The combination “NFC” (Near field communication) is increasingly found in the specifications of modern smartphones and tablets. In this article we will try to consider this interface from the point of view of practical use, so that readers can independently draw their own conclusion about the need to have it on their phone.

In testing, we used two smartphone models that have already been reviewed in detail on our resource: Acer CloudMobile S500 and Sony Xperia acro S. We would also like to point out that most of the information, including the programs and use cases described, will only apply to Android smartphones. It is this operating system that is today the most “friendly” when it comes to working with NFC.

Introduction

At first glance, it may seem that numerous wireless interfaces today already cover all possible popular tasks and scenarios, so another option is simply not needed. However, if you look at the development of modern technologies, you will notice that more and more attention is being paid to energy consumption issues, especially when it comes to mobile devices. In particular, version 4.0 of the well-known family of Bluetooth protocols is precisely aimed at reducing battery costs. The second point worth mentioning is that not every task requires a long range. It happens even the other way around - you want to explicitly limit the distance between interacting devices. In addition to the obvious reduction in consumption, this also affects safety. And a similar remark can be made about the volume of transmitted data. So the idea of ​​a slow wireless interface that operates over short distances and is characterized by low power consumption has a right to exist.

The starting point in the history of NFC development can be taken in 2004, when Nokia, Philips and Sony announced the creation of a touch-based interface for the interaction of various devices with the aim of developing and standardizing the interface between various devices. However, the first versions of the specifications were created a little earlier. Perhaps, by modern standards, the technology can be considered very young (if you do not take into account the history of RFID), but it is already quite often found in real products and services. In particular, at the Mobile World Congress 2013 held at the end of February, many stands and demonstrations were devoted to this topic.

This sign can be found on devices with NFC technology

The formal characteristics of the interface are as follows: operation at a distance of several centimeters, maximum information exchange rate of about 400 Kbps, full-duplex data exchange is supported, operating frequency is 13.56 MHz, connection establishment time does not exceed 0.1 s, operating mode is point-to-point. It can be seen that these parameters radically distinguish NFC from other popular wireless interfaces.

If we talk about devices, in addition to active controllers in NFC, there are also passive options (they are usually called tags), which receive power wirelessly from the active controller. One example is modern cards for travel on public transport. Tags are simply data storage, typically less than 4 KB in size. Most often, they only provide read mode, but there are also options with write support.

One of the simplest options for a passive NFC tag

The compact size of the controller and its low consumption allows NFC to be implemented even in such small designs as SIM cards or microSD memory cards. However, for full operation it is necessary to use a special antenna. In phones, it is usually located on the back of the battery compartment cover or built into the back panel if the device does not have a removable battery.

The NFC antenna is often placed on the back cover of the smartphone

The short range can have a negative impact when using tablets - finding the right place to “position” may not be as easy as we would like. To solve this problem, some manufacturers mark the location of the antenna with a special sign. As for the range, in our case the connection worked at a distance of no more than four centimeters - both between phones and with a passive tag.

From a security point of view, the developers did not implement elements of protection against interception and relay attacks. This of course makes it difficult to implement secure solutions, since it requires the applications themselves to be protected at a higher level. Note that in fact, such a well-known protocol as TCP/IP behaves similarly. So from a practical point of view, losing a phone without additional protection with customized payment system programs seems more dangerous than intercepting communications.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about NFC today is that the interface itself does not provide any real practical use cases or solutions. Unlike, for example, Bluetooth, whose profiles clearly describe how to transfer a file, how to connect a headset or provide network access, NFC is only a base, and direct operating scenarios are provided by additional software that works through it. On the one hand, this opens up great opportunities for developers, but on the other hand, it is a problem for them when ensuring the interaction of different applications and devices.

Interestingly, any programs installed on a smartphone or tablet can register in the operating system as NFC-related event handlers, and then when called externally, you will see a standard menu “What do you want to do with this action?” Since some NFC use cases involve convenient automation of actions, it is advisable not to overload the device with such utilities.

The NFC Forum tries to help with this uncertainty by proposing standardization of protocols for certain scenarios (notably NDEF for storing short messages on tags and SNEP (Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol) for exchanging information between devices), but practically determining the compatibility of specific devices is usually hampered by a lack of detailed information from the manufacturer and diagnostic tools. Another helper here is Google, which has offered its own development of Android Beam in the latest versions of Android. It allows you to exchange certain types of information between compatible devices.

Android Beam

First, you need to make sure that both devices have NFC enabled, Android Beam active, and their screens are unlocked. On the models we tested, NFC only works if the screen is on and the device is fully unlocked. But perhaps other devices will use a different algorithm. In any case, the active interface requires very little battery power to operate, and so far the described approach seems quite reasonable. One option to simplify your work is to disable the lock screen. In this case, to identify the tag, it will be enough to simply turn on the smartphone. Another inconvenience is the need to confirm the operation by touching the screen after the devices find each other. This is not always easy to do without disrupting communication, especially when both devices are in the hands of two different people.

The next step is to select one of the applications on the device from which you plan to transfer. In particular, these may be:

• Google Chrome - transfer the current open link;
• YouTube client - transfer of a video clip (as a link);
• Google Maps - transfer of a place or route;
• Contacts—transfer a contact card;
• Google Play - application transfer;
• Gallery - transfer of photos.

Next, bring the devices closer to each other. When a partner is detected, you will hear a tone on the sending device and the desktop image will shrink. At this moment, you need to touch the screen image and hold your finger until you hear the second signal - about a successful transfer.

We tried the options listed, and almost all of them really work. Even the fact that our devices were produced by different manufacturers did not prevent them from finding a common language. But a few comments are still worth making. There are no problems with routes in Google Maps, but the option with a place is not very interesting, since only the current map display is transmitted. The dot marked on the screen of the original phone does not reach the recipient. The situation can be corrected by using the Addresses application, which transmits data correctly. When sending contacts, the photo is lost, since from a technical point of view the transfer format corresponds to vcf text files. If we talk about applications, then you can send not only those installed on the phone, but also simply open cards on Google Play. Books and other content from the store are similarly supported. Naturally, we are talking about transferring links, and not the downloaded or, especially, purchased elements themselves. There was a problem with sending photos: the Sony device was unable to work with this type of data. The official wording is "The recipient's device does not support large data transfers via Android Beam." Here is the first sign that the interface is young or that the technical specifications of the devices are insufficiently detailed. Formally, we have both NFC and Android Beam in two devices, but in practice their real capabilities differ significantly, and this can only be found out by checking. What can we say about less famous manufacturers - their version of implementing this technology can be completely unpredictable.

By the way, regarding the work of Android Beam itself. The description of the technology indicates that data transmission uses Bluetooth communication after initial coordination of settings via NFC. Considering that all working formats required a really small amount of transferred data, NFC speed was quite enough for them, but for photographs it would have been clearly not enough. So we can assume that Sony has not implemented the switch to a faster interface. It is not possible to understand whether this problem is software (remember that this device has Android 4.0.4 installed) or hardware.

We also tried to send our own music and videos in the same way from their respective apps, but nothing appeared on the receiver.

Reading and writing tags

The described Android Beam uses the ability to transmit and process short information messages. However, in reality, they can not only be transmitted from the phone, but also read from passive tags. In a sense, this technology is similar to the well-known QR codes that are read by a phone camera. At the same time, useful information (for example, a link to a website page) takes up literally several tens of bytes. Tags can be used by companies, for example, to promote their products or services. Considering the compact size of the passive tag (more precisely, its thickness is comparable to a sheet of paper - because of the antenna, the area will still be significant, no less than a five-ruble coin), it can be placed almost anywhere: on a box with a product, in a magazine, on an information sheet. counter and other places.

Passive NFC tags can be manufactured as key fobs

If we talk about making tags with our own hands, then this is a completely feasible scenario. To do this, you need to purchase clean blanks and, using a special program for your phone, write down the required information on them. For example, we bought several different options: a sticker of minimal thickness, a protected plastic circle and key chains. All of them had a very small amount of memory - only 144 bytes (there are also 4 KB options on the market). The number of rewrite cycles was not specified, but for most application scenarios this parameter is not critical. To work with tags, we can recommend NXP Semiconductors programs - TagInfo and TagWriter.

The first will allow you to read data from the tag and decrypt information according to the NDEF standard, and the second will help you create your own tags. Several NDEF sub-options are supported: contact, link, text, SMS, mail message, phone number, Bluetooth connection, geographic location, local file link, application launch, URI. Please note that when creating a record, you need to take into account the amount of data stored. For example, a contact photo can take up several kilobytes, messages or text can also easily exceed 144 bytes. By the way, the NFC TagInfo program from NFC Research Lab with a special plugin can read and show you a color photo from a biometric passport. With a data volume of one and a half dozen kilobytes, reading them via NFC takes about 20 seconds. An additional level of protection in this case is provided by the need to specify some passport details to read data from the chip.

Note that automatic processing of read tags depends on the content. In particular, sometimes additional confirmation is required to carry out the action itself. For example, in the case of SMS, a completed message form opens, but the user must actually confirm the sending. But the recorded web link can immediately open in the browser. Any automation is associated with a loss of control, so the described capabilities should be used carefully, since by simply replacing or reprogramming tags, attackers can redirect you to a fake site instead of the original one. We did not find any standard OS settings to limit such autorun (unless you disable NFC itself).

Another important point when using tags in public places is protection against overwriting. When recording a tag, you can set a protection flag that will block all attempts to change the information, but it will no longer be possible to remove it. So the label will be used in read-only mode in the future. For home use, in most cases this is not very critical.

Let's mention a few more programs for recording tags:

Using ready-made tags to control the device

One of the active participants in the NFC implementation process is Sony. Its devices come pre-installed with the Smart Connect program, which supports working with original Sony tags. If you wish, using the SmartTag Maker utility, you can create them yourself from blank blanks. The system uses the NDEF URI format with encoding of the label number/color in the text link. In total, the system provides up to eight tags, which are designated as “home”, “office”, “car”, “bedroom”, “listen”, “play”, “activities”, “watch”.

Variant of original Sony SmartTags

The Smart Connect program itself works not only with NFC tags, but also with other devices connected to the phone, including headsets, power supply, and Bluetooth devices. It’s quite convenient that the standard settings already correspond well to the above scenarios. In this case, the user can reprogram all circuits; each of them specifies a set of conditions and actions.

As a condition, you can use tag identification or device connection, and you can additionally limit the operating time of the circuit. The set of actions is quite wide, it includes launching an application, opening a link in the browser, starting music, adjusting volume and mode, connecting a Bluetooth audio device, sending SMS, making a call, managing wireless interfaces, adjusting brightness and other actions. Moreover, they can also be assigned to exit this mode, which is carried out by repeated recognition of the tag, by a new event/tag, or by the expiration of a specified time interval.

But in fact, it is not necessary to use Sony branded tags - you can also find use for ready-made tags that do not allow information to be overwritten. For example, these could be used transport cards. The fact is that each of them has its own unique identifier, which can be tied to certain actions using special programs. Possible reactions may include operations such as changing the profile, enabling/disabling interfaces, and many others.

There are several utilities for this scenario in the Play Store, let's mention a couple of them:

Let us remind you that you should not install several similar programs at once. This mode will not add any convenience, since when a tag is detected on the phone screen, a dialog box will appear asking you to select a program to process it.

While searching for programs for working with tags, we also came across another class of utilities that may be of interest if there are recordable tags. These programs use their own original recording format, which only they can work with. In this case, the set of possible actions is almost no different from those described above:

Let us remind you that at the moment the tag can be read only when the device is unlocked. So the scenario “came home, put the phone on the nightstand - automatically switched the profile, turned off the call and Bluetooth, set the alarm” will require some actions from the user. This behavior still slightly limits the capabilities of programs.

Exchange information between devices

With the exception of Android Beam, the scenarios described above assume the operation of a single phone with a tag or a specialized terminal. If we talk about the direct connection of devices with each other, then the main issue here is compatibility. Of course, in the case of products from one manufacturer, especially a large one, that manufacturer has the opportunity to simply install the appropriate program in the firmware. But if the devices are produced by different manufacturers, everyone will have to use the same utilities. And it’s not at all a fact that your partner will have the same program installed as yours.

Considering that NFC's own speed is very low, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is usually used to quickly transfer files, and NFC only works at the stage of negotiating connection parameters and establishing a connection. To test this scenario, we tried several file transfer programs on our devices that claim to support NFC.

Send! File Transfer (NFC) in the free version allows you to exchange photo, music and video files. You can use NFC or QR codes to establish communication. The transfer is carried out via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (if both devices have support for Wi-Fi Direct, which the Sony phone we used did not have). As a result, we were able to see a speed of 65 KB/s, which, of course, is too low even for photographs.

Blue NFC, as the name suggests, also simplifies file sharing over Bluetooth by replacing the power-on, search, and pairing steps with touch and NFC sharing. The speed of operation is not very high - at the level of the program mentioned above.

File Expert HD also uses Bluetooth, but the speed is already 100-200 KB/s. True, in fairness it is worth noting that this program has many other file sharing modes.

Conclusion

As of the spring of 2013, we can say that NFC technology already confidently occupies a place in modern high-end and mid-level smartphones. Interest in it can be indirectly assessed by the number of programs in the Play Store: there are already several hundred free projects alone. Considering the market dominance (especially in the number of models) of the Android platform, it is the most popular platform for NFC devices today. iOS does not provide standard tools for NFC, and Windows Phone 8 has significantly limited capabilities for working with NFC for third-party applications.

NFC technology itself has several features that allow it to occupy a unique position:

• contactless data transfer;
• work only over short distances;
• the ability to exchange information with other devices or passive tags;
• low cost solution;
• low power consumption;
• low data transfer speed.

Currently, for smartphones and tablets, there are three most relevant options for using NFC: exchanging data between devices (contacts, applications, links, photos and other files), reading tags with special information and changing device modes/settings/profiles, quick pairing with peripheral devices (such as headsets). In the first case, you can try working with the standard Android Beam program or install alternative options. They can be useful if you need high transfer speeds (via Wi-Fi), but require the same program on each device.

Passive tags can be used almost anywhere, from posters to magazines to product tags. They can record product information, a website link, Wi-Fi settings, contact information, geographic coordinates, or other small amount of data. The spread of this method of information exchange directly depends on the number of compatible devices users have. This scenario can be compared with common QR codes, which today are, perhaps, still simpler in terms of implementation and more popular.

To change system settings, you can use even non-recordable tags with some programs, so many users will be able to try this scenario. However, it should be noted that in this case the set of options will be recorded in a specific device, and transferring it to another device may be difficult. Most utilities for this purpose still require their own recorded tags, which allows them to store all the required information in encoded form directly in the tag (or cloud), so that to use these settings on another device, it will be enough to have the same program on it.

We did not consider in this article such NFC use cases as payment systems, electronic wallets and micropayments, tickets and coupons, transport cards and passes. These topics, especially the first, deserve separate consideration. We will try to return to them if there is reader interest and the spread of such solutions.

NFC on a phone is a high-quality wireless communication technology with a small radius of influence, which allows you to exchange information between two gadgets without contact. NFC is based on RFID, which is radio frequency recognition, which is a method of mechanically identifying an item.

What is NFC?

NFC is a contactless technology that can read and send information from devices over not very long distances. The abbreviation stands for "Near Field Communication". It is based on the principle of exchanging radio signals, identical to Bluetooth, but there is a significant difference. Bluetooth transmits data over long distances, several hundred meters, and NFC requires no more than 10 centimeters. This technology was developed as an extension for contactless cards, but it quickly gained popularity, and developers found application for it in other devices.

There are three ways to use this technology in cellular phones:

• read mode;
• emulation, when the device works like a payment card or pass;
• P2P mode, when information is exchanged between phones.

The chip is stored in the cell phone and is used as a means of payment; you can book tickets, pay for car parking or metro travel, and provide access control. Thanks to technological payment processes without contact, MasterCard PayPass and Visa PayWave cards with integrated antennas appeared, where the role of NFC was taken into account, and applications for Android smartphones were developed.

What is NFC in a smartphone - with close contact, a pair of devices communicate through magnetic field induction, when closely contacting loop antennas form a device. NFC covers frequencies in the 13.56 Megahertz spectrum, and the information transfer speed can reach 400 kilobits per second. The device operates in two modes:

1. Active. Both gadgets are provided with a power source and transmit information in turn.
2. Passive. The field power of one of the devices is used.

Which phones have NFC?

NFC on your phone gives you the chance to pay for purchases by touching your mobile phone to the terminal; it’s a kind of bank card on your cell phone. Just 6 years ago there were few devices that supported NFC, but now tablets, watches and other devices are equipped with chips. Which phones have this device:

• Apple – all iPhone models;
• Sony – Xperia S, L, Z series;
• Samsung – Galaxy S series;
• Motorola;
• Nokia-Lumia.

How can I tell if my phone supports NFC?

How to check if NFC is available on your phone? There are several ways:

1. Remove the back cover of the smartphone and inspect the battery; it should have the inscription “NFC” on it.
2. In the settings, find the “Wireless Networks” tab, click on “More”, if the technology is there, a line with the name of the technology will appear.
3. Swipe your hand over the screen and open the notification shade, where this option will be listed.

If there is no NFC, what should I do?

NFC on the phone - what are these modules? The following main types are distinguished:

• SIM cards;
• external devices;
• microcircuits;
• NFC modules;
• stickers.

The NFC module can be purchased together with the phones, but they are also sold separately. Stickers are attached to the cell phone body; they come in two types:

1. Active. They provide communication via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, but consume a lot of energy, so they require frequent recharging.
2. Passive. They do not exchange information with the phone and do not record it into the device through mobile communication channels.

How to install an NFC chip in your phone?

If it is not initially included in the device, an NFC module for the phone can be purchased and installed. There are two options to choose from:

1. NFC SIM card, many mobile operators now sell them.
2. NFC antenna. If there is no near field, this is the best solution. Communication shops also have such devices; they are glued to the SIM card, under the cover of the mobile phone. But there is one drawback: if the back cover is not removable or the SIM card hole is on the side, you will not be able to install such an antenna

How to enable NFC?

A device with NFC can be used not only as a wallet, travel card, or discount coupon; special tags also help to read data about goods in stores, and about any objects in museums and galleries. How does it turn on?

1. In the settings, select “Wireless networks”, then “More”.
2. The required inscription will appear, check the “Activate” box.

If your smartphone has an NFC chip, you need to activate Android Beam:

1. In the settings, click the “Advanced” tab.

Click on the NFC switch, the Android function is activated automatically. If this does not happen, you need to click on the “Android Beam” tab and select “enable”.

1. In order for data exchange to go smoothly, you need to make sure that both phones support NFC and Android Beam, first you need to activate them. The following is the action plan:
2. Select a file to transfer.
3. Press the back covers of the phones together.
4. Hold the devices until a beep sounds, which confirms that the exchange is complete.

Regardless of the type of file, NFC technology assumes the following information transfer algorithm:

1. Hold the devices only with their backs facing each other.
2. Wait until they find each other.
3. Confirm the request for data transfer.
4. Wait for a message that the process has completed.

What is NFC on a phone?– This is a technology that was used to make payments without cards or any contact with the terminal. Over time, the functionality of NFC has increased and it can be used to transfer a variety of data. To use the technology, you will need to have a built-in chip in the device and enter your banking information. Relevant for use in stores, as an interactive business card or key card for access to certain elements in systems.

What is NFC in a smartphone?

NFC on a phone: what is it and how to use it? – These are 2 related questions that are directly related to the name of the technology, which in Russian stands for “nearby field communication.” The technology is a wireless connection method over a short distance. 2 devices in which this chip is built can exchange information with each other. The transmission distance is only a few centimeters. The operating principle is reminiscent of the infrared port in older device models.

Today, NFC is installed in almost all mobile devices manufactured by market leaders. Initially, the concept of the technology meant its use as a virtual form of debit cards. Among the auxiliary useful areas of use that have appeared over time are passes to various institutions and personal identification. The assistive use of technology provides the ability to share various files, links and other content. Using programs, it is possible to record information and put it into special cards.

Technology support began with Android 4.0; mobile platforms have a built-in function - Beam for exchanging files between smartphones.

We remember that there is a Bluetooth service, so why an additional function with a smaller coverage radius? Bluetooth transmission of personal data with a high degree of security is not suitable, since the signal travels far and can be intercepted, and accordingly, the risk of data theft increases. In addition to the security of NFC, it is worth noting the instant connection, compared with Bluetooth, which takes a long time to connect.

How do you know if it's NFC?

Finding out which phones have NFC is the primary task for starting to use the technology. Not all devices contain this chip, although they are being installed more and more often in modern smartphones.

For a number of manufacturers, including Samsung, the presence of a function can be determined by examining the sticker placed on the battery. If a feature is available, there will be a corresponding inscription with the full name of the feature. Other manufacturers stick on a corresponding logo that indicates the presence of NFC.

In the smartphone itself, you can see whether the module is installed using the settings:

1. You need to go to “Settings”;
2. Next, you should find the “Wireless networks” column and tap on the “More…” button to get additional parameters;

1. There must be a special item for setting up NFC.

When you have already managed to find out whether your phone has NFC, you can move on to the next stage - initializing the launch of the function. This is how permission to use data exchange technology should be established.

NFC activation:

1. You should click on “Settings”;
2. Then go to the “Wireless Networks” category and select “More...”;
3. You need to check the box next to the “allow data exchange...” option; the function will be available if the tablets or smartphones are compatible with each other;
4. Android Beam is automatically activated;

1. If the Beam function did not turn on on its own, you should click on it and turn it on manually.

When Android Beam is disabled, a number of restrictions are imposed on operation via NFC between devices.

How to use NFC?

When the mode is activated, you need to move on to the next stage - using the technology for the required purpose (data or payment).

If you plan to transfer data, you need to pay attention to:

• Smartphones or tablets must have NFC mode activated and the Android Beam auxiliary function;
• When locked or in sleep mode, data transmission is interrupted;
• when devices are combined at an optimal distance, a special sound signal will be transmitted, which indicates that the device has entered the NFC range;
• The devices cannot be separated until the final data transfer, which will be indicated by a special sound signal.

The transfer process itself is simple and very similar to the standard Bluetooth function. It is possible to transfer data between any devices:

1. You need to go to the folder with the corresponding content.
2. Connect the devices back to back, placing them end to end.
3. You should expect an audio message indicating that the smartphones are in contact with each other. On the smartphone screen there will be a message to send, which you should click on to start the transfer.

NFC stands for Near Field Communication or literally “near field communication”. This technology is used to transfer data between devices over a distance of up to 10 cm. Communication is maintained through magnetic field induction.

NFC can operate in active and passive modes. For the first, it is necessary that both devices have their own power source, and for the second, one is enough. In the latter case, one of the devices receives its operating power from the electromagnetic region of the other.

The NFC chip itself is quite compact in size, which allows it to be installed in smartphones, audio speakers, tablets and other mobile gadgets.

What can NFC be used for?

Compared to technology, NFC has a very high connection speed between devices. At the same time, the data transfer speed itself in the active communication mode is quite low. That is why in smartphones NFC is usually used only to transfer contacts, links, notes, and coordinates on the map.

When transferring large files, the technology is used only to connect devices, and the content is sent via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This even applies to sending simple videos or documents via the Send function.

You can find out the exact location of the chip's antennas in the instructions for the device. However, in most cases they are located on the back of the case. Therefore, when connecting via NFC, smartphones need to be leaned against each other with their back panels.

Passive communication mode can be used to read information from programmable NFC chips or so-called tags. They do not have their own power source, and activation occurs from the electromagnetic field of the reader device.

The main purpose of tags is to obtain additional information about a product or some event. In some retail chains, NFC tags are already replacing barcodes. By leaning the smartphone, the buyer can get detailed information about the expiration date and storage conditions.

Tags are also used to automate various actions on a smartphone - turning on applications, changing the sound profile, sending messages, and so on. For example, you can program a tag to launch your navigator and attach it to your car. As soon as you place your smartphone on it, the gadget will start automatically.

Tags are programmed through special applications on a smartphone, such as NFC Tools.

Gadgets with NFC can be used to emulate smart cards used as a pass, key or travel card. However, with the arrival of the Android Pay and Samsung Pay payment systems in Russia, the main purpose of the NFC chip in a smartphone became the emulation of bank cards for contactless payments.

To pay for goods using NFC, you just need to bring your smartphone to the terminal at the checkout. The main thing is to first link your bank card to a payment system available for your smartphone.

Android Pay has the greatest coverage across devices, since, unlike similar services from Apple and Samsung, it is not tailored to devices of a specific manufacturer. However, you can use any of these payment systems without fear or risk.

None of them transmits the card number to the terminal itself at the time of payment. Instead, a so-called token is used - a digital encrypted identifier that is generated automatically when the card is activated. It is he who will be read as the main requisite.

How secure is NFC?

Devices with NFC can both receive and transmit data at the same time, allowing them to detect inconsistencies if the received signal does not match the transmitted one.

The risk of your data being intercepted is extremely low, especially given the technology's minimal range. The same Bluetooth, which operates within tens of meters, is much more vulnerable to external interference.

This also applies to payment details: the token generated for contactless payment will not allow attackers to gain access. And the very fact of intercepting an encrypted identifier looks unrealistic.

In addition, contactless payment requires confirmation via fingerprint reading, password or facial scan. Without all this, the purchase cannot be made. This means that even if the smartphone is stolen, no one will be able to use it as a payment instrument.

Once upon a time, only expensive flagships supported this technology, but now you can buy a smartphone with NFC for less than 10,000 rubles. In any case, this applies to Android devices. Among the most affordable are Nokia 3, Samsung Galaxy J5, Motorola Moto G5s.

In the Apple ecosystem, the cheapest smartphone with Apple Pay support is the iPhone SE, which today costs just under 20,000 rubles. All more expensive models, starting with the iPhone 6, also have an NFC chip.

If you don't know if your Android smartphone has NFC, you can check by searching through the settings. Typically, technology-related features are available in the connections or wireless sections. Also, the NFC icon should be present in the list of quick launch icons in the curtain at the top.

Many people have heard about this technology, but not everyone knows what NFC is, why a corresponding module is needed in a smartphone and what benefits it can bring to its owner.

By the way, this feature appeared in Samsung smartphones quite a long time ago - back in 2011. The very first Galaxy Note already included (albeit optionally) an NFC adapter, just like its “contemporary” Galaxy S2 (I9100). And the joint Samsung Nexus S had one back in 2010.

What is NFC?

The full decoding of this abbreviation is Near Field Communication, which can be translated as “near field communications.” It must be said that the range of the NFC antenna is actually very limited and usually does not exceed 10-20 cm.

This technology allows for contactless data exchange through the induction of a magnetic field, and both passive exchange (say, a card - terminal) and active (two smartphones) are possible.

The technology is found widely outside of mobile technologies, for example for transport cards or entry cards that rest against turnstiles.

Data transfer

Initially, there was no particular benefit from NFC technology in smartphones. For example, it made it possible to transfer data between two devices with almost instantaneous detection of the receiver, but it was associated with two inconveniences at once:

1. Data transfer speed is almost at the level of the infrared port.
2. The need to keep smartphones in close proximity to each other.

Thus, as a means of data transmission, NFC was clearly inferior to more convenient and faster solutions - Bluetooth and WiFi Direct.

Contactless mobile payments

NFC support in smartphones became a really useful thing, however, only with the release of Android 4.4 KitKat, where full support for emulating a contactless bank card with MasterCard PayPass and VISA PayWire technologies appeared.

Previously, it was only available for Nexus smartphones using the proprietary Google Wallet application (does not really work outside the US).

However, thanks to Android 4.4 KitKat and later versions, quite a large number of applications have already been released around the world that allow you to use a smartphone instead of a payment card.

By the way, with the help of special software, a smartphone can even be turned into a payment terminal that can accept MasterCard PayPass and VISA PayWire cards for payment.

Perhaps the most multifunctional application that allows you to issue a contactless bank card or connect an existing one.

Release of a new card:

1. “Tinkoff” is a prepaid MasterCard PayPass card, there is the possibility of simplified identification for expanding limits and payments abroad. Using the card and SMS notifications is free. The downside is the lack of transaction history (only in SMS and upon request on the bank’s hotline). Free replenishment on the bank’s website and in many terminals.
2. “Russian Standard” is a virtual MasterCard PayPass without identification and with low limits. It is useless when paying abroad. There is a transaction history.

You can also store discount cards from a variety of stores in the application without having to carry them with you every time.

It is possible to work on a rooted smartphone (a warning about disclaimer is issued).

This application also allows you to pay for smartphone purchases using VISA PayWire. To activate payment via NFC, the smartphone must have “clean” non-rooted firmware.

If you identify the “Standard” level and above, payment for goods and services abroad is available.

The contactless payment function appeared in this Android program relatively recently. Upon activation, a separate contactless card is generated and attached to the wallet. When paying, the payment is debited from the main balance.

Can work on smartphones with active root mode.

"Corn"

The application for the popular Russian payment system also supports contactless payment, and while the Kukuruza cards themselves are issued on MasterCard plastic, the virtual NFC card in the application is VISA PayWire.

In order to use contactless payment in the application, the user must have an active “Kukuruza” card and a non-rooted smartphone. Note that this function may not work on Chinese smartphones with NFC, which, according to the program, have a “strange” system that has been modified (due to the general crookedness of Chinese firmware).

Mobile application from Russian Standard Bank

In this application, it is possible to issue a contactless card for payments, and it is not at all necessary to be a bank client. However, there is no identification option even for existing customers, so the card is highly limited in terms of limits and cannot be used to pay outside of Russia.

Mobile Privat24

This application may be useful for users of smartphones with NFC from Ukraine. Bank clients can create a virtual card for contactless payments using a smartphone. The card is attached to one of the existing accounts in any currency.

Emulation of electronic travel documents

Modern cards for travel on public transport (for example, the Moscow metro) are often based on NFC technology. Therefore, with the help of special programs, you can easily copy them and use your smartphone instead of a travel card.

Other uses

A smartphone with NFC module support can also be used as a terminal for reading/writing contactless cards. There are programs that allow you to unlock your smartphone screen using a contactless smart card.