How to read and write NFC tags on iPhone
Every iPhone from the iPhone 7 onwards has an NFC reader that apps can use for tags, not just Apple Pay. This guide covers what your iPhone can do on its own, what needs an app, which tags to buy, and the two settings you can't take back: locking and passwords.
Which iPhones support NFC tags
| iPhone | Read with an app | Write with an app | Read links without an app |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 6 and earlier | No (Apple Pay only) | No | No |
| iPhone 7, 8 and X | Yes | Yes (iOS 13 or later) | No |
| iPhone XS, XR and later | Yes | Yes | Yes |
NFC Toolkit itself requires iOS 17 or later, which means iPhone XS, XR, SE (2nd generation) or newer. iPads don't have an NFC tag reader.
Where is the NFC antenna?
At the top edge of the iPhone, near the rear camera. Hold the top of the phone flat against the tag and keep it still for a second. Most cases are fine, but metal plates, magnetic wallets and cards in a wallet case can block or confuse the reader. The range is only a few centimetres.
Reading a tag
Without an app
On iPhone XS and later, simply holding the phone near a tag reads it in the background, as long as the iPhone is in use. If the tag holds a website, phone number, email, SMS, FaceTime or Maps link, a notification appears; tap it to open. Background reading is paused while the camera or Wallet is open, in Airplane Mode, and before the first unlock after a restart. Other record types, such as Wi-Fi networks, contact cards and plain text, are ignored without an app.
With NFC Toolkit
Open the Scan tab, tap Scan and hold your iPhone to the tag. You'll see the chip type (for example NTAG215), the UID, the technology, how much memory is used, whether the tag is writable, and every record decoded with actions: Open, Call, Copy, Add contact and Share. Developers can open a hex dump of the tag's memory. You can also start a scan from the Home Screen widget or the Shortcuts app.
Which NFC tags to buy
For iPhone, NXP's NTAG21x family (NFC Forum Type 2) is the safe choice. The three sizes differ only in memory:
| Chip | User memory | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| NTAG213 | 144 bytes | A website link, a phone number, a Wi-Fi network with a normal password, Shortcuts automations |
| NTAG215 | 504 bytes | Contact cards (vCard), several records on one tag |
| NTAG216 | 888 bytes | Long contact cards, longer text |
A few bytes go to the record structure, so NFC Toolkit's size meter shows the real total before you write. Avoid MIFARE Classic tags (often sold as "1K"): iPhones can't read or write them. Key fobs labelled 125 kHz are a different, older RFID technology that no phone can read. For metal surfaces, buy tags sold as "on-metal".
Writing a tag
- Open the Write tab. In NFC Toolkit, open the Write tab.
- Add content. Tap a template, or Add record and choose a website, text, phone, email, SMS, location, Wi-Fi network or contact.
- Check the size. Watch the size meter. Tag size can stay on Auto-detect, or pick NTAG213, 215 or 216.
- Write. Tap Write to tag and hold the top of your iPhone against the tag.
- Confirm. Wait for Written successfully, then scan the tag to double-check.
Two things to know: writing replaces everything on the tag, and when a tag holds several records, phones usually act on the first one, so put the most important record at the top.
Locking is permanent
Locking sets the tag's lock bits, making it read-only forever. Nobody, including you and NFC Toolkit, can rewrite, erase or unlock it afterwards. It's the right choice for public tags that should never change. NFC Toolkit asks you to type LOCK before it does it. Always test a tag before locking it.
Password protection
NTAG213, 215 and 216 support a 32-bit password. In NFC Toolkit you enter it as 4 characters or 8 hex digits.
- By default the password protects writing: anyone can still read the tag, but changing it needs the password.
- The option Also require it to read hides the content too. It's off by default so other phones can still read the tag.
- You can remove the password later with the same password.
- If you lose the password, there's no reset; the tag can't be rewritten.
- It's meant to stop casual tampering, not determined attackers, and it doesn't encrypt the data.
Erase and duplicate
Erase removes everything so you can reuse the tag (not possible on locked tags). Duplicate copies the records from one tag onto another writable tag. It doesn't copy the UID, which is set at the factory, and it can't copy hotel keys, office badges or payment cards, which are protected.
Lock, password, erase, duplicate, the saved library and full history are Pro tools: use one once by watching a short ad, or unlock them all with a single purchase. Reading and writing are always free.
Troubleshooting
- Tag not detected: move the top edge of the iPhone slowly over the tag; remove metal and magnetic accessories; try another tag in case it's damaged or isn't NFC.
- Write failed: the tag may be locked, password-protected, or too small for the content.
- Unsupported tag: check the chip type; MIFARE Classic and 125 kHz tags won't work with an iPhone.