NFC tags are not new - nevertheless, they are becoming increasingly important in modern everyday life. Because NFC technology is not only used for mobile payments. Whether you want to refine your smart home or share your contact information with business contacts: the small chips help you with this. But what is an NFC tag and how can you use it for yourself?

What are NFC tags?

The abbreviation NFC stands for Near Field Communication. With this short-range communication, you can transfer information, such as your contact information, over short distances. The result is a practical communication from device to device and easier data handling.

Most of the time, the chips are housed in a discreet case, which you can easily attach to your mobile phone. Then you can share your contact information as often as you like via electromagnetic induction.

However, NFC tag applications are not limited to just your digital business card. They can also make your daily life easier and advance your business. NFC stickers are particularly popular for creating more structure. However, the respective application case decides whether a plastic-coated tag, sticker, or NFC button makes more sense. If you plan on using them extensively, bundles with different contents are also perfect.

Types of NFC chips

The NFC chip is the heart of the NFC tags. No matter how you want to use this technology for yourself: Without a memory chip with the ability to transfer data, it is impossible. There are a total of 4 standardized types for NFC tags. The trade names for them are: NXP DESFire, NXP DESFire EV1, and NXP SmartMX-JCOP. They are either active or passive tags with different technical characteristics.

NFC tags for Android and iPhone

If you want to use NFC tags on Android or iOS, you may need an app. In particular, the iPhone is not always able to scan the tags on your cards. However, there are now devices with an integrated NFC tag reader. Reading the contained information works smoothly as long as the distance between the chip and the device is small enough.

To share your data, you can for example, attach an NFC sticker to a business card. The information stored on it will be displayed on your smartphone as soon as the transmission starts. And of course, with a possible contact person as well.

Programming NFC tags yourself - what are the benefits?

Filling your NFC chip with data yourself has various advantages. The most important of them is your flexibility. After all, only one app is required. This allows you to store data on NFC products, for example, from a business package.

Depending on the storage

Depending on the storage capacity of the NFC stickers, you can combine different actions. For example, it is possible to make phone calls and have text read out loud. Or you can connect to a protected Wi-Fi network. Programming these tags gives you the opportunity to customize them exactly to your needs.

The NFC tag and its applications

The NFC tag has applications in a wide range of areas. This makes it a useful companion on your keychain. Especially complex automations can be greatly simplified when controlled with NFC tags.

Smart lock and smart alarm system

If you protect your home with an alarm system, the NFC button takes care of the manual input. As soon as you leave the apartment, you only have to hold your smartphone to the tag. This will turn on the system without any further action required. At the same time, you can open your smart lock front door using NFC.

Access to the Wi-Fi

Instead of manually typing in the Wi-Fi password, you can set up a guest access using NFC. A NFC sticker is best suited for this, which your guests can simply hold their smartphones near to automatically gain access without you having to look up the login details.

Checking the contents of boxes

Drawers, boxes, or chests: You can program these with a sticker so that you can read what is inside. This data transfer ensures that you always know what is inside without having to open or empty the box.

Conclusion - NFC tags are extremely versatile

NFC tags are extremely versatile and help you simplify your everyday life. Especially complex tasks can be automated in no time. Nevertheless, they are also suitable for other forms of data transfer, such as your digital business card. While simple models are sufficient for private use, you can pay attention to the appropriate design in a business context, such as including your own logo on the NFC tags.