You Are Neglecting NFC—Here Is What Your iPhone Can Truly Accomplish

Many individuals believe that NFC functionality on the iPhone is limited to Apple Pay; nevertheless, it possesses significantly greater capabilities. By implementing minor configurations and utilizing inexpensive NFC tags, you may fully harness the capabilities of NFC and enhance the functionality of your iPhone.

4. Facilitate the Sharing of Wi-Fi Information

It is unnecessary to uncomfortably articulate your 20-character Wi-Fi password when a guest arrives. We have all experienced the moment of reading the small sticker on the back of our router while our acquaintance inputs the information on their phone.

iPhones provide the effortless transfer of Wi-Fi credentials using a function that utilizes both NFC and Bluetooth technology. This is the operational procedure: When an individual attempts to connect to your Wi-Fi network while you are already connected, a notification will show on your iPhone inquiring if you wish to share the password. Merely select Share Password, and their device is connected—no manual entry, no QR codes, no errors.

This procedure is particularly advantageous in a residence or workplace with several equipment. The feature operates well, if both individuals are in each other's contacts and utilizing iOS. It is a minor convenience that allows us to overlook the necessity of sticky notes for our Wi-Fi information.

3. Initiate Automations and Applications with a Single Tap

This is where NFC truly begins to evoke a sense of enchantment. Integrating NFC tags with the Shortcuts software on your iPhone enables the automation of several daily chores. Simply position your iPhone adjacent to a tag to initiate one of the most effective iPhone Shortcuts or automations.

Desire a shopping list to appear when you are in proximity to the refrigerator? Affix an NFC tag to the adjacent cabinet and synchronize it with a Shortcut that launches your grocery application. Require a tag adjacent to your bed to facilitate relaxation? Configure it to deactivate the lights, activate Do Not Disturb mode, and establish your morning alarm simultaneously.

These tags are inexpensive on Amazon, and their installation is unexpectedly simple. Simply launch the Shortcuts app, establish a personal automation, and choose NFC as the trigger. Subsequently, scan your tag and select the desired activities it should execute.

The one constraint is that your iPhone must be unlocked during tag scanning, and tags affixed to metallic surfaces are challenging to read. Alternatively, it is an exceptionally effective method for transforming physical environments into intelligent, customized areas.

Indeed, it is possible to configure routines that activate based on geographical location. However, if you work remotely, this may provide a challenge as your residence and workplace are essentially the same location.

2. Rapidly Exchange Contact Information

There is nothing more frustrating than incorrectly inputting someone's phone number—whether for a romantic engagement or professional purposes—into your device. Apple introduced a new feature in iOS 17 that mitigates that concern, utilizing NFC technology to facilitate its use.

NameDrop is a feature that remains mostly unfamiliar to many individuals, despite some baseless privacy concerns during its initial launch. When activated (enabled by default), NameDrop facilitates the effortless sharing of your phone number by positioning your iPhone adjacent to another device, resulting in the simultaneous display of both contact cards on the screen. You may subsequently opt to share your contacts with the other individual, facilitating the sharing of information.

It employs a synthesis of NFC and the technology that facilitates AirDrop to automatically detect the proximity of two iOS devices. This is an excellent method to convert your contact card into a virtual business card.

If the individual you are connecting with does not possess an iPhone, you may still utilize Shortcuts to establish an NFC-based automation that activates a digital contact card link (such as a Linktree or vCard hosted on your website), although the process is somewhat more complex.

1. Configure Devices Without Inputting Information

Unbeknownst to you, several of your preferred Apple goods already utilize NFC to streamline the setup procedure.

Consider AirPods, for instance. Upon opening the case near your iPhone, a seamless animation appears on your screen prompting you to connect. There is no necessity to search through Bluetooth settings or locate small pairing buttons.

The complete "tap to connect" functionality is facilitated by NFC, operating discreetly in the background. This applies equally to items such as the HomePod mini and AirTags. Simply bring your iPhone nearby, and the setup process will commence instantly, facilitated by inbuilt NFC triggers.

Although iPhones do not provide comprehensive NFC background scanning as Android devices do, Apple's implementation of NFC for effortless pairing demonstrates the technology's potential when utilized well.

It is simple to underestimate the use of NFC when our focus is solely on its role in facilitating mobile payments. With minimal effort, NFC may become into a formidable instrument for managing your smart home and facilitating connections with others.