NFC in your phone: what it is and how to connect

The presence of the phone NFC module significantly expands the possibilities of its use

CONTENT

  • 1 NFC module in the phone - what is it
  • 2 How does NFC phone
  • 3 How do I know whether the phone has NFC
  • 4 How to enable NFC on your phone
  • 5 How to use NFC phone to pay
  • 6 Can I install NFC-chip yourself in his absence
  • 7 Phones with NFC function: a short list of models with prices
  • 8 Transferring files and information via NFC

NFC module in the phone - what is it

First, a little history, how did this format contactless data transmission. NFC takes its beginning in 2004 when three big giants in the mobile electronics market (Nokia, Philips and Sony) parallel development began to create a special chip, which would provide data support in the Middle distance. The aim of the work was to create a universal system that can be standardized. The result of a joint effort, because at a certain stage of development the company teamed up with steel phones NFC-module. This abbreviation in the original sounds like Near Field Communication or near the contactless communication (in an easy-to-understand translation).

Learn about the presence NFC format can support on a bright and memorable corporate icon

Standard Specifications expressed in the data transfer capabilities of the conjugation of two or smartphone at a distance of 10 cm between them. Note! To obtain a good signal and sure transmission typically requires the convergence of two format devices with up to a distance of 2-3 cm.

NFC format on the phone some consider unnecessary, because all devices, without exception, are available at market, have a Bluetooth module, which is also used for data exchange and has a larger radius activity. But compare these two standards is not entirely correct, because the now popular NFC has a number of features:

  • compact module, embedded in the smart phone body;
  • format allows for communication between the two gadgets or other passive objects, endowed with a similar function;
  • reduced energy consumption;
  • establishing a high speed interface which is not more than 0.1-0.2 seconds;
  • affordability that allows you to find even the Chinese budget phones with NFC.

IMPORTANT!(Click to see)

IMPORTANT!

Small radius of action is the guarantee of security, which prevents the possibility of using the devices from long distances. This is very important, since the format is often used to make payments when the phone replaces the card.

Scope of using NFC options are very extensive

How does NFC phone

The basic principle, which is the basis of the work of this technology - is the exchange of the radio signal. A similar method is used in all wireless modules. The difference between NFC and the rest is the distance at which the signal operates - ≥10 cm.

Initially format meant to be a way to extend functionality of contactless cards, but thanks to the widespread and popular, the developers have come up with several new applications:

  • normal mode for reading information;
  • emulation applied at conferring module functions payment instrument or converting it into a pass;
  • P2P mode, by which the communication between the two telephones.

Using the chip, which is sewn into the cell phone allows you to book tickets, serves as a form of payment directions or parking space, it makes it possible to carry out a supervisory approval on certain closed territory. The development of production processes has led to the emergence of plastic cards, inside which there is a wireless chip and an integrated antenna, making it a convenient plastic payment instruments.

One of the frequently used functions of NFC is the transfer of information between the two smartphones

When finding the two devices in the vicinity of the binding device occurs by the magnetic field induction, where two transducers frame type form of Form. To work NFC module in the phone is equipped with the frequency 13.5 MHz. Thus the speed with which data exchange is performed, may reach up to 400 kbit / s.

Each module can operate in two modes:

  1. Active. In this case both devices participating in conjugation, have their own power sources antenna, and data exchange is performed in order of priority.
  2. Passive. This option involves the use of only one power unit, which is the source for the module. Passive tags have a small margin of memory and often only used for reading information (pass, electronic ticket).

NOTE!(Click to see)

NOTE!

One of the issues many users is the module location. All manufacturers had adopted a single standard of accommodation NFC-antenna for your phone - under the back cover in the vicinity of the battery.

By itself, the module is a small chip that assembly resembles an inductor

How do I know whether the phone has NFC

To find out whether a particular phone support this option, you can go several ways. The easiest is when the decision to buy a phone with NFC function simply peruse Forums "Specifications" in the description of a particular device on the store's website or look for reviews of the selected smartphone on the network. If the device has already been purchased, then find out whether the gadget supports NFC, you can:

  1. Familiar with the words on the box. There will be spelled out the existence of this option or depicted brand icon.
  2. If your phone has a removable back cover, you can remove it and inspect the battery, which also should be a sign alerting. One can also see an antenna which is a flat coil. It can be mounted on the back cover.
  3. Go to the settings and go to the menu item "Wireless Networks". If you click on the "More" button in the presence of built-in module, the user will be available actions that can be assigned to NFC.
  4. Open the curtain notifications obvious swipe from the top edge of the screen. Among the icons of available features to look for are three cherished letters. There you can quickly activate this option.

Enabling via the settings menu by activating the slider or the production of "tick"

How to enable NFC on your phone

Buy a phone with NFC-module is half the battle. Next, you should know how to activate the unit to carry out the necessary operations. Activate this option is very simple. This can be done in two ways:

  1. Go to your phone settings. Go to the menu item "Wireless Networks". Next, select the subsection "More", which will be available NFC features. All you need to do - it's just activate it.
  2. The second option is to use NFC inclusion curtain notifications. It is required to find the desired icon, and simply tap on the it. Confirmation of activation will change color.

In the presence in the smartphone NFC-chip to enable fulfillment of the exchange of data or execution of payment transactions need to activate a special application - Android Beam. It can be found in the settings in the "Advanced" tab.

NFC can also be activated through the shutter notifications

How to use NFC phone to pay

Since in most cases a smartphone that has "on board» NFC module is used as a payment instrument, it is necessary to know how to use this handy feature.

Payment using Android Pay

To select the phone as the primary payment instrument in the presence of NFC, the following steps:

  1. Download from PlayMarket official Android Pay app.
  2. Run it on the device.
  3. Select "Scan Card". Scanning occurs by smartphone camera. If the presence of errors always possible to enter the information manually.
  4. At tied to the "plastic" the phone comes with SMS confirmation code binding.
  5. The application allows you to enter data multiple cards, and the user simply selects at payment required.

Through a smartphone equipped with NFC-enabled, you can pay for purchases in stores

You can customize the operation of the module in automatic mode. To do this, follow these steps:

  • settings go to the "Payment one-touch" and select the Android Pay your default payment method;
  • allow the application to run automatically when the system boots.

What is important is the presence of the terminal functions of contactless payments. Also, when making a payment, there is a limit on the amount. If the purchase cost does not exceed 900 rubles, the confirmation in the form of a PIN card is required. If the amount exceeds the user will need to enter the PIN. It may further be requested when making more than 4 consecutive payments.

NOTE!(Click to see)

NOTE!

Completion of payment processing is punching a check for confirming the terminal and SMS from the bank indicating operation cancellation means.

The use of NFC on the iPhone

Cupertino-based company also has its own service for contactless payments, called Apple Pay. General payment principles are similar to the method, which is implemented on Android smartphones. The first action is to link the card. Pre-need to clarify, does the bank that issued the plastic, this payment system.

The presence of a corporate icon is an indication that the store supports Apple Pay system

NOTE!(Click to see)

NOTE!

To date, the majority of Russian banks successfully works with all varieties of services for contactless payment, such as Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay.

One device supports booting up to 8 different cards, while it does not matter, debit or credit plastic is used for payment. Making payments carried out by the terminal contact. Most importantly, the latter had the support PayPass system. Confirmation of acceptance of payment via mobile phone is the presence of the corresponding icon. press «Home» to activate the built-in wallet on the iPhone you need to double. When making a payment finger should be placed on TouchID, which will be further confirmation of the payment from the user.

BY THE WAY! (Click to see)

BY THE WAY!

A similar possibility of making contactless payments through the fingerprint scanner is provided on phones running Android system.

For Apple Pay is also a limit on the amount of the commission of the operation without entering the card PIN. It can vary depending on your country of residence. On the territory of the Russian Federation is allowed to make payments of up to 1 000 rubles without confirmation by PIN.

Making payments through a smartphone is perfectly safe because of the map data is not transmitted to third parties

A few words about safety

When paying by card instead of your smartphone guarantee full security of the transaction. On the data card terminal is not displayed. Curious see only the last 4 digits and the bank that issued the "plastic". The terminal itself is not receiving all the data on the payment card. To make a transaction generated random code having a limited duration. Therefore, it will not allow the interception to take advantage of the information obtained in the future.

NOTE! (Click to see)

NOTE!

At the dawn of the active introduction of contactless purchases system telephone opinion existed that gifted hackers will be able to read data from the "plastic" in close proximity to the source. But in reality this is not feasible, because the radius of action does not exceed 10 cm.

Acquisition of the rear cover with NFC-module is a simple way to get the option in its absence in the phone

Can I install NFC-chip yourself in his absence

The problem of self-installation becomes relevant when there is no such option "out of the box." There are several options how to pull it off.

Bonding purchased NFC-tag to the back cover
prosMinuses
The simplicity of the control tags.In the presence of a thick cover it is physically impossible.
Absence of battery consumption.Inability to connect the system to the NFC module.
Buy SD-cards with NFC-enabled mobile
prosMinuses
Gaining access to the chip on the part of the system.Obligatory presence in the smartphone slots for such cards.
Limitations of manufacturers of similar devices.
Replacing the back cover
prosMinuses
Full access to the capabilities of the chip system.Void the warranty.
No need to install additional accessories.Inability to implement at the rear nonremovable cover.

Phones with NFC function: a short list of models with prices

To simplify the choice of the model, which has a predefined model of the wireless exchange of information or contactless payments, you can find a list in which phone has NFC. Each company produces models as premium and budget segments, which have a built-in function. Averaged a list of which phones support the NFC, is given in tabular form for ease of perception.

ManufacturerModelCost (as of April 2018), rubles
SamsungGalaxy A3 (2017)13 700
Galaxy A5 (2016)13 990
Galaxy A5 (2017)18 770
Galaxy J7 (2016)11 590
Galaxy J7 (2017)15 700
S8 / S8 +43 900/ 49 900
S9 / S9 +47 000/53 000
Nokia37 900
511 000
616 000
SonyXperia E5 Xperia XA1 Dual. Xperia X Xperia X Compact7 850 14 080 16 140 18 399
HuaweiP10 Lite12 250
Honor 5C8 950
Honor 6X11 650
P20 Pro57 000

All the major brands and even Chinese manufacturers implement support NFC module in most of its models as a way to keep up with the times and win buyer

A more complete list of smartphones that can be found on the shelves:

  • Alcatel Pop S7 7045Y
  • Alcatel U5 HD and A7
  • Huawei Honor 9
  • Huawei Honor 6X
  • Huawei Honor 5C
  • Huawei P10 Lite
  • Huawei Nova 2
  • iPhone SE
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone X
  • LG G6
  • LG V30
  • LG Q6 and Q6 +
  • LG X Venture
  • lenovo P2
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8
  • Sony Xperia L1
  • Sony Xperia E5
  • Sony Xperia XA1
  • Nokia 8
  • Asus ZenFone 4
  • Asus ZenFone 4 Pro.
  • Asus ZenFone 4 AR
  • Blackview BV6000S
  • Blackview BV8000 Pro
  • Wileyfox Swift 2X
  • HTC Desire 530
  • HTC U Ultra
  • HTC U11 and U11 Plus
  • Google Pixel 2 / 2XL.
  • OnePlus 5 / 5T.
  • ZTE Nubia Z17 and Z17 mini
  • moto G5s
  • AGM X2
  • BlackBerry Motion and KEYone

Separately, mention may be made of the Chinese manufacturers, whose production is becoming a more common and is gaining in popularity every year. One of the most sensitive issues - public Xiaomi phones have NFC:

  • Xiaomi MI4 32 / 64Gb. Cost - 11 500-13 500 rub .;
  • Xiaomi Mi3 64Gb. The cost - about 15 thousand rubles .;
  • Xiaomi Mi5s 4 / 32Gb. The cost - about 21 thousand rubles .;
  • Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 / 128Gb. The cost - about 29 500-35 000 rub .;
  • Xiaomi Mi Mix 6 / 256Gb. The cost - about 33 000-37 000 rub .;
  • Xiaomi Mi Mix June 2 / 256Gb cost - about 36 500 rubles.

Xiaomi NFC module includes all the models, ranging from simple and inexpensive to premium smartphones

Transferring files and information via NFC

One of the functions offered by the user of this module is to commit an information exchange. Android Beam manages programs through copy to another smartphone is not only files but also share links, maps and contacts. To effect transfer, it is required first of all activate the further need to unlock the screen and select appropriate agent for conjugation:

  • Chrome or another browser for transmission links;
  • Maps application - in order to share the route;
  • Play - to send applications, games or books;
  • YouTube - to pass a reference to the video;
  • contacts to send the subscriber card from your address book;
  • Gallery for image and photo.

NOTE!(Click to see)

NOTE!

Transmission of multimedia content will require more time because the data rate is low by NFC. To speed up the process it is recommended to use specialized applications.

"Plexus" with NFC phones allows you to transfer files, links, routes or contacts

Conjugation process itself is maximally close proximity of the two devices relative to each other, pressing the hold on the screen to start the transfer process and pending successful completion. Once again, learn how important NFC function in your phone, can be submitted from the roller.