You can program an NFC tag to perform tasks such as open a web page, configure phone settings, or even send a text just by tapping the device against the tag. So, for instance, you may want to program an NFC tag for use when you reach the office, where you’d need your phone set to vibration mode, Wi-Fi set to on, and Bluetooth inactive. Just tap your device’s back against the programmed tag, and the device will perform the tasks programmed onto the tag.
Using the Trigger app, you can encode NFC tags and perform tasks or adjust settings, such as the following:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings (including Airplane mode, auto-sync, GPS on/off, mobile data on/off)
- Sound and volume settings (sound profile, ringtone, ring/notification volume, notification tone, media volume, system volume, alarm volume, and vibrate when ringing)
- Display options (brightness, notification light, auto rotation, display timeout)
- Social media (tweeting, checking in via check-in services such as Foursquare, Facebook, Google Latitude, Google Places)
- Messages (autosync, sending email, composing SMS, send Glympse)
- Apps and shortcuts (open app, close app, open activity, pause, open URL/URI, speak text, navigation, dock, car dock)
- Multimedia (start/stop media playback, move to next media, play previous media)
- Alarms (set alarm, set timer)
- Events (create event, create calendar timestamp)
- Security (activate lock screen)
- Make phone call
- Samsung-specific modes (blocking mode, driving mode, power saving mode)
- Create Tasker tasks
To save all your selected actions/tasks onto the NFC tag, just tap the “Save & Write” button. And, to execute the actions or tasks, just tap the device’s back against the tag.
Mobile payments
Mobile payments are what NFC is most used for. There are quite a few of them out there, with the most popular ones being Samsung Pay and Google Pay. There’s also Apple Pay, but the service doesn’t work with Android devices.
- How to use Google Pay — a step by step guide
- Samsung Pay: What is it, how does it work and how do I use it?
To make payments with your phone, you first need to sign up for one of the payment methods available. Samsung Pay is only compatible with Samsung devices, while Google Pay works on handsets running Android 4.4 KitKat and higher. When you’re up and running, you can start making payments at supported retailers.
To do so, the first thing to do is make sure that NFC is enabled. Then hold the back of your device close to the payment terminal for a few seconds and wait until the payment is completed.
There you have it — that’s how to use NFC on Android devices. What do you use usually use NFC for (sending images, making payments
