How to Use NFC Tags with an iPhone (iOS)
You tap your iPhone at checkout counters every day, paying with Apple Pay in seconds. But that Near Field Communication (NFC) controller inside your iPhone can do far more than process payments. Since Apple introduced NFC in 2014, the technology has evolved into a powerful automation tool that most users never discover. In August 2024, Apple announced iPhone NFC capabilities beyond Apple Pay with iOS 18.1, and now 4.5 billion NFC-enabled devices worldwide can tap into possibilities that extend well beyond contactless transactions.
Which iPhones Work with NFC Tags?
Apple initially added support for NFC in 2014 with the iPhone 6, exclusively for Apple Pay. The breakthrough came with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, which added support for background NFC tag reading. This feature allows devices to detect and respond to NFC tags automatically without opening an app. As of the iPhone XR (2018), most common uses of NFC are supported on the iPhone.
The iPhone 7 and later can read NFC tags using the iOS Core NFC framework, but lack a native app to encode NFC tags. The iPhone is compatible with all NFC tag types and NFC chip types (excluding MIFARE Classic), making it a versatile automation platform. iPhone XR and newer models read tags automatically, while iPhone 7, 8, and X require manual activation through the Control Center.
Reading NFC Tags with an iPhone
Reading is straightforward. For iPhone XS, XR, and newer models, simply hold the top of your iPhone near an NFC tag and your device will detect the tag. Native iOS apps like Safari, Mail, Messaging, and Maps automatically respond to properly formatted NFC tags. The most common use involves opening URLs in Safari when a tag is scanned. Not having to download an app broadens the user base that will use NFC tags as it removes an additional hurdle.
The Challenge: Encoding NFC Tags
Here is where most iPhone users hit a wall: The iPhone does not have a native app to encode NFC tags. While third-party iPhone apps can encode small quantities of tags, they lack the speed, reliability, and advanced features needed for anything beyond casual personal use.
The critical issue is NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF) formatting. The Apple iOS Software Development Kit (SDK) only supports reading tags that have been properly encoded with NDEF formatting. If the NFC tag is empty or improperly formatted, iOS will not be able to read it. Many cheap online tags arrive blank or incorrectly formatted, causing frustration when iPhones fail to detect them.
For larger quantities of tags, a desktop NFC reader should be used along with the GoToTags Desktop App. This combination ensures proper NDEF formatting every time, supports batch processing, and provides professional-grade reliability that mobile apps cannot match.
Practical Applications for NFC Tags
NFC tags enable automation scenarios that eliminate repetitive tasks and streamline daily routines. NFC tags do not need batteries, work indefinitely once programmed, and cost pennies when purchased in bulk.
Home Automation
- Bedside tag: Enable Do Not Disturb mode, set your morning alarm, adjust screen brightness, and disable WiFi and Bluetooth connections to prepare your environment for sleep
- Front door tag: Turn off lights throughout your home, adjust thermostats to away mode, arm security systems, and activate cleaning robots when you leave
- Living room tag: Activate movie mode by dimming lights, silencing notifications, and configuring audio equipment
Productivity and Convenience
- Car dashboard tag: Launch navigation apps, connect Bluetooth audio, start your driving playlist, and send automated status messages
- Office desk tag: Turn on workspace lighting, connect to speakers, and launch productivity applications
- Kitchen timer tags: Trigger preset cooking timers for 5, 15, 30, or 45 minutes with a single tap
- Guest WiFi tag: Allow visitors to connect to your network instantly without manually entering passwords or revealing sensitive credentials
Setting Up Your Automations
The iPhone Shortcuts app provides the interface for programming these automations. Users scan an NFC tag to register it, define the desired actions through the Shortcuts automation interface, and place the tag in a convenient location. The system handles the rest automatically whenever the tag is scanned.
Why Desktop Solutions Win
The GoToTags Store sells NFC tags that are recommended for the iPhone and desktop NFC readers for macOS. For anyone encoding more than a handful of tags, desktop solutions become essential. The GoToTags Desktop App supports all NFC Forum tag types, handles ISO14443 and ISO15693 standards, and guarantees proper NDEF formatting for iPhone compatibility.
Desktop readers provide faster encoding speeds, batch processing capabilities, and advanced features like tag locking. Mobile encoding works for casual personal use. Desktop encoding handles everything else.
The Future of iPhone NFC
Apple continues expanding NFC capabilities. The NFC Release 15 standard, expected with iPhone 17 in 2025, will quadruple operating range from 0.5 to 2 centimeters. Multi-Purpose Tap technology will enable single taps to trigger multiple simultaneous actions. With 4.5 billion NFC-enabled devices worldwide and 99% of smartphones projected to support NFC by 2027, the infrastructure for widespread adoption already exists.
Get Started Today
Your iPhone has contained powerful automation capabilities since 2014. The GoToTags Store sells iPhone-compatible NFC tags along with desktop NFC readers for macOS.
Download the GoToTags Desktop App for professional-grade encoding with proper NDEF formatting, batch processing, and advanced features that mobile applications cannot match.
Download the GoToTags Desktop App for professional-grade encoding with proper NDEF formatting, batch processing, and advanced features that mobile applications cannot match.