Making online payments via a smartphone has become one of the most convenient and secure methods to pay for goods and services, all thanks to technological advancements. Today, almost every device that supports NFC is used for transferring data among other NFC-enabled devices and paying bills at compatible stores. We know how hard it is to carry your wallet and manage your finances, especially when you don't know anything about mobile payments.
Don’t worry too much about it, as this guide on how to get NFC on my phone will help you set up your device for online payments in easy steps. NFC (Near Field Communication) is the typical name for a handy feature you must know how to use efficiently. This guide will help you become an NFC master in no time. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What is NFC and how do I use it?
Near-field communication (NFC) enables your device to interact with technology and other devices nearby. It can easily connect with NFC technology within the 1.5-inch range, but some models can go up to 4 inches. Unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, the short range of this feature has made it something to rely on for everyday tasks like making payments or managing other devices like speakers, collectibles, business cards, smart home appliances, laptops, cameras, etc.
NFC has evolved from RFID (radio frequency identification) technology, and the primary difference between both is their transmission ranges. This allows you to use one device for multiple applications and take advantage of NFC capabilities.
That being said, you can facilitate contactless payments via NFC whenever you walk into a nearby store and pay using your smartphone. You need to bring two NFC devices closer to initiate the transaction, and both will start to receive or transfer data via radio waves.
Now that you understand what NFC is, we will discuss some common uses of this feature to ensure you get the most out of an NFC chip.
Fast connectivity
We know Wi-Fi passwords are complicated and lengthy for security purposes. This can make your connectivity a cumbersome process. But if you decide to use NFC tags, you can write your Wi-Fi password on one of them and attach it to the wall. Now you can easily connect to your Wi-Fi with a single tap and save others from all the fuss.
Set up an alarm
Even if you follow a proper sleep cycle, it is hard for some people to wake up early in the morning, no matter how badly they want to get out of bed. In that case, you can use an NFC tag and integrate it with an alarm using an app. This will motivate you to get out of bed and disable the alarm with a text captcha that appears after you tap your device on the tag.
Quick payments
As we discussed earlier, NFC allows you to initiate transactions when paying through services like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This type of payment method is mostly used around the world, especially in convenience and food stores. Plus, these services allow you to manage and keep track of your finances, store coupons, and spending habits. Another advantage of using contactless payments is that you won’t have to carry any other means of payment except your phone.
Steps to get NFC on my phone
This hot feature is available on every Android phone, and some models even have the N-Mark at the back to indicate that the device supports NFC. If you don’t spot any N-Mark at the back, you can skip the hardware fiddling and see whether your phone has NFC or not. To start with the steps on how to get NFC on my phone, make sure you are on the homepage of your phone and follow the steps below:
- Open the settings on your Android device.
- Tap on "More connections" or "Connected devices."
- Now select "Connection preferences."
- After that, you will see an NFC option.
- Tap on the toggle to enable it.
Voila! Now you can use NFC for transferring data and connecting to other devices with a single tap.
Can you install NFC on your phone?
Yes, you can install NFC on your device as long as it is NFC enabled. Since the death of the Android Beam, most people have used NFC communication to pay at local stores. The latest update of Android 10 has replaced Android Beam with Nearby Share to ensure fast and easy file transfer.
This means you can’t use NFC for sharing content, files, apps, photos, and other documents. If your device supports NFC, you can easily install it from the Google Play store on Android smartphones. But remember, you may not find the "NFC Easy Connect" app in some regions/countries.
Can you add NFC to a non-NFC phone?
Two NFC work via a thin strip that sends radio waves to connect. This means your phone needs to have those contact points to receive and transmit radio waves. But in the case of non-NFC phones, you won’t get an NFC strip integrated inside the phone, and even if you manage to make the OS support this feature, you know some Android devices do support NFC. This does not mean it will pop up the NFC prompt on your device.
How do I activate NFC for contactless payments?
If you don't know how to activate NFC for contactless payments, then this guide on how to get NFC on my phone will help you activate your device for fast and easy payments. Let’s learn the entire part with easy-to-follow steps.
- Visit the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Press on the "Connections" or "More Connections" option.
- Now tap on "NFC and contactless payments."
- Slide the toggle to enable the NFC.
- Tap on the "Contactless payments" option.
- Choose the preferred means of payment service, like Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
Follow the prompts and finish the process.
Final thoughts
We hope this guide on how to get NFC on my phone has assisted in making the most of this feature. So, make sure to check whether your device supports NFC or not before setting up payment methods. This feature will save lots of hassle and pain that come from day-to-day tasks.
