Help Center › NFC Tap
Overview
NFC Tagify cards contain a small NFC chip embedded in the card material. When someone holds the card near their phone, the phone reads the chip and opens your digital profile in their browser automatically. The whole process takes less than a second and requires no app on either side.
This page explains exactly what happens during a tap, which devices support it, and how to help someone who has trouble getting it to work.
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Step by step — what happens during a tap
1. The card is held near the phone
The person holds the NFC card near the back of their smartphone. NFC range is very short — typically 1–4 cm. The card should be flat against, or very close to, the back of the phone.
2. The phone detects the chip
The phone's NFC reader picks up the signal from the chip. This happens passively — no pairing, no Bluetooth, no Wi-Fi needed. NFC works completely independently of internet connectivity at this stage.
3. The phone gives a prompt
- On iPhone: A notification banner appears at the top of the screen. The user taps the banner to open the link.
- On Android: Depending on the phone and settings, the browser may open immediately, or a brief notification may appear asking the user to tap to open. On many Android phones with NFC enabled, the browser opens with no extra interaction required.
4. The profile loads in the browser
The browser opens your public profile page. Because the chip stores only a short URL (not your personal data), this step requires an internet connection on the recipient's phone. On most mobile connections this is instant, but the profile will not load if there is no signal at all.
5. The visitor sees your digital card
Your profile is displayed — photo, contact details, links, and the option to save your contact via vCard. See [Your Digital Business Card](./02-your-digital-card.md) for a full description of what appears.
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What the NFC chip actually stores
The chip in your NFC Tagify card stores only a URL — the web address of your profile. It does not store your name, phone number, email, or any other personal information.
This is important for two reasons:
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Device compatibility
NFC tap works on the vast majority of modern smartphones.
iPhone
| Model | NFC tap support |
|---|---|
| iPhone 6 and earlier | No NFC |
| iPhone 7 and 8 | NFC available, but background tag reading requires iOS 14+ |
| iPhone XS, XR, and later | Full background NFC reading — no extra steps |
| All iPhone models with iOS 14 or later | Supported (including older NFC-capable models updated to iOS 14+) |
On iPhones, the NFC reader is at the top of the phone. Hold the card near the top edge of the back of the phone for the best result.
Android
Most Android phones released since 2015 include NFC hardware. However, the feature must be enabled in settings.
To check NFC is on:
Settings → Connected devices (or Connections) → NFC → toggle on
The NFC antenna location varies by manufacturer. On most phones it is near the centre or top of the back panel. If tapping is not working, try moving the card around the back of the phone slowly.
Some Android phones may prompt the user to choose which app should handle NFC links. Selecting the browser will open the profile.
Other devices
- Tablets: Some Android tablets have NFC; iPads do not support NFC tag reading.
- Windows phones / other: Not supported.
- Desktop computers / laptops: NFC tap does not apply, but profiles can always be opened via the link or QR code.
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What the visitor sees
Once the profile loads, the visitor sees your standard public profile page in their browser. There is no app, no signup, and no account required. The page is designed to work well on small screens.
From there, they can:
- Tap a button to call or email you directly
- Open your social media or website links
- Save your contact details to their phone using the "Add to Contacts" button
- Share your profile link
See [Saving a Contact — vCard Download](./03-vcard-download.md) for details on how contact saving works.
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Troubleshooting a tap that isn't working
Nothing happens when the card is held to the phone
- Check that NFC is enabled in the phone's settings (Android: Settings → Connected devices → NFC)
- On iPhone, ensure iOS is version 14 or later
- Try holding the card at different positions on the back of the phone — the antenna location varies
- Remove any very thick phone case, which can reduce NFC range
- Make sure the card is not damaged or bent
A notification appears but the profile doesn't load
- This is usually a network issue — the phone has read the chip successfully but cannot load the web page
- Try the tap again with a working mobile data or Wi-Fi connection
The wrong profile opens
- Each card is linked to one profile. If the wrong profile is showing, the card may need to be reassigned. See [Linking an NFC Card to Your Profile](./03-connect-nfc-card.md).
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Frequently asked questions
Does the person tapping need an account or app?
No. Tapping the card opens a standard web page. The recipient needs nothing installed.
Can the NFC chip be reprogrammed by someone else?
NFC Tagify cards are typically locked after the URL is written, so the chip cannot be overwritten without specialist equipment. [NEEDS VERIFICATION: whether cards are write-protected after shipping]
Does tapping drain my phone or the card's battery?
NFC chips in cards are passive — they have no battery. The chip draws a tiny amount of power from the phone's NFC reader for the fraction of a second needed to read the URL. The effect on battery life is negligible.
Can I use the card without a mobile data connection?
The chip can be read without internet, but loading the profile requires connectivity. Without mobile data or Wi-Fi, the browser will show an error page after the tap.
What if someone's phone is very old and doesn't support NFC?
They can use the QR code on the card (if printed) or you can share your profile link directly. Both methods open the same profile in any browser.
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Related: [Your Digital Business Card](./02-your-digital-card.md) · [Linking an NFC Card to Your Profile](./03-connect-nfc-card.md) · [Saving a Contact — vCard Download](./03-vcard-download.md)