What is NFC? NFC Technology You Need to Know

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: April 04, 2019

NFC is something you may hear mentioned with regard to smartphones, but do you know what NFC stands for or what it NFC means for your phone in particular? In this article, we would like to introduce how to use NFC on your smartphone to do useful things.

What is NFC?

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. Essentially, it's a way for your phone to interact with something in close proximity. It operates within a radius of about 4 cm and provides a wireless connection between your device and another. This allows for two-way communication, with both devices involved being able to send and receive information. This NFC connection does not rely on Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE or otherwise, and it doesn't cost anything to use.

How does NFC Work?

At the time of writing the NFC standard has three modes of operation: the peer-to-peer mode that lets two smartphones swap data, a read/write mode in which one active device picks up info from a passive one, and card emulation, in which an NFC device such as a smartphone can be used like a contactless credit card.

There are some security issues with NFC, but they are manageable, if not minor. For one thing, if someone can get close enough to you with an NFC reader, they can read off the contents of your NFC-enabled device. But I expect I would notice someone thrusting a card reader inches away from my phone. Still, it is a concern.

NFC Functionality

No.1 Read credit card information

Open the NFC function and paste the bank card to the back of the phone to read the basic information of the bank card and the transaction record of the bank card.

NO.2 Make a payment via NFC chip

NFC can also be used to make mobile payments from your smartphone or smartwatch. Download Google Pay via the link below, add your credit or debit card details, then use it in any store that has a contactless payment terminal.

In the US at least, customers can use Apple Pay with their iPhone, or Korean folks can use Samsung Pay with Galaxy devices.

NO.3 Connect to the NFC Bluetooth speaker

Many Bluetooth speakers on the market are also equipped with NFC for user convenience. If the mobile phone has NFC function, as long as the NFC function is turned on, and the NFC Bluetooth speaker is touched gently, it will automatically connect with the speaker. Compared with the traditional Bluetooth speaker, the operation is much simpler.

The NFC phone can also be used for file transfer, and it is convenient to use NFC for file transfer without a network. That is to say, the NFC functions of both mobile phones are turned on, and the back-to-back stickers can be used for mutual transfer of pictures, documents and the like.

Is there an NFC technology on your phone? What have you done with NFC? Welcome to leave a message.