How to Write an NFC Tag Using Your Smartphone

NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its versatility and ease of use. If you have an NFC-enabled smartphone and an NFC tag (card, sticker, or keychain), you can program it with useful information tailored to your daily needs. This article shows you how to write to an NFC tag directly from your phone.

What is an NFC Tag?

An NFC tag is a small chip that can store data readable or writable via close contact with a compatible device. These tags don’t require power and can be programmed for actions such as opening a website, connecting to Wi-Fi, sending a message, enabling silent mode, and more.

What Do You Need?

• An NFC-enabled smartphone
• A rewritable NFC tag (card, sticker, or keychain)
• A free app such as NFC Tools, TagWriter (NXP), or Smart NFC

How to Check If Your Phone Has NFC

On Android: go to Settings > Connections > NFC and enable it.
On iPhone: iPhones from model 7 and above have NFC, but only from iPhone XS onward can you write NFC tags (using special apps).

Steps to Write to an NFC Tag

1. Install the NFC Tools app (available on Google Play and the App Store).
2. Open the app and go to the “Write” section.
3. Tap “Add a record” and select the type of data (URL, text, call, Wi-Fi, etc.).
4. After entering the details, tap “Write”.
5. Hold the NFC tag close to the back of your phone until the success message appears.

Example Use Cases

• Office: automatically enable silent mode when arriving at work.
• Clients: create smart business cards linking to your online profile.
• Home: let guests connect to your Wi-Fi without typing the password.
• Business: automate quick actions for employees or access control systems.

Pro Tips

• Use only rewritable tags (not “read-only” ones).
• Tags with metal backing may require special models.
• Test the written tag before using it publicly.
• Avoid placing tags in hard-to-reach spots — phones must be near them to work.

Conclusion

NFC tags can transform the way you interact with your devices and surroundings. With just a smartphone, you can program them in seconds, no technical skills needed. Try this smart technology for daily convenience or business efficiency.