What is NFC Tag Reader iPhone and How to Use It

There are many new functions in iOS 14, especially for NFC Tag Reader iPhone and App Clips. By using the two features, your life will be much more convenient than ever.

What is NFC and NFC Tag Reader

What is NFC?

To learn NFC tag reader, you need to know what NFC is first. NFC: the abbreviation of Near Field Communication, is short-range wireless communication technology. It contains the integration of non-contact radio frequency identification (RFID) and interconnection technology. By integrating the functions of the inductive card reader, inductive card, and point-to-point communication on a single chip, you can use mobile terminals to achieve mobile payment, electronic ticketing, identification, anti-counterfeiting, and other applications.

However, in the iOS device, the NFC can only be used with Apple Pay for payment before Apple release the NFC Tag Reader.

What is NFC Tag Reader?

NFC Tag Reader is a new feature that comes up with iOS 14, as well we App clips. That is to say, NFC Tag Reader needs to use with App clips together.

You can use NFC Tag Reader to read App clips. As there are different App clips, NFC Tag Reader helps in various situations, such as making payments, activating locks, opening doors, and many others.

Which iPhone Supports NFC Tag Reader

As it is a built-in feature of iOS 14, if you want to use it, your device must be compatible with iOS 14. Besides, the second condition is that the device should be the model of the iPhone 7 and later. Please check the devices that support NFC Tag Reader below:

• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 2020

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s also contain the NFC feature, but you can only use them for payment. Thus, if you are a user with iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s, you cannot use NFC Tag Reader to find App clips.

How to Enable iPhone NFC Reader

The NFC Tag Reader is useful for users to make payments or other features with specific App clips. To learn how to enable the NFC Tag Reader iOS 14/15, check the steps below:

1. From the home screen, find and open settings.
2. Scroll down to find and enter the Control Center feature.
3. There will be lots of options for you to choose from in MORE CONTROLS.
4. Look for NFC Tag Reader.
5. Tap the plus icon at the front of the option to add it into the Control Center.
6. Go back to the home screen and swipe your iPhone screen to enter Control Center. According to your iPhone model, it should swipe down or swipe up.
7. Now check if there is the NFC Tag Reader in the Control Center and start to use it.

How to Use NFC Tag Reader iPhone

After enabling the feature, you need to know how to use NFC Tags iPhone. Please check the guide below:

For iPhone X and the device before it, you need to go to Control Center to enable NFC Tag Reader and then use iPhone to discover the tags and scan content. Please keep in mind that the iPhone should be near the tags you want to find.

For the models after iPhone X, you will not need to enable NFC Tag Reader as they can scan the NFC tags automatically when your device screen is on. No matter your device is locked or unlocked, the screen affects it.

How to Use Apple NFC Tag Reader App

As the devices before iPhone XS cannot read NFC tags in the Shortcut app, you may need to download an NFC Tag Reader app to achieve this. You can easily find these apps from App Store, and the most recommended ones are:

• NFC Tools
• NFC for iPhone
• NFC TAP

The apps above are free to use and provide pro features with purchasing. You can check and use the most suitable one.

Now you know what NFC Tag Reader iPhone, and how to use the feature. You can use it with App clips to make your life easier.