, many countries across the globe have all grown accustomed to tapping things on other things. Many of their daily activities include placing one gadget next to another, whether it’s tapping a smart watch on an entry gate when using public transport or a credit card on a payment device. These gadgets are all equipped with NFC technology. NFC, or near field communication, is a technology that enables wireless communication between devices. It is generally used for contactless payment methods like Apple Pay. It’s also used for sharing data and establish connections with NFC-capable devices, such as printers and speakers.
But when it comes to NFC, India is not on the same page with the rest of the world. In the entire country, technology is still in its early stages, and few people are aware of its advantages and applications. However, there are countless options made possible by NFC tech and for this reason, in this post, we’ll explain how to activate it on your iPhone.
Necessary Preconditions
From the iPhone 7 onwards, users can use apps to read NFC tags. The big game-changer was when Apple brought background tag reading to the iPhone XR and XS, which made it possible to interact with NFC tags without the need for an app.
These iPhone models are all equipped with NFC, thus using it won’t need installing any extra hardware. You might need to make sure that your iPhone is running the most recent version of iOS in order to utilize all of the NFC capabilities.
The “Settings” app can be used to look for and apply software upgrades. First, pick “General,” and then “Software Update.” If there’s a software update available, download and install it by following the instructions. Keep in mind that in order to perform a software update, your iPhone might need to be connected to Wi-Fi and have enough battery life.
How to Turn on NFC on iPhone?
For the majority of iPhones, you may be able to scan any card or pass that is saved in the Wallet app using your camera without ever turning it on. On the other hand, if needed, activating NFC on an iPhone is a straightforward process. And these are the steps you should take –
- Open your iPhone’s “Settings” app.
- After swiping down, select “Wallet & Apple Pay.”
- The option to enable “NFC Scanning or NFC tag reader” can be found there. Turn this switch “On”.
Your iPhone should now have NFC enabled. You can use it for a number of things, like exchanging data with other NFC-capable devices and conducting contactless payments with Apple Pay.
Using NFC on an iPhone
NFC performs a variety of functions on an iPhone in addition to accepting payments. Knowing how it operates will enable you to make the most of NFC on your iPhone. Here are some ways you can use it, along with tips on troubleshooting issues that may arise:
Using Apple Pay to make contactless payments
If your iPhone has NFC enabled, you may use Apple Pay to pay for goods and services at participating retailers just by bringing your phone up to the payment terminal. Before you can use this function, you must add a credit or debit card to your account and set up Apple Pay on your iPhone.
Information sharing with other NFC-capable devices
NFC allows you to transfer files, contacts, documents, and photos with other devices. You must have the relevant app loaded on your iPhone in order to accomplish this, such as the “Contacts” or “Files” apps for sharing contacts or files, respectively.
Connecting to NFC-enabled devices
NFC technology enables you to link your iPhone to other gadgets, including speakers or printers. For this to function, the other device and your iPhone must be close to each other and support NFC. It’s possible that certain devices need to be paired before you can connect them.
Reading NFC tags
NFC allows you to read NFC tags, such those on merchandise or posters. To read the tag, open the “Wallet” app on your iPhone and set it next to it. Your iPhone will immediately show information on your screen if the tag has information it can recognize.
It’s important to remember that not all locations or carriers may support all NFC functions. For instance, not all countries may accept Apple Pay; in such cases, you may need to use the proprietary NFC payment solutions that some carriers provide.
Ways to fix common problems with NFC on your iPhone
- Ensure that NFC is turned on: To check if NFC scanning is enabled, open the “Settings” app and click on “Wallet & Apple Pay”.
- Check that your iPhone is within range: Make sure your iPhone is sufficiently near the other device or NFC tag you’re attempting to interface with, as NFC is limited to short distances of operation.
- Restart your iPhone: Try restarting your iPhone to see if it fixes the problem if you’re experiencing problems reading an NFC tag or connecting to another device.
- Update your iPhone’s software: If you’re having trouble using NFC, you might be able to resolve the issue with a software update. To find and install any updates that are available, open the “Settings” app, choose “General,” and then “Software Update”.
- Check the documentation/support resources for the app/device: For troubleshooting tips, consult the documentation or support resources offered by the app or device maker if you’re experiencing issues utilizing a specific app or device with NFC.