NFC (Near Field Communication) is always turned on on modern iPhones (iPhone 7 and later) and cannot be manually disabled in settings. It operates automatically when the screen is active for Apple Pay, with the antenna located at the top edge of the device.
You don't typically "turn on" NFC on modern iPhones; it's always on for automatic functions like Apple Pay and tag reading, but you can enable the tag reader feature through the Shortcuts app by creating an NFC automation, which prompts a scan when near a tag. For older models (iPhone 7/8), you might add the NFC Tag Reader to the Control Center via Settings.
The more recent models of iPhone use what is called Background Tag Reading. This means that as long as the iPhone screen is on, your NFC Tag Reader is active and can read NFC tags if you place your iPhone nearby. Older models of iPhone require you to turn on the NFC Tag Reader manually in order for you to use NFC.
To enable NFC, go to your phone's Settings, search for "NFC," and toggle the switch on in Connections or Wireless & Networks, with slight variations for Android (search for 'NFC' or 'Contactless Payments') and iPhone (use the Shortcuts app for automation or check Wallet settings). On Android, it's usually under Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > NFC, while newer iPhones often have it active by default for payments, but you use the Shortcuts app to set up NFC tag reading.
Apple initially added support for NFC in 2014 with the iPhone 6, exclusively for Apple Pay. The breakthrough came with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, which added support for background NFC tag reading. This feature allows devices to detect and respond to NFC tags automatically without opening an app.
You can check whether your Google phone is enabled for NFC by opening your settings. In the search settings bar, type “NFC” and tap to turn it on. If you cannot find it following these steps, your phone cannot make contactless payments.
On iPhones (iOS/Apple) the NFC-antenna is on the back of iPhones at the top of the phone. To read the NFC tag with an iPhone, place the top edge of the back of the iPhone on the tag. On Android phones, the position of the NFC-antenna is dependent on the manufacturer of the Android device.
If you've ever wondered how to turn on NFC (Near Field Communication) on your iPhone, you might be surprised to learn that there's no switch for it. That's right—NFC is always running in the background of your device, silently ready to assist you when needed.
To test NFC, enable NFC in your phone's settings. Then, use an NFC-enabled tag or another phone with NFC, and bring the back of your phone near the NFC tag or device. If the phone responds with a sound, vibration, or on-screen prompt, your NFC is working properly.
Note that your NFC tags need to be encoded with data, such as a web address (URL), before they will scan. The iPhone will not normally respond to tags without encoding.
Bluetooth® is renowned for its longer-range communication capabilities and is used in a wide variety of devices, from mobile phones to fitness trackers. NFC, on the other hand, works in close proximity, and its main strength lies in enabling secure, contactless communication between devices at short distances.
The iPhone 16 has a well defined and focused NFC antenna along the top edge.
Apple Pay is simply Apple's own “version” of NFC. Google has their own version, too – it's called Google Wallet. But fundamentally, it's the same thing – both companies are using NFC to send short, secure communications between two devices.
iPhone 7 and onwards are NFC enabled. Apple makes things easy for NFC users, as iPhones come with NFC permanently switched on. Android Phones have supported NFC for much longer than iPhones.
You can find NFC settings in your phone's Settings app, usually under Connections, Connected Devices, or Network & Internet, often by searching "NFC" and toggling the switch to On for features like contactless payments and file sharing. On iPhones, NFC is generally always on for background tasks, but you manage it for payments and automation within the Shortcuts app or Wallet settings.
The iPhone Xs, Xs Max, Xr, 11, 11 Pro, 12 and 12 Pro have NFC for payments and can read NFC tags with or without an additional App. In addition, these iPhones can encode NFC tags when running iOS 13 or iOS 14 software.
The iPhone 17 Pro can read all standard NFC chips including the popular NXP NTAG213 and other NTAG series tags such as the NFC authentication grade NTAG424.. As with Android, Seritag recommended avoiding the larger memory NTAG216 chips. The iPhone 17 Pro has a well defined and focused NFC antenna along the top edge.
The N-Mark is the most visible and identifiable symbol of NFC technology and should be treated with care so as not to disrupt this instant recognition. The N-Mark must always be reproduced exactly as specified in the following pages. It should not be altered or recreated in any way.
NFC connectivity is now a standard feature in modern smartphones. Since the iPhone 6, all Apple devices have been NFC-enabled. Most Android devices also feature NFC functionality.