NFC Tags
Guides and how-tos on NFC tags - choosing NTAG chips, writing NDEF records, and building tap-to-trigger interactions on iPhone and Android.
Parse NFC Tap Counter Data With iOS Shortcuts
Drop-in iOS Shortcuts that parse the NFC Tap Counter's tag ID and scan count - a reusable parser, and a tag-alert demo that uses it.
How to Count NFC Tag Scans Without a Server
Put the same URL on 50 NFC stickers and you can't tell which one was tapped - unless the tag counts itself. Here's how.
NFC Safe: Store Encrypted Secrets on Durable NFC Tags
256-bit AES on epoxy-coated NFC tags. Paper backups burn. Cloud backups go down. NFC tags don't.
NFC.cool Tools 6.11.0 - OpenPrintTag support
Tools 6.11 lands with native support for the OpenPrintTag standard - read and write smart-spool data on 3D-printer filament tags from any vendor.
How to Check and Reset Your Philips Sonicare Brush Head Counter with NFC
Your Sonicare toothbrush has an NFC chip inside every brush head that counts down until you buy a replacement. Here's what it actually tracks, and how to check your usage or reset the counter with NFC.cool Tools.
Why vCard NFC Tags Don't Work on iPhone (And What Actually Does)
Your vCard NFC business card works on Android but not iPhone? Here's why iOS ignores vCard data - and the simple fix that works on every phone.
OpenPrintTag: How to Read & Write Smart 3D Printing Spools with Your Phone
OpenPrintTag is the open standard for smart filament spools. Learn how it works, what data it stores, and how to read and write OpenPrintTag NFC tags using just your phone.
How to Write NFC Tags with Your iPhone
Your iPhone can do more than read NFC tags - it can write them too. Here's a step-by-step guide to programming NFC tags with your iPhone, from choosing the right tags to writing URLs, Wi-Fi credentials, contact cards, and automations.
NFC Tags Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide
NFC tags are tiny, unpowered chips that can trigger actions on your phone with a single tap. Here's everything you need to know - what they are, how they work, which types to buy, and 15+ practical ways to use them.
EU Digital Product Passport: What You Need to Know in 2026
The EU Digital Product Passport is here - batteries are already covered, textiles and electronics are next. Here's what DPP means for businesses, consumers, and why NFC technology is at the center of it all.
Why can't my iPhone open my condo's RFID door? Understanding NFC vs RFID
The honest answer to one of the most common questions in our inbox: your iPhone's NFC can't talk to your condo's RFID card, and Apple's intentional about that.
Understanding the different types of NFC tags - and which work with iPhones
Type 1 through Type 5, who makes them, and why NTAG-series (Type 2) is the safest bet for iPhone projects.
NFC.cool is now on the Play Store
NFC.cool Tools is live on Google Play. NFC scanning, tag writing, and the bundled NFC.cool Business Card - now on Android, with the same feature set as the iOS app for the parts that share Android-compatible hardware.
Tapping into NFC on iPhone: an insider's look
How NFC actually works on iPhone - from Apple Pay's secure element to Core NFC tag reading. A practical look at the protocol, the iOS history, and why the short range is a feature, not a limitation.