NFC
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless communication technology. It allows two devices to exchange data at a distance of up to 10 cm without using the internet.
Contents
What is NFC in simple words
NFC (Near Field Communication, “short-range communication”) is a technology of wireless data transmission at a very close distance (usually up to 10 cm). In simple terms, it is like a short “conversing” signal between two devices that allows them to exchange information when you bring them close to each other.
You use NFC every day when you pay for purchases with your phone in a store — you simply bring your smartphone to a terminal. NFC is also used for metro travel (electronic tickets), for transferring files between phones and for managing a smart home (turning on the light using an NFC tag).
According to analytical companies, more than 85% of all smartphones sold in 2025 support NFC. By 2027, this figure will reach 90%. NFC is becoming a standard for mobile devices, especially in the contactless payments segment. In Russia, the technology is actively used in the Mir national payment system and the Fast Payment System (SBP) for contactless payments through Mir Pay, SberPay, T-Pay and other applications.
The technology is completely safe: the electromagnetic field operates only over a distance of a few centimeters, so fraudsters cannot unnoticed "write off" money from your phone. Read about how NFC is used in payment systems in the article Fintech.
How NFC works
NFC is based on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and operates at 13.56 MHz. When two NFC devices are brought close to each other at a distance of up to 10 cm, an electromagnetic field arises between them, which transmits the data. The data transfer speed is up to 424 kbps, which is enough for exchanging small amounts of information.
Three NFC operating modes
- Reading/writing: A device (for example, a smartphone) reads or writes information to an NFC tag (a sticker, key fob or card). Used for smart home management and task automation (for example, touching a tag to turn on an alarm or mute the phone).
- P2P (Peer-to-Peer): Two devices exchange data directly. Used for transferring files, contacts and links between smartphones. On Android smartphones, the “Quick Share” function (or the outdated Android Beam) is used for this.
- Card emulation: The device “pretends” to be a bank card or pass. It is this mode that is used for contactless payment. The smartphone transmits encrypted data to the terminal, imitating a physical card.
Main applications of NFC
1. Contactless payment
The most popular function. A smartphone or smart watch replaces a bank card — you just bring the gadget to a terminal at the checkout. You will need supported payment applications (Google Wallet, Mir Pay, SberPay, T-Pay). In Russia, contactless payment via NFC works on Android smartphones. On the iPhone, the built-in NFC chip is blocked for third-party payment systems, so Apple device owners have alternative options (payment stickers, QR codes).
2. Fare payment
A smartphone is used as an electronic ticket in the metro, buses and commuter trains. You just bring your phone to a turnstile or validator. In many Russian cities, fare payment via NFC already works (for example, Troika in Moscow, Podorozhnik in Saint Petersburg).
3. Replacing loyalty cards
Applications (for example, Wallet or Apple Wallet) can store all your discount and bonus cards. At the checkout, you simply bring your phone to the store's scanner — and the discount is applied. You do not need to carry dozens of plastic cards.
4. Quick data exchange
Instant transfer of photos, videos and contacts between phones. On Android smartphones, the “Quick Share” function or NFC tags is used for this. For iOS, the equivalent is AirDrop, but it uses not NFC but faster technologies (Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth).
5. Electronic key
NFC turns a phone into a pass (for turnstiles at work) or a digital key for a smart lock and some car models. For example, Tesla allows you to open and start a car with an NFC key on your phone.
6. NFC tags
Small stickers with a built-in chip. By touching them with a phone, you can, for example, instantly turn on an alarm, switch the smartphone to silent mode, connect to Wi-Fi or open a website. Read about how to automate tasks in the article Low-code.
Frequently asked questions
What is NFC in simple words?
NFC is a technology that allows devices to exchange data over a very short distance (up to 10 cm). The most famous example is paying in a store with a phone: you simply bring your smartphone to a terminal. NFC is also used for metro travel, transferring files between phones and managing a smart home. Read about how NFC works in payments in the article Fintech.
How to enable NFC on a phone?
On Android: go to “Settings” → “Connections” (or “Network & Internet”) → find the NFC item and move the slider to “On”. You can also enable it through the notification shade (swipe down) — the NFC icon should be there. On the iPhone, NFC is enabled by default and does not require manual activation — it is automatically activated when using payment applications (Apple Pay). Read more about configuration in the article Infrastructure.
How to find out if there is NFC on a phone?
A quick way: type the command *#06# on the phone keypad — if there is NFC, you will see a line with the EID (Embedded Identity Document). Or go to “Settings” and enter “NFC” in the search — if the item exists, the module is supported. You can also check in “Settings” → “Connections” — look for the NFC or Contactless Payments item. On iPhone, NFC is present in all models from iPhone 6 and above, but it is used only for Apple Pay.
How to set up payment through NFC?
To set up payment via NFC: enable NFC on your phone (on Android), install a payment application (Google Wallet, Mir Pay, SberPay, T-Pay), add a bank card (scan it with the camera or enter manually). Confirm the card via SMS or the bank application. Then simply unlock the phone (place a finger or enter a password) and bring it to a payment terminal. You do not need to open the application for payment — it is enough that the screen is active. Read about payment systems in the article Fintech.
Is it safe to use NFC for payment?
Yes, NFC is safe. The range is only 2-10 cm, so an attacker cannot “read” the data at a distance. In addition, payment requires unlocking the screen (password, fingerprint or Face ID). The payment data itself is not transmitted — instead of the card number, an encrypted digital token is used (tokenization), which is useless for attackers. Banks also use additional transaction verification. Read about data protection in the article Digital footprint.
Do I need to turn off NFC on my phone?
You do not have to turn off NFC — it almost does not consume battery (less than 1% per day) and is safe. However, for maximum security, experts recommend disabling it in public places (transport, streets) to rule out the theoretical possibility of an attack (although such attacks are extremely rare due to the short range). At home, you can leave it on for comfort. Read about mobile device security in the article Digital footprint.
Can I use NFC without the internet?
Yes, NFC works without the internet. Data transfer between devices happens directly over a radio channel at 13.56 MHz. Contactless payment does not require the internet — the terminal contacts the bank through its own network (for example, through GSM or Ethernet), not through your phone. However, some functions (for example, checking a card balance or activating some payment applications) may require the internet, but the main NFC function works offline.
Other terms in «Infrastructure»
Was this information helpful?
Build reliable IT infrastructure
Build a modern, fault-tolerant IT infrastructure. Design, equipment supply, installation and maintenance turnkey.