NFC tags are small stickers that contain a tiny chip and an antenna that can store and transmit data using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. NFC is a wireless communication method that allows devices to exchange data when they are close together, usually within a few centimeters. NFC tags can be used for various purposes, such as automating tasks, controlling devices, accessing information, and more. In this article, we will show you 30 ingenious ways you can use NFC tags in your daily life.
1. Automate Sleep Mode With NFC
You can use NFC tags to automate your phone settings when you go to bed or wake up. For example, you can program an NFC tag to turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound, and brightness when you place your phone near it at night. You can also program another NFC tag to turn on these settings when you place your phone near it in the morning. This way, you can save battery and avoid distractions while sleeping.
2. Set Kitchen Timers
You can use NFC tags to set timers for your cooking or baking activities. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your oven or microwave and program it to launch a timer app on your phone when you tap it. You can also program different NFC tags for different dishes or recipes and label them accordingly.
3. Run Siri Shortcuts on iPhone
You can use NFC tags to run Siri Shortcuts on your iPhone. Siri Shortcuts are custom commands that you can create or download to perform various actions on your phone or other devices. For example, you can create a Siri Shortcut to play music, send a message, order food, or control your smart home devices. You can then program an NFC tag to trigger the shortcut when you tap it with your iPhone.
4. Use NFC to Connect Bluetooth Device
You can use NFC tags to connect your phone to a Bluetooth device without going through the pairing process. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your speaker or headphone and program it to turn on Bluetooth and connect to the device when you tap it with your phone. This way, you can enjoy wireless music or calls with a single tap.
5. Pay Bills Using NFC
You can use NFC tags to pay bills using your phone. Many payment apps and services support NFC payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and PayPal. You can also use NFC tags to pay for public transportation, parking, vending machines, and more. Just look for the NFC symbol or logo on the payment terminal or device and tap your phone to complete the transaction.
6. Track Your Car Mileage
You can use NFC tags to track your car mileage and fuel consumption. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your car dashboard and program it to launch a mileage tracker app on your phone when you tap it. You can then enter the odometer reading and fuel amount every time you start or end a trip. The app will calculate and record your mileage and fuel efficiency for you.
7. Use NFC in Your Car
You can use NFC tags to automate various tasks in your car. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your car mount and program it to launch a navigation app, play music, or read messages when you place your phone on it. You can also place an NFC tag on your car key and program it to lock or unlock your car doors when you tap it with your phone.
8. Use NFC to Set a Smart Alarm
You can use NFC tags to set a smart alarm that will wake you up gently and help you start your day. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your bedside table and program it to launch an alarm app on your phone when you tap it before going to sleep. The app will then play soothing sounds or music at a gradually increasing volume until you wake up. You can also program the app to perform other actions after the alarm goes off, such as turning on the lights, reading the news, or giving you a weather report.
9. Emergency Call/Text
You can use NFC tags to make an emergency call or text in case of an accident or danger. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your bike helmet or backpack and program it to call 911 or send a text message with your location and situation when you tap it with your phone. This way, you can get help quickly and easily.
10. Use NFC To Call Mom
You can use NFC tags to call your mom or any other contact with a single tap. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your fridge or desk and program it to call your mom when you tap it with your phone. This way, you can stay in touch with her without having to dial her number every time.
11. Foursquare Check-In
You can use NFC tags to check in at various places using Foursquare or other social media apps. For example, you can place an NFC tag at your favorite restaurant or bar and program it to check in at that location when you tap it with your phone. This way, you can share your whereabouts with your friends and earn badges and rewards.
12. Leave Secret Message
You can use NFC tags to leave secret messages for someone else to discover. For example, you can place an NFC tag on a gift card or a book and program it to display a text message or an image when someone taps it with their phone. You can also use encryption apps to make the message more secure and private.
13. Organize Junk With NFC Tags
You can use NFC tags to organize your junk drawers or closets by labeling them with relevant information. For example, you can place an NFC tag on a box of cables and program it to list the types and lengths of the cables inside when you tap it with your phone. You can also place an NFC tag on a jar of coins and program it to count the value of the coins inside when you tap it with your phone.
14. Connect/Disconnect Wi-Fi
You can use NFC tags to connect or disconnect Wi-Fi on your phone without going through the settings menu. For example, you can place an NFC tag near your router and program it to turn on Wi-Fi and connect to the network when you tap it with your phone. You can also place another NFC tag near the door and program it to turn off Wi-Fi when you tap it before leaving home.
15. Share Wi-Fi Without Sharing The Password
You can use NFC tags to share Wi-Fi access with others without sharing the password verbally or typing it manually. For example, if you have guests at home who want to use Wi-Fi but don’t know the password, you can place an NFC tag near the router and program it to share the Wi-Fi credentials when someone taps it with their phone.
16. Start Tasker Task
You can use NFC tags to start Tasker tasks on your Android phone without opening the app manually. Tasker is a powerful automation app that lets you create various tasks based on triggers and conditions (such as time, location, event, etc.). For example, if you want Tasker to mute your phone during meetings but only if they are marked as busy in Google Calendar , then all
you have
to do is create this task in Tasker . Then ,youcan place an NFC tag near your meeting room and program it
to start the task when you tap it with your phone .
17. Unlock Your Door
You can use NFC tags to unlock your door without keys. For example, if you have a smart lock that supports NFC, you can program an NFC tag to unlock the door when you tap it with your phone and place it near the lock. You can also program another NFC tag to lock the door when you leave and place it near the door handle.
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18. Start PC With Your Smartphone
You can use NFC tags to start your PC with your smartphone without pressing the power button. For example, if you have a PC that supports Wake-on-LAN, you can program an NFC tag to send a magic packet to wake up the PC when you tap it with your smartphone and place it near the PC.
19. NFC-enabled Loyalty Cards
You can use NFC tags to store and redeem loyalty cards from various stores. For example, if you have a loyalty card from Starbucks, you can program an NFC tag to store the card number and barcode when you tap it with your smartphone and place it on the card. Then, whenever you want to use the card, just tap it again and show the barcode on your screen.
20. Use NFC To Control Your Surrounding
You can use NFC tags to control your surrounding devices such as lights, fans, thermostats, etc. For example, if you have smart devices that support NFC, you can program an NFC tag to turn on/off or adjust the device when you tap it with your smartphone and place it near the device.
21. Anti-fake Brand Protection
You can use NFC tags to protect your brand from counterfeiting or piracy by adding a layer of authentication and verification. For example, you can place an NFC tag on your product or package and program it to show the origin, quality, or warranty of the product when someone taps it with their smartphone. You can also use NFC tags to track the distribution and sales of your product or offer rewards and incentives to loyal customers.
22. NFC in retail
The retail sector has been using NFC for contactless mobile payments. But NFC in retail has more potential than just a payment method.
Retailers are using NFC tags to share product information, offer discounts, run in-store marketing campaigns, and more.
23. NFC in healthcare
NFC-based SOS features are now standard on many smartphones. You can scan a smartphone to know the medical history, raise an SOS alarm for a person involved in an accident or in an emergency.
Also, NFC tags on sealed medical packages help doctors and caregivers check dosage info and prescriptions using their smartphones.
24. NFC in banking and finance
Banks and financial institutions are using NFC beyond payments. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Android Pay, and other NFC-enabled mobile wallets are just the beginning of the possibilities in the banking sector.
NFC tags are easily recyclable, reducing the use of non-degradable plastic cards. Many financial institutions are also using NFC tags as keys to lockers and deposit boxes for customers.
25. NFC in travel
NFC tags can be used to check in at specific locations. To enhance the customer experience at various venues, NFCs are used to embed links to menus or other important information, especially in places and contexts where QR codes won’t work. Imagine visiting a restaurant, tapping your phone on an NFC tag at the entrance, and instantly accessing the menu on your phone without having to touch a physical menu. This technology can be particularly useful for travelers.
26. NFC in sport activities and events
NFC tags are useful and convenient for sports like orienteering, where athletes can use their smartphones instead of often very expensive equipment and tracking systems to access information about their location, to confirm their presence at control points, or to time their effort. Such use of NFC tags in sport events can be especially helpful in places where GPS doesn’t work, like in a dense forest.
27. NFC-assisted escape rooms
NFC technology is effective at activating automation in sequences in escape rooms. For example, an NFC tag can be placed in a certain location, and when the player taps their phone on it, it triggers a mechanism that opens a door or reveals a clue.
28. NFC for employee control systems
Instead of relying on manual log entries, NFC tags can be used to track the movements of employees such as cleaners or security personnel. The system records when the employee was present in a specific location at a specific time, making it easier to account for employee performance and movement.
29. Emergency Call/Text
If you have kids at home who can’t type yet or if you want to know if your kids reached home safely while you are at work, you can program NFC tags to send you an email or a text message on your number and then teach your child to just tap their home phone on the NFC tag. There are several apps that you can use to program NFC tags, we’ll cover them shortly on TechWiser.
30. Foursquare Check-In
Wouldn’t it look cool if your customers can directly update Foursquare check-ins by just tapping their smartphones to your menu card or the reception desk? For details, check out this article on how to create an NFC tag for Foursquare check-ins. Alternatively, if you own a small business, you can still use NFC tags to ask your customers for reviews on Google Maps.
