Contents of the article
- How does NFC work?
- Where is NFC used besides payments?
- How are NFC and electronic wallets related?
- Do all phones have NFC?
- NFC security and phone locking
- Advantages of NFC for everyday payments
- Conclusion
NFC is a technology for wireless data exchange over very short distances. It allows you to pay with your phone or smartwatch in a store by placing the device on the terminal, just like a bank card.
The abbreviation NFC stands for Near Field Communication. This means that information is only transferred when the devices are very close to each other.
In everyday life, NFC in a phone is primarily needed for contactless payments, but its capabilities are not limited to this.
How does NFC work?
A smartphone has a special chip installed in it — an NFC module. It creates a weak electromagnetic field that allows the phone to exchange data with another nearby device, such as a payment terminal.
For communication via the NFC module to take place, the device and the terminal must be very close to each other — at a distance of 2-5 cm. This proximity is part of the security system: data is not transferred “remotely,” only when the user consciously performs an action.
Where is NFC used besides payments?
Although most people associate NFC with mobile payments, the technology is also used in other situations:
- reading electronic tickets and boarding passes;
- electronic passes and access keys;
- interaction with NFC tags (for example, quickly opening a website or settings);
- in some cases — quickly connecting devices.
In other words, NFC is a universal tool for short-range interaction between devices.
How are NFC and electronic wallets related?
It is important to distinguish between technology and service:
- NFC is a technical method of data transfer.
- An electronic wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet) is an application that stores a digital version of your card.
To pay with your phone, the electronic wallet “prepares” the payment, and NFC transmits the data to the terminal. In other words, NFC is a “bridge” rather than a payment service itself.
For more information on how to pay with your phone, read our article Electronic wallet: how mobile payments work and whether they are secure.
Do all phones have NFC?
The vast majority of modern smartphones released after 2018 have an NFC module. This applies not only to premium models, but also to affordable devices.
You can check if your phone has NFC:
- in the Settings → Connections / Wireless features section;
- in the model specifications on the manufacturer's or retailer's website;
- by asking a store or service center consultant.
If NFC is not available, contactless payment by phone in stores will not work, even if you have an electronic wallet installed.
NFC security and phone locking
Although the technology itself is designed to work at very close range, it is very important for security to set up a lock on your phone (PIN code, fingerprint, or facial recognition). This:
- prevents accidental payments;
- protects your payment details if you lose your device;
- ensures that no payment will be made without your involvement.
Usually, without screen lock enabled, it is impossible to add a card to an electronic wallet.
Advantages of NFC for everyday payments
Using your phone instead of a card has several practical advantages:
- you don't need to carry multiple cards with you.
- payments are quick — just hold your device up to the reader.
- card details are not entered manually and are not transmitted in plain text.
- you can store not only cards, but also tickets and passes in one place.
That is why NFC payments by phone are becoming a familiar part of everyday life for many people.
Conclusion
NFC is a technology for wireless data transmission over very short distances, which allows a smartphone to “talk” to nearby devices. The NFC module in your phone is the technical tool for contactless data transfer, and phone payments are made through an electronic wallet that uses this technology.
It is not a complicated feature, but it is the basis of modern contactless payments and many other digital services that make everyday life easier and safer.
