Many people have heard about this technology, but not everyone knows what NFC is, why a corresponding module is needed in a smartphone and what benefits it can bring to its owner.
By the way, this feature appeared in Samsung smartphones quite a long time ago - back in 2011. The very first Galaxy Note already included (though optionally) an NFC adapter, just like its “contemporary” Galaxy S2 (I9100). And the joint Samsung Nexus S had one back in 2010.
What is NFC?
The full decoding of this abbreviation is Near Field Communication, which can be translated as “near field communications.” It must be said that the range of the NFC antenna is actually very limited and usually does not exceed 10-20 cm.
This technology allows for contactless data exchange through the induction of a magnetic field, and both passive exchange (say, a card - terminal) and active (two smartphones) are possible.
The technology is found widely outside of mobile technologies, for example for transport cards or entry cards that rest against turnstiles.
Data transfer
Initially, there was no particular benefit from NFC technology in smartphones. For example, it made it possible to transfer data between two devices with almost instantaneous detection of the receiver, but it was associated with two inconveniences at once:
- Data transfer speed is almost at the level of the infrared port.
- The need to keep smartphones in close proximity to each other.
Thus, as a means of data transmission, NFC was clearly inferior to more convenient and faster solutions - Bluetooth and WiFi Direct.
Contactless mobile payments
NFC support in smartphones became a really useful thing, however, only with the release of Android 4.4 KitKat, where full support for emulating a contactless bank card with MasterCard PayPass and VISA PayWire technologies appeared.
Previously, it was only available for Nexus smartphones using the proprietary Google Wallet application (does not really work outside the US).
However, thanks to Android 4.4 KitKat and later versions, quite a large number of applications have already been released around the world that allow you to use a smartphone instead of a payment card.
By the way, with the help of special software, a smartphone can even be turned into a payment terminal that can accept MasterCard PayPass and VISA PayWire cards for payment.
Perhaps the most multifunctional application that allows you to issue a contactless bank card or connect an existing one.
Release of a new card:
- “Tinkoff” is a prepaid MasterCard PayPass card, there is the possibility of simplified identification for expanding limits and payments abroad. Using the card and SMS notifications is free. The downside is the lack of transaction history (only in SMS and upon request on the bank’s hotline). Free replenishment on the bank’s website and in many terminals.
- “Russian Standard” is a virtual MasterCard PayPass without identification and with low limits. It is useless when paying abroad. There is a transaction history.
You can also store discount cards from a variety of stores in the application without having to carry them with you every time.
It is possible to work on a rooted smartphone (a warning about disclaimer is issued).
This application also allows you to pay for smartphone purchases using VISA PayWire. To activate payment via NFC, the smartphone must have “clean” non-rooted firmware.
If you identify the “Standard” level and above, payment for goods and services abroad is available.
The contactless payment function appeared in this Android program relatively recently. Upon activation, a separate contactless card is generated and attached to the wallet. When paying, the payment is debited from the main balance.
Can work on smartphones with active root mode.
"Corn"
The application for the popular Russian payment system also supports contactless payment, and while the Kukuruza cards themselves are issued on MasterCard plastic, the virtual NFC card in the application is VISA PayWire.
In order to use contactless payment in the application, the user must have an active “Kukuruza” card and a non-rooted smartphone. Note that this function may not work on Chinese smartphones with NFC, which, according to the program, have a “strange” system that has been modified (due to the general crookedness of Chinese firmware).
Mobile application from Russian Standard Bank
In this application, it is possible to issue a contactless card for payments, and it is not at all necessary to be a bank client. However, there is no identification option even for existing customers, so the card has very limited limits and cannot be used to pay outside of Russia.
Mobile Privat24
This application may be useful for users of smartphones with NFC from Ukraine. Bank clients can create a virtual card for contactless payments using a smartphone. The card is attached to one of the existing accounts in any currency.
Emulation of electronic travel documents
Modern cards for travel on public transport (for example, the Moscow metro) are often based on NFC technology. Therefore, with the help of special programs, you can easily copy them and use your smartphone instead of a travel card.
Other uses
A smartphone with NFC module support can also be used as a terminal for reading/writing contactless cards. There are programs that allow you to unlock your smartphone screen using a contactless smart card.
Hello dear readers of this blog. In this article I will talk about interesting NFC technology. Many have already heard about this new product, but it was announced in 2004. The opportunity is most often used in smartphones based on Android or iOS, but there are many other devices where the technology is used, we will also talk about this.
NFC (Near field communication) – translated as “short-range non-contact communication”. There are several definitions. Used to provide communication between devices over a short distance, originally intended for contactless transactions. The actual distance for interaction is 10 cm.
We’ve talked about the definition, now let’s move on directly to analyzing all the nuances, history and places of use.
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How NFC works
It would seem that the function is very different from other wireless models, and is also inferior to them. The principle of NFC operation is that a device with a built-in module of this technology operates at a speed of approximately 400 Kbps (obviously inferior to Wi-Fi), interaction occurs at a distance of 10 cm, that is, you practically touch the devices to each other, although time connections are usually instantaneous.
The NFC module is very compact, so it can be built into not only smartphones, but also watches. It doesn't consume a lot of energy. For the module to work in the desired direction, the device must have an antenna. On phones it is usually on the back. Thus, touching the devices should provide instantaneous contact. If the device is large in size, for example, a tablet, then it is more difficult to find the point of interaction.
As for security, the creators didn’t think about it at all. Security must be implemented at the level of the device where the NFC module is used. In other words, if you use a payment system, then you don’t have to worry about the security of making payments. If your phone is lost or stolen, you will be to blame if you have not set at least a minimum level of protection as an unlocking device, for example, a pattern key, a fingerprint scanner or a PIN code.
Of course, the difference between NFC technology and other wireless solutions is that the technology is essentially a script, unlike Bluetooth, which clearly states that it must receive and receive data, or be able to connect with headphones and other devices. In NFC, various methods can be created independently, which will be implemented using software. In short, give free rein to your imagination and you can create a lot of interesting things.
By the way, I never said that the NFC function was created based on RFID identification. Usually these are so-called tags that allow you to automatically identify a device using a radio signal. This feature allows you to communicate with both active devices (powered by batteries) and passive ones (which do not require power).
What is the peculiarity of the technology and where is it used?
When it comes to smartphones, there are several applications for this type of device:
- Use as a payment system (linking credit cards, gift and discount cards);
- Transfer data between two devices (let me remind you, the distance between devices is at least 10 cm);
- Use as user identification;
- Bluetooth connection for data transfer;
- Reading RFID tags to obtain information, for example, from bulletin boards.
As already mentioned, NFC is most often used in smartphones and tablets running iOS. The thing is that we almost never part with our phone, so the integration of wireless technology was aimed primarily at mobile devices.
In the future, NFC technology will be used not only in mobile phones, but also in electronic keys, with a unique identifier, perhaps one that cannot be faked, when purchasing airline tickets, and indeed any tickets in general, and many other options.
Door locks and handles
By the way, now you don’t have to worry about losing the key to open the door, because there is a handle that has wireless high-frequency communication technology built into it. With any device (for example, a telephone), you can enter a corresponding tag that will open the door when presented. You can look for such a thing in Chinese online stores like Aliexpress.
Surprisingly, there are so-called smart locks. They not only have a key hole, but also a built-in NFC module. It can send a notification to your phone the moment you open the door (or someone tried to do it), and also if someone knocked. The lock can be connected via a network and controlled remotely. You can make electronic keys with built-in tags and distribute them to all family members or even friends.
NFC ring, what is it and how to use it
As already mentioned, if you have any thing with an NFC module, you can record almost any information. For example, you have a special ring. Using it, you can transfer contact information and do not need to carry all sorts of cards with you. It can also be used to open the same locks.
If there is no electricity in the house (and the lock is powered from it or from batteries), then the door can be opened with a key. In this case, you should play it safe and always carry the key with you when you leave.
Contactless payment
I have already written about this type of use of the above technology. Now in almost all cities of Russia, at least in one store, there is an ATM or reader that allows you to do so. You just need to link the card to an application such as Android Pay or Samsung Pay.
Fare payment
The same NFC will help you pay for your subway fare or go through a turnstile. To pay, you will need a special SIM card that supports this technology. Most likely, most operators now support it, but you’d better check.
Finally, you can use NFC in jewelry; some manage to embed it in tattoos, for example, to unlock a smartphone.
News on NFC Forum
Along with the development, a forum was founded where developers are trying to promote the technology in various household solutions, and smartphones, of course.
On the resource you can find the necessary information about NFC and news, most likely related to the compliance of standards in some devices.
What about security in devices with NFC
The use of various methods of unauthorized access to data via NFC has already been repeatedly mentioned. For example, in 2012, an exploit was created that allows you to insert malicious code into a smartphone and gain full access to everything that is in it, including managing the device.
If an attacker has the necessary antennas, then there is a chance to listen to a person via NFC; of course, with some skill, you can achieve wiretapping at a distance of a few meters maximum. An important fact is that a device powered by energy is easier to listen to than a passive version.
Through experiments, a disruption in the communication of devices was identified by jamming the signal. A radio signal is known to be very easy to distort, and the RFID module is very sensitive to this.
Why can't I use Bluetooth to perform the operation?
Bluetooth differs from NFC in that it has a long range, which makes the signal easy to intercept, as well as a short access time. NFC communicates with the device almost instantly.
NFC – which phones have it and how to enable it
I'll show you using an Android phone as an example. When purchasing, you probably read the characteristics of the smartphone, and there was probably a line “NFC support” there. If you don't remember, you can look it up in the system settings.
To begin, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade. It is quite possible that you will see an “NFC” option there.
If there is no function in the notification shade, then go to settings. I have Android 7.1.2 with the LineageOS shell, so I’ll show you with an example. In chapter " Wireless network» click on the button « More».
We are in a section where the NFC subsection is displayed, where you can enable it. There is also an Android Beam function that allows you to exchange data between devices and contactless payment, where you can select the main payment method.
How to use tags with an Android device
First, you need to find NFC tags. They can be used to run any Android application. For example, you are sitting behind the wheel, and it is not convenient for you to search for the right application every time and take your attention from the road. This is where a tag comes to the rescue; when you attach it to your smartphone, the application will instantly launch.
To write the necessary data to the tag, you need to download the NFC ReTAG application. Using it, you scan the tag, and then select the application that you want to launch when you bring it to your smartphone.
How to transfer files via NFC
Now touch the phone where you want to send the file and wait. In fact, this data transfer option is much inferior to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but if you need to transfer some top-secret data, then a short range and minimal probability of interception will ensure this.
In addition to standard file transfer using Android Beam, you can transfer:
- Open link in the browser;
- Data from Google Maps (of a specific route or location);
- Contacts – sent without a photo;
- Applications from Google – a link is sent;
- Any types of files - from text to media.
Creating marks
To create tags you will need a blank; the form factor can be to suit every taste. Regular round tags can be purchased both in Russia and on the Internet, for example, on Aliexpress for 80 rubles.
Now you can install the application on your smartphone (do we need to somehow write the information onto the tag?). I might suggest TagInfo or TagWriter.
The second utility can write the necessary data to the tag, we will need it today. The first one reads the information. You can write down anything, but since the tag has a very small volume (usually in bytes), some data, such as contacts, cannot always be recorded. More precisely, the contact itself will be recorded, but the photo attached to it will not. In future articles, I will show you how to create an NFC tag using the mentioned application.
That's all, now you know what NFC is, which phones have it and why it is used at all. It can be quite helpful in everyday life. If you have any questions, be sure to post in the comments.
The history of advanced NFC (Near Field Communication) technology dates back to 1983, when electrical engineer Charles Welton patented a “radio frequency identification emitter” that is functionally similar to an NFC chip. A phone using NFC technology appeared already in 2006. However, the boom in its popularity has occurred only in the last few years.
What is NFC on a phone?
The technology is used in most new generation phones and is a kind of addition to, and perhaps a replacement for, Bluetooth, which at one time also replaced the outdated IR port technology.
A feature of NFC is its short range (only 10 centimeters) and low throughput (up to 424 kbit/s). However, it does not pretend to provide high-speed transmission of large amounts of information. Instead, it is able to connect two devices in literally a few seconds (Bluetooth sometimes takes several minutes to establish a connection).
And due to the fact that all manipulations are carried out in close contact, there is no possibility of interception of personal data by attackers, which ensures security of the technology and allows it to be used in various everyday processes - for example, as an electronic pass, for paying for goods, or for reading NFC tags.
Is there a difference between NFC and Bluetooth?
Since Bluetooth and NFC technologies are in the same technological progression, it is impossible to do without comparing these two short-range wireless communication standards.
Today, although Bluetooth is objectively outdated and is not always implemented in modern smartphone models, it is still relevant, since most people still use old phones, and besides, manufacturers are still in no hurry to abandon this standard completely.
The most obvious difference between the two is the much slower transfer speed of NFC. But at the same time, it does not expend much energy and has an instant pairing speed.
At the same time, unlike Bluetooth, in NFC you do not need to search for devices and enter keys - the connection will occur automatically, after physical contact of two devices with this technology.
- NFC data transfer speed is 424kbps.
- The throughput of Bluetooth V2.1 is much higher: 2.1 Mbit/s.
- And the latest and most advanced versions of Bluetooth (3.1+HS) can transmit information at a speed of 40 Mbit/s.
With all this, NFC and Bluetooth work perfectly in one smartphone, only complementing each other’s shortcomings. For example, in Windows 8, when transmitting information via the NFC protocol, it will be downloaded to the phone via Bluetooth. NFC in this case is used only for fast communication.
How to check if your phone has NFC?
The NFC chip is usually embedded under the bottom rear panel of the smartphone. If necessary, it can be detected. However, not all devices are collapsible, not to mention the fact that not everyone is able to disassemble the phone without breaking it.
Therefore, the most reliable way to check the presence of the NFC protocol on your phone is to go to the network settings, go to the “Sharing & Connection” subsection and check if there are items such as “NFC”, Android Beam and contactless payment in the menu. If there is, then this is confirmation that the gadget supports this module.
Use Cases
NFC is highly valuable for the speed and privacy of the connection, so this protocol is used: for contactless payment, for reading NFC tags, and of course, for direct transmission or reception of data.
A system of electronic passes is also being actively implemented: hardly anyone doubts that in the near future smartphones will be used as electronic keys for all doors. The electronic key system has been used in enterprises, business centers and military installations around the world for quite a long time, but few people use phones for this today.
Another great use is pairing your phone with a variety of accessories (headset, headphones, speakers). Many of them use the Bluetooth standard. However, the most modern and relevant gadgets use NFC.
The technology is used in two modes:
- Active: in this case we are talking about the mutual exchange of information between two active devices.
- Passive: when only one device is working. These are devices that perform special functions (electronic passes, metro cards, etc.).
PayPass contactless payments
NFC has made a huge leap forward in contactless payment technology. With the mass implementation of the module, millions of people around the world were able to pay for their purchases without having either cash or a debit card in their hands. The smartphone has become a replacement for payment cards and travel passes in municipal transport.
Of course, you pay with your money from a bank card, only the secret data is not stored in the internal memory of the phone, but is recorded on a chip with encrypted algorithms. This chip controls access to payment instruments, money transfers and other transactional operations.
You can make contactless payments from any device that has access to the Near field communication protocol.
Instructions for using the contactless payment function in the Android system:
Step 1 Install the free Android Pay application from the Play Market catalog. This is just a program for cashless payments for Android devices.
Step 2. Open the application. In it, click the plus icon to add your card.
Step 3. Click “Add Card” to enter new payment information. If you already have a card entered, you can simply use it.
Step 4. Terms of use of the application according to the standard are accepted.
Step 5. Finally, you need to confirm the authentication of the just entered card through a special code sent to your number in the form of SMS.
Step 6. In order for the application to independently copy the code from the sent SMS message, you need to enable the corresponding function upon request.
When the last stage of authentication and linking of a bank card is completed, your smartphone simultaneously becomes a wallet. The only caveat is that not all establishments yet support Apple and Android Pay services. In the corresponding establishments there is always an icon notifying about the possibility of this payment method.
When purchasing goods in retail grocery stores and supermarkets, the device is simply brought to the cash register. Within 1-2 seconds, a transaction is carried out through the card associated with the application.
Information exchange
Peer-to-peer mode allows two NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other and exchange files and data. This way you can transfer contacts, settings, texts and other data from one mobile device to another, or from a mobile device to another device altogether (to a router, for example).
Reading marks
We should not forget about another important function of modern gadgets equipped with NFC modules: we are talking about reading special electronic NFC tags.
In many countries, these small plastic icons are already actively used in marketing, as they store short information about a product, or some other object, which can then be read by anyone using a smartphone.
NFC tags are also located on advertising posters, in museums, and in stores. The tag contains a small piece of information that strives to be as informative as possible: it could be a link to a movie trailer, an indication of the date of a declared historical event (in a museum), or the expiration date of a product (in a retail chain).
Tags can also be created independently and used based on your own imagination. For example, you could hang a sign outside your home that gives a short resume of the owner, or put a sign with your resume on your business card.
However, the tag system also has its downsides: attackers may try to redirect you to phishing sites through malicious links located on such tags.
It is also possible for illegal activities, such as the trade in illegal drugs, to be facilitated by such tags. Android algorithms are not yet protected from anything like this.
How to exchange data via NFC on a smartphone?
Android OS 4.0 included the Android Beam feature, which was known as S Beam on Samsung devices. This function allowed direct exchange of files and data in peer-to-peer mode, which required only two smartphones with access to this mode.
The objects of exchange are any small information: contact information, links, photographs, drawings, notes, etc. Files are directly exchanged using Bluetooth technology or via Wi-Fi-Direct. NFC is mainly used to instantly detect and connect two devices.
So, file transfer is carried out either through the Android Beam utility or through external applications. It is better to consider both options in sequence.
Android Beam:
- As shown earlier, open the network settings menu and check whether NFC and Android Beam are connected. If not, then connect.
- Select the files you want to transfer and place the two devices with their backs facing each other.
- After changes occur on the phone screen, a small download will begin. After this, a beep will sound and the system will warn you that the file will be transferred if you click on it. Touch the image with your finger and hold it on the screen until the second beep sounds. This will mean that the data has begun to be transported.
- Wait until the information is fully transmitted. The download progress can be seen in notifications, where the corresponding scale is displayed.
Here is a far from complete list of applications that are supported for data transfer: gallery, file manager; browser; Play Market; YouTube; Contacts; Cards. Of course, there should not be any password on the devices, otherwise there will be no transfer.
Pros and cons of the module
The contactless communication and payment system has enormous potential due to its complete autonomy. The popularity of the module among people is mainly due to saving time and the desire to minimize annoying everyday trifles, such as searching for cash in a wallet or entering a PIN code.
The cashless contactless payment system completely eliminates all these disadvantages of the traditional shopping process.
pros
- The main advantage of NFC is the highest connection speed (1-2 seconds) compared to Bluetooth (up to two minutes). And if the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network, then the connection will be instantaneous.
- Constant development of technology and expansion of coverage. Manufacturers are not content with just the mobile phone market. Today NFS chips can be seen in tablet computers, laptops, accessories and other gadgets.
- Maximum coverage is up to 20 centimeters. This may be regarded as a disadvantage, but experts consider this aspect as one of the main “features” of the technology, because at such a distance it is almost impossible to steal or intercept information. At the same time, there is additional protection in the form of secure encryption algorithms.
- Compatible with a huge number of existing devices. Regardless of whether they are new models or old ones.
- Convenient mounting of adapters.
- minuses
- Quickly consumes battery power. Despite being much more energy efficient than Bluetooth, it is still a power-hungry module that often drains your phone at the most inopportune times.
- The need to use additional applications. Despite the fact that the protocol is built-in and comes to you along with the phone’s factory firmware, tasks for the chip are assigned using third-party programs that are downloaded through the play market, or even from third-party sites.
- The chip cannot be restored if the phone is lost. If the phone was stolen or simply broken, then personal data will not be recorded or stored anywhere; the chip exists in a single copy.
Conclusion
The IT industry is developing at an incredible pace and no one can say what discoveries await us even in a year, but for now we can say with confidence that NFC is the safest and fastest mobile data transfer protocol that can be trusted to manage financial structures without any problems.
The main obstacle due to which this technology has not yet made a global revolution in the field of data transmission is the lack of full-scale equipment of all modern phone models with chips. Unfortunately, there is only the possibility of individual purchase of a chip, but not their mass implementation.
Most modern phones, smartphones and tablets are equipped with a short-range communication chip. It can be used to make contactless payments and exchange various files with other similar devices. To use useful functionality you need to know how to enable NFC on Android.
Description of technology
NFC is a microchip that allows data exchange between two devices. Information is transmitted only over a short distance using radio frequencies. The chip is mounted directly into the body of a smartphone or tablet. The work is provided by a special Android Bim application.
Before you figure out how to enable the NFC function on Android, you need to determine the presence of the technology on the device. You can determine the presence of a chip in the following ways:
How to turn it on
Enabling NFC mode on your phone is very easy. To do this, you need to perform the following steps sequentially:
Do I need to enable NFC on my smartphone when paying?
When making contactless payments through a terminal using a smartphone, you do not need to go into the application and turn on the mode. The chip will automatically start working when you wake up from sleep mode and remove the lock.
Wireless Fidelity, also known as Wi-Fi, is far from the only wireless technology supported by modern mobile devices. To transfer data over short distances, in particular for exchanging files between phones, today Bluetooth is usually used - a wireless network specification that allows communication between devices at the physical level. However, there are other technologies that are still less in demand in everyday life, but are rapidly gaining popularity, such as, for example, NFC, which will be discussed in this article.
What is NFC and what is this technology for?
So, what is NFC for, where is it used and how to use it? NFC or Near Field Communication is a wireless data transmission technology designed for exchanging data between electronic devices located at a short (up to 10 cm) distance from each other. Currently, NFC is used in industrial and banking sectors, medicine and science. Examples of the use of technology can be found in everyday life, for example, paying for goods and services using an NFC-enabled smartphone, which in this case plays the role of a bank payment card.
The use of Near Field Communication in various areas will be discussed in more detail below. We will also learn what NFC is in a smartphone, but now let me say a few words about how it works. Data exchange between devices supporting the technology is carried out using NFC modules, which are electromagnetic coils. Being coupled, the coils alternately generate an electromagnetic field, under the influence of which a current arises in them, which is then converted into a transmitting signal.
However, one should not assume that the exchange is always carried out directly. If you use NFC to transfer files from smartphone to smartphone, they will be transferred via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but NFC will only serve to identify devices. You should also distinguish between active and passive NFC operating modes. Active is the mode in which the electromagnetic field is generated by both devices, passive - only when the field is generated by one of the devices. An example of the second mode is writing or reading data from NFC or RFID tags.
How to find out if your phone has NFC
Near Field Communication technology is supported by many different types of devices, including mobile phones. NFC in a phone is a hardware component that is responsible for pairing with other NFC devices. It is usually located on the inside of the back cover, but if the battery is non-removable, its location is often marked with a logo on the case itself.
There are several ways to check whether a smartphone supports NFC technology. Some mobile phone manufacturers, such as Sony, mark their products with an NFC logo or sticker, while others, such as Samsung, place the "Near Field Communication" label on the battery. You can also look for mention of NFC in the documentation that came with your phone.
There are sites dedicated to the subject that provide information on which phones have NFC, for example, on the page nfc-ukraine.com/article/2013/06/29/1-0 there is a table with several hundred NFC-enabled devices. Finally, what is most correct is to open the settings, go to the “Wireless networks” section, select “More” and see if NFC and Android Beam are there.
What actions can you perform using NFC?
So, what NFC is is more or less clear, let’s now move on to examples of its specific use. The scope of application of this wireless communication technology is quite extensive. So, NFC is used:
- When paying for goods and services (payment card emulation).
- When identifying a person (electronic documents).
- When transferring data from device to device.
- To access private data (like an electronic key).
- When reading information from NFC tags.
- To transfer funds from phone to phone.
- When interacting with “smart” household appliances, etc.
How to use NFC on your phone? After making sure that the NFC function is available on the device, you should first activate it, for which in the settings you need to check the NFC item “Allow data exchange when combining a tablet (phone) with another device.” In this case, the Android Beam option should be automatically activated. If it doesn't, enable it manually by clicking on it and selecting Yes.
Let's consider the simplest example of using a function - to transfer data. After turning on NFC and unlocking both devices, open the content you want to transfer on your phone, and then bring the devices closer with the back covers (up to 10 cm away). After the devices detect each other, a notification “Tap to transfer data” will appear on the screen of the sending gadget. Tap on the display and wait for the transfer to complete, about which you will be notified by a sound signal.
In a similar way, using NFC, you can exchange links to web pages, applications on Google Play, and YouTube videos.
When using NFC to pay for goods and services, things are a little more complicated. The NFC module itself is useless here; for this you will definitely need a physical or virtual bank card and the corresponding application. You should also ask whether the bank whose services you use supports NFC. If yes, find out whether the banking client application has an NFC connection option, how to connect it correctly, and what types of cards are supported.
There are also third-party applications that support the technology and work with bank cards. In Russia, these are Qiwi and Wallet from the developer CardsMobile. Among banking applications in Russia one can note Alfa-Touch from Alfa-Bank, in Ukraine - Privat24 from Privat-Bank.
NFC tags deserve no less attention. These devices are small portable storage media of small volume, attached to surfaces or built into various devices and objects, such as key chains, business cards, posters, stickers, posters, billboards, product shelves, and so on. They serve the same purposes as barcodes and QR codes, that is, to read certain data from them. NFC tags can contain both simple information (phone numbers, addresses, identification codes, etc.) and various commands, for example, a command to send an SMS, distribute Wi-Fi, turn on a device, launch applications.
To work with NFC tags, you will also need the appropriate applications. Thus, the Yandex.Metro application can be used to obtain information about the number of remaining trips on the Metro card, and AnyTAG NFC Launcher or NFC Actions can be used to program your own tags and use them to control various functions and devices.
To scan an NFC tag, follow these steps: Having activated NFC on your phone and opened the scanner application, place the gadget over the tag at a distance of 1-10 cm. The phone will scan the tag and offer to open its contents.
Conclusion
Now you know in general terms what NFC means and where this technology is used. In post-Soviet countries, Near Field Communication, however, has not yet become widespread due to the relatively small number of communication devices that support it. However, the NFC function is very promising and will certainly be one of the most popular in the very near future.
