At a glance
How to program NFC tags with your phone or computer. Covers URL encoding, vCards, Wi-Fi credentials, locking, and common mistakes.
SEE THE IDEA IN ACTION
Start with a tap
Write a link. Tap to open it. A writable NFC tag and an NFC-capable phone.
How to Write NFC Tags Using Your Phone
How To Use A NFC Tag?
Also in
- 01Copy the link you want to share.
- 02Write a URL record with an NFC writing app.
- 03Test the tag on another phone before locking it.
The Problem
NFC tags ship blank. You need to write your URL, vCard, or Wi-Fi credentials onto them before they do anything. Get the encoding wrong and the tag either won't scan or opens the wrong thing.
Who This Is For
- Anyone who just received their NFC tags
- Businesses setting up NFC for marketing or operations
- Developers testing NFC implementations
- Users wanting to program custom content
Quick Decision Rules
- 1Simple URL redirectUse any NFC writer app
- 2vCard/contact sharingUse vCard NDEF format
- 3Wi-Fi sharingUse Wi-Fi NDEF format
- 4App launchUse Android Application Record (AAR)
- 5Multiple recordsEnsure total size fits chip memory
- 6Want to prevent changesLock the tag after writing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not testing the tag immediately after encoding
- Using HTTP instead of HTTPS (browsers may warn)
- Encoding URLs that are too long for the chip memory
- Locking tags before verifying the content is correct
- Not accounting for URL redirects eating into memory
Frequently Asked Questions
On Android, we recommend NFC Tools (free) or NFC TagWriter by NXP. On iPhone, use NFC Tools or NFC for iPhone. All of these support URL, vCard, and Wi-Fi encoding.