4 Fun Ways to Use NFC on Your Android GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Android 73 73 people found this article helpful

4 Fun Ways to Use NFC on Your Android

Share files, make mobile payments, and more with NFC technology

By Molly McLaughlin Molly McLaughlin Senior Editor & Content Strategist Molly K. McLaughlin has been a technology editor and writer for over a dozen years. She runs product reviews for Lifewire, overseeing the process from hands-on testing to publishing. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 31, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Share Content With Other Android Devices Pay With Your Smartphone Program NFC Tags Share Your Wi-Fi Network Near field communication (NFC) makes it possible to exchange information between smartphones and other smart devices quickly. Uses for NFC on Android phones include file sharing, contactless payment systems, and programmable NFC tags. The information below applies to any Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, or other manufacturers.

Share Content With Other Android Devices

With programs like Nearby Share (an AirDrop competitor introduced by Google), it's possible to share pictures, videos, web pages, contact information, and other types of data with others nearby. For example, share a photo after it's snapped or exchange contact information at a networking event without having to search for a pen. Nearby Share replaced Android Beam, which has been deprecated.

Pay With Your Smartphone at the Register With Android Pay

In a contactless payment system, customers swipe their smartphones instead of pulling out their credit cards at the cash register. With NFC enabled, you can store your credit card information in Google Pay or Samsung Pay and swipe your smartphone during checkout. Credit card companies have gotten into the game with Mastercard PayPass and Visa payWave.

Program NFC Tags

NFC tags are small unpowered NFC chips that can be programmed to do specific things when swiped. For example, program these devices to do simple actions such as activate wireless tethering, launch apps depending on your location, dim the phone screen at bedtime, turn off notifications, or set alarms and timers. You can also set up more complicated processes such as booting your PC. Programming an NFC tag is easy, and you'll need to download an app to do so. Many apps are available in the Google Play Store, such as NFC Tools and NFC TagWriter. You can also use an NFC tag on your business card so that new contacts can save your information in a snap.

Share Your Wi-Fi Network Via NFC

When you have guests over, don't give them your Wi-Fi password. Instead, use an NFC tag to share it. This method is more secure since your guests won't know the password. Your guests must install a free NFC reader app, such as NFC Reader, on their smartphones to use your NFC tags. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Fitbit Pay The Official Android Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know Samsung Pay vs. Google Pay (Formerly Android Pay) How to Use Google Pay on iPhone How to Use Samsung Pay How to Install Microsoft 365 on Your PC How to Share Your Wi-Fi Password on Android Pixel 6 & 6a: News, Price, Release Date, and Specs How Does Google Pay Stack Up Against Samsung Pay and Apple Pay? How to Use Samsung Smart Alert and Direct Call How to Add a Friend Code on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Use Google Home With Your iPhone How to Fix It When Alexa says the Echo is Offline How to Pay With Google How to Use Your Android Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot What Is Near Field Communications, or NFC? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies