A sensor in the phone for payment. What is an NFC module in a phone and how contactless payment works

Near Field Communication or simply NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices. More and more often found on smartphones, however, for some reason, mostly more expensive price segment... At the same time, it is surprising that some smartphones of the "upper echelon" do without NFC at all, although this particular wireless technology is one of the most popular.

Some users do not know at all if there is NFC technology on their smartphone. How to find out? You will find out now.

Does your smartphone support NFC?

The first method is the simplest: swipe from the top of the window to the bottom to bring up the quick access bar. Like this:

Look for the NFC item. Found it? Congratulations, your smartphone supports this technology.

If there is no such item, all is not lost. Open the settings.

Tap on the "More" line of the "Wireless networks" section.

See the NFC line with the toggle? Congratulations, the technology is supported by your smartphone.

If all else fails, you can try using a third-party application. In the Play Market, in the search, write nfc check.

Choose an application, let it be NFC Check by Tapkey. Install.

After installation, run and immediately see the result: in our example, the NFC module is installed, but not activated at the current time.

Is it worth believing the specs? It is possible, but there are nuances: the same smartphone model can either be equipped with an NFC module or not. Be careful.

Today, technologies allow people to pay not only with cash and credit cards, but also with a smartphone.

Contactless payments and mobile payment systems are the future, they are becoming popular every day. Google for its operating system created Android Pay (now), Samsung and Apple are systems of the same name with the Pay prefix. They work on the same principle - it is enough to bring the switched on unlocked smartphone to the contactless terminal.

Today we will tell you in detail how to use NFC, how to set up this function, and what is needed for this.

Smartphone with NFC

First and foremost, the device must be equipped. It is he who is responsible for contactless operations. If the gadget does not have NFC, unfortunately,. The operating system version must be Android 4.4 or higher.

How to find out if there is NFC:

• Our.
• Official websites of manufacturers with a list of technical specifications.
• Settings - More / Advanced / Additional functions (depends on android version and branded shell). This section should have NFC and Android Beam features that need to be activated.

Supported card

This is the second most important condition. If the card does not support contactless payments or the bank for some reason gives an error when setting up the card, it will not work to bind it to the smartphone and Android Pay, an error will appear. In this case, you can either contact the bank with a request to reissue the card, or order a new one.

Almost all modern cards, including Sberbank (except Maestro), Alfa, Tinkov and others, support contactless payments. If you see such designations, then in most cases everything is fine.

Download the application depending on the brand of the smartphone. As you can see, all devices except Samsung and Apple need a program (now called Google Pay). It is on her example that we will show how contactless payment via NFC works.

After installing the application, you need to get a bank card in it: you can scan it through the gadget's camera or enter the number manually. You also need to fill in the expiration date, the owner's name and the CSV code (three digits on the back) with your hands. Then the entered data must be confirmed - an SMS message with a code will be sent to the phone number to which the card is linked.

When this operation is completed, the bank card will appear in the Android Pay interface. At this stage, the application will definitely require you to configure a screen lock - these are Google's policies. You need to set a PIN, pattern key or password. In the future, it will be possible with a fingerprint scanner, the main thing is that the device is unlocked.

NFC technology enables high-frequency wireless communication over short distances. NFC modules are equipped with a large number modern devices - first of all, the technology is focused on tablets and smartphones. In this article we will look at what NFC is in a smartphone, how NFC technology works, what advantages it has and what is the range of its applications.

The abbreviation NFC stands for Near Fild Communication - near contactless communication. The technology is based on the principle of exchanging radio signals between two devices - this technology is similar to the well-known Bluetooth. However, there is one important difference - unlike Bluetooth, which is focused on transmitting data at a distance of up to hundreds of meters, NFC is designed to exchange data at a distance of about 10 cm and closer.

The technology was announced in 2004 as an extension to contactless cards. After that, the technology has become quite popular and can now be used in many areas.

How it works?

Let's try to figure out how NFC works in a smartphone. Two devices establish communication with each other when they touch - so, to pair two smartphones, you just need to attach them to each other.

If you delve into the technical details of the technology, we can say the following.

NFC communication is based on magnetic field induction - loop antennas are located within the near field and form a transformer. For NFC operation, frequencies are allocated in the 13.56 MHz range. The supported data transfer rate can be up to 400kb / s.

NFC operating modes

NFS in a smartphone can work in two modes:

• Active mode - both devices alternately transmit information, while both devices must have a power source.
• Passive mode - the initiator of the data transmission session, by modulating its field, provides the carrier field and the response of the second device - it uses the field power of the first device for data transmission.

Passive mode allows you to create devices that do not need their own battery - for example, a small tag the size of a penny coin or even smaller can effectively interact with another device over short distances - just bring them closer together and the data transfer process will start on its own.

Benefits of NFC technology

The advantages of NFC include intuitiveness (one touch is enough to initiate data transfer), versatility (NFC has the widest range of uses), the openness of the technology and its compliance with industry standards, as well as increased security due to low transmitter power and low range.

Using NFC, you can configure other wireless technology - so, for pairing two devices via NFC, about 100ms is enough, while connecting them to each other via Wifi or Bluetooth takes significantly longer, and it can be done via NFC.

NFC facilitates the exchange of information - transferring a file from one smartphone to another is possible simply by touching it with your smartphone. In this case, the matter is not limited - you can transfer a payment to your interlocutor, add it to your "friends" or start a session of a joint multiplayer game.

NFC prospects

NFC as a communication technology has a wide range of applications, which can be constantly expanded. So, using NFC, you can implement such contactless technologies as access control to the premises, payments using a mobile phone - including in public transport and shops, various solutions in the field consumer electronics, health care, information exchange programs and so on.

Great opportunities are opening up in the field of e-commerce - an NFC device can act as a wallet, travel pass, boarding pass, discount coupon, and so on. NFC tags in stores allow you to instantly get additional information about a product and other stores with such an item. An NFC tag can be installed in a museum, gallery or exhibition hall - when you read the tag, you will receive information about the object.

With technologyNFC, you can not only transfer data from one cell to another, but also pay for purchases (for example, buying groceries at the supermarket).

Decryption is simple - NearFieldCommunication, which, when literally translated into Russian, means near-field communication or communication in the nearest space.

This technology was originally used for fast contactless payments. Now NFC replaces a plastic bank card and Bluetooth and combines them in one system, which is quite a practical invention to use. Want to make it easier to pay for purchases or transfer files? Let's figure out how to find out if there is NFC in a phone, tablet or laptop.

The history of the emergence of technology in the phone

It is considered to be a relatively young development. Its appearance dates back to 2004: it was during this period that three renowned companies Nokia, Philipps and Sony organized the "NFC Forum", and three years later they were integrating the first NFC tags into a Nokia phone.

NFC compatible smartphone models

It should be noted that not all phones support this data transfer technology. It is known that NFC support is available in such devices as:

• Apple iPhone (starting from 6S and 6S Plus);
• novelties of the Galaxy line from Samsung and smartphones from other manufacturers on android platform (since Android0).

Checking the device for NFC

Do you want to try the technology in practice, but do not know if there is such an opportunity on your device? Let's check.

To do this, carefully open the back cover of the smartphone or tablet, in a situation where it can move away without damage, and inspect the battery of the gadget.

With the presence of NFC development, you will see this abbreviation right there. If the phone / tablet cover is not removable, then the corresponding icon or abbreviation will be located on the outside.

If for some reason you do not want or cannot remove the cover, you can make sure that this communication method is available in the device settings.

Find the "Wireless networks" tab, then "More ..." and if NFC is available on the device, then there will definitely be a corresponding item.

How it looks, look at the photo above or in video instructions on howas check correctlyNFC in the phone:

NFC activation

If you find it on your device, you must also activate access to the technologyNFC. This can be done as follows:

1. go to the "Settings" section and then "Wireless networks", "More ...", where earlier you could verify the presence of NFC;
2. confirm by clicking on the item "Allow data exchange when combining\u003e device name\u003e with another";
3. android Beam is immediately activated on an Android smartphone. If this does not happen, click on it and select "Yes" so as not to disrupt the system;

NFC can be activated in the quick menu, in the same place where Wi-fi is turned on. This is done by touching the NFC tag.

See the video for more details:

What if my device doesn't support NFC?

Don't worry if you haven't found the built-in feature, there is a way to connect NFC to your device. But this can be done only if the panel cover on the back and the SIM card slot on your smartphone / tablet are removable . Installing NFC in this case is not difficult.

Installing the NFC module

The optimal solution is to install a special module - an external communication device. It is compatible with almost all smartphones, easy to use and gives you access to NFC without buying a new televon.

Types of modules and methods of their implementation

Main types: chips, SIM cards, external devices, stickers. The latter of them are of two types: passive - which do not allow data exchange, and active - use Bluetooth and Wi-fi communication channels for transmission, which significantly increases power consumption.

Such stickers are attached to the outer shell of the phone, which is also not very practical.

The most popular are the following:

• NFC SIM card. Now available for purchase from most mobile operators... You can find out about the availability of such a SIM in the communication salon. You just need to install the ready-made card in your phone or tablet. This type of module is the most affordable and easiest to install.
• NFC antenna. The second method, for which you need to purchase an NFC antenna. This can be done in the communication salon. Next, the antenna is connected to the SIM card and inserted into the device.

As you have already seen, install the module simple and safe enough : you don't need to download additional applications or programs. However, these services do not completely replace android app Pay, but just a few of its many features.

How to use an NFC tag

An NFC tag is a miniature chip-shaped device that can be attached almost anywhere: from a phone to insertion under the skin!

We will not use such radical methods, but it is worth noting that contacts, settings, URL and other data and commands can be placed in the chip. All gadgets can support the tag.

Data exchange via NFC

The technology can also be used to transfer files.

To transfer data, you need to do the following steps:

1. make sure that you have passed the activation of NFC and Android Beаm;
2. unlock the device, exit "sleep mode";
3. check the discovery of devices with each other;
4. connect;
5. transfer data between devices;
6. at the end, a specific beep will sound.

However, not all file types can be transferred this way. For example, attachments cannot be submitted.

NFC advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages are:

• low price;
• small dimensions of the device;
• high transfer rate;
• support on almost all mobile devices.

It is worth highlighting the cons:

• relatively small radius of action;
• not all devices are equipped with an NFC chip.

So, thanks to these notes, you learned the quick and simple ways checking your device for the possibility of transmitting information and interacting with other technical means using Near Field Communication. By following the simple instructions in this article, you can also find out on your own whether your smartphone has this technology, you will be able to integrate NFC into your phone and transfer required files at high speed.

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that is quite popular in the modern world, it may seem strange, but such ordinary things as an intercom key or a subway card are based on it. Those. it is the ability of objects to transmit a small amount of data over a very short distance. Let's see how we can use this ability in our Android gadgets, which is called Android Beam.

Main features of NFC application

1. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the direct transfer of data between phones. So, using NFC, you can establish a connection between devices by touching the devices and transfer almost any multimedia file or, for example, a link to a page, with one touch. In this case, data is transmitted via bluetooth using NFC, only communication between devices is established.
2. Fast pairing with Bluetooth accessories that also support NFC. One such device, for example, is the Nokia Play 360 portable speaker.
3. You can also use NFC to turn your gadget into a virtual wallet. To do this, you will need to install special application (Google Wallet), set up and then pay with a touch in any terminal with NFC support.
4. Another very interesting application of NFC is tags. Small cards can be programmed through applications (such as Trigger) and set up profiles, launch applications, etc. For example, a tag in the car will activate the navigator and communication with a Bluetooth keyboard, and a tag on the bedside table will switch the phone to silent mode and set an alarm. Agree very convenient 🙂

How to enable NFC

• Go to settings
• Wireless networks -\u003e More
• Now, if the device supports NFC, there will be a corresponding setting, put a check mark to activate.

How to transfer a file using NFC

• We activate NFC on both devices
• We check that both devices are active and the screen is not locked
• Select the file you want to transfer
• Touching the back covers
• After the beep on the transmitting device, all that remains is to tap on the screen

For convenience, I shot a short video on how to transfer files via NFC:

Don't forget to like it! 🙂