How to Program or Reprogram an NFC Tag
In about 45 seconds using a free smartphone app and a couple of steps
NOTE: All Tap Tags come with easy-to use software by default, this software allows you to login and remotely redirect your Tap Tag to any website after setting up an account. By programming you will override this software, thus disconnecting us from providing tech support.
Step by Step Directions
Here is step-by-step guide on how to program your NFC tag or NFC business card. First off, the NFC taghas to be programmable and have a suitable memory limit. Tap Tag holds 144 Bytes of information and the info is stored using no power whatsoever, and can be constantly overwritten if the user wishes to change its contents.
First, what do you want to add to your NFC Tag?
It is important to note that only a website URL will work natively with smartphones, you cannot program raw contact info onto a chip as it will not work with all phones, and will often give you can error when trying to write.
Here are some recommendations for what to program:
3rd Party landing pages
We highly recommend one of two super powerful landing page platforms that allow more flexibility when customizing your page. We are partnered with both to give you the best experience possible. Two sample pages are below to show you how to create your free account.
A Downloadable Contact Card (web-based)
As of October 2022, your Tap Tag comes pre-installed with our state of the art digital business card profile. This profile allows for a contact to be downloaded right into your clients phone, in addition to a web-based profile, and a dashboard to manage your info any time.
An Individual Link / social network
You can add just your instagram, or just your Facebook, or Just your LinkedIn, Company websites, or any website link that exists. Good news is Tap Tag is rewritable so you can reprogram a new link infinite times using the steps below
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How to Program NFC in 7 Steps
Here's how to program Tap Tag in 7 easy steps, taking about 45 seconds total.NFC Tools is a free app on the Apple and Android App store available to all.
Our first stepis to download free"NFC Tools"and open it.Easy peasy, next step.
After opening the app you will be greeted with this home page. Click "Write" to move on to the next step.
Here, you will see a page with three options. Click the first option "Add A Record" to move on to step four.
This step greets you with many options to code into your Tap Tag. The recommendedoption is"Custom URL/URI" as it is the only option that will work with ALL smartphones. Move on to next step.
NOTE** The Other options do not work on all phones, ONLY use "Custom URL" to ensure your Tap Tag will work everywhere. Do not use the Contact Option**
If you would like to make a contact card that works, follow These Steps first.
After clicking "Custom URL/URI" the app will bring you to this page. Just copy/paste your web link WITH the https://. Click "OK" in top right corner when you are done. Be careful not to accidentally add a space before or after the link when copy/pasting as it will cause an error.
Side Note: On this page you can add any link, which is what the entire internet runs on. Here's some examples...
Anywebsite, Instagram, Link Tree, SoundCloud, Youtube video/channel, Venmo, PayPal, Photo/album link, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Pinterest, restaurant menu, the list goes on!
After clicking "OK" you will be brought back to this page, this time your Custom URL will be added. You will also notice the app tells you the amount of space your link takes up, in this case 16 Bytes. It must be under 256bytes.
**NOTE: Smartphones only understand one single link, adding multiple items here will not work. To get the most out of your NFC Tag, you can make a free personal landing page containing infinite links or a contact card.
Click "Write" to be prompted with an NFC "Ready to Scan" message
Now your smartphone is looking for an NFC tag to encode. For iPhone, hold the top-center of your phone within 1 inch of Tap Tag while this message is up (as seen in picture).
For android, place backside-middle of phone onto Tap Tag. Your smartphone will make a sound and/or vibrate when your NFC tag is officially encoded, which takes less than one second. If you get a red exclamation, simply try again.
This check mark symbolizes that your NFC chip is programmed! That's it! You did it! You can test Tap Tagby holding your smartphone near it. Your phone should automatically receive the information you encoded via a drop down notification. You do not need an app to read Tap Tag, any compatiblephone will readthe tag within 3 inches as long as the screen is on. Smartphones often take 1-2 seconds to scan. Some android phones may needto have "NFC" turned on in settings.
If you choose to re-program another link into your tag simply repeat these steps to overwrite the previous link.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions if you encounter any issues along the way.
Where phones scan NFC from
For iPhones: It is best to stick your tag to the middle or bottom on the back of your phone. The NFC reader is located at the center-top-rear of your iPhone so it is ideal to keep your NFC tag away from there when sticking.
For Android: Most androids have the NFC reader in the middle-back of phone. Stick your NFC tag to either the top or bottom. Some android phones vary so it is best to test this out before you peel off the adhesive of tag.
Troubleshooting
Here are common issues that may occurin order of process. Programming > Testingwith phone > Where phone is directed to
Programming
Nothing happens when I hit "Write" on the last step
- If the "approach NFC chip" dialogue does not appear at all when hitting "Write" simply close out the app, then close out of theapp completely in the multitasker and try again. This is a known error withinNFC Tools.
I receive a red exclamation point when I approach the chip
- Simply try tapping "Write" again. If NFC Toolssevered connection with the chip before successfully programming you will get this error. Try 3 times before you try other steps.
- Make sure the number of "bytes' is under 256
- Make sure you are only programming one item onto the NFC chip (one link). Each item will appear, if there are multiple hit "Edit" in top right and delete until there is only one.
- Make sure you have used the "Custom URL/URI" Option, and not the other options.
Close out of app completely and try again
The app does not pick up the chip on the "Approach NFC Tag" step, It just remains on the message and I do not receive a checkmark or exclamation.
- Make sure you are tapping with the appropriate area of your phone. iPhones tap from the center top. Android's typically tap from the center backside of phone.
- Try removing your case. If there is metal in your case it may interfere with connection to the chip
- Test the chip - On the first page of NFC Tools there is a "Read" Option. Click that and tap the chip, if it reads then the issue lies within the app or phone. Simply restart your phone and try again. This is a known fix to this issue. If the chip does not read using this option, contact us
- Make sure your smartphone is Compatiblewith NFC reading/writing
Testing with phone (After a successful checkmark when programming)
My phone does not pick up the NFC chip on its own
- Make sure you are tapping the appropriate location on the smartphone. iPhones scans from the center top, androids typically scan from the center back of phone.
- iPhones typically work best of the Lock Screen before opening to the Home Screen. Position the top center of iPhone on the chip and wake the screen.
- Androids have the option to turn OFF nfc in settings. Please make sure NFC is ON. iPhones do not have this setting, NFC is always on.
- Try removing your case. If your case has metal in it it may interfere with scanning.
- Ensure the chip is actually programmed with info. Hit "Read" on the first page of NFC Tools, it will scan to a new page, at the bottom under "Record" you will see what is programmed on the chip. If there is no "record" box then the chip is blank. Follow the steps on this page to program the chip.
- iPhone X, 8, 7, and 6 have one additional step to read NFC chips. Open control center (pull down from top right). In the icons on the bottom there is sideways wifi-symbol. Click that to read NFC
- Make sure you have a Compatible smartphone that can read NFC
- It may take up to 1 second to scan. Be sure to keep the chip in appropriate spot for 1 full second.
- Known Issue: If you accidentally added a space before or after your link when pasting into the text box the chip will successfully program, but will not scan when testing on your phone. It is best to reprogram following the same steps and double check there are no spaces in your link
- Make sure the link you programmed has https:// or http:// included. It is bestto go to the actual website and copy the link straight from the browser.
My chip is programmed, and scans, but I don't like where it directs to
- You may reprogram the chip to a new website following the same steps on this page. Re doing the process overwrites the previous contents.
- If the chip still directs to the Tap Tag website, you may have not programmed successfully. Please follow the programming steps again and ensure you get a checkmark at the end of the process.
Not a text-kinda person? We got you covered with video
Here is a video we made of the process if you prefer to see some Tap Tag uses and how to program an NFC chip live. We talk you through each step while showing you the power of Tap Tag. Enjoy!
Here is another video on how to make a downloadable Contact Card
This video explains how to scan an NFC tag and have it pull up the contact card native to the phone. You can also add this feature to your existing digital business card as an option next to all of your other links. Either way, learning how to make a vcard or VCF file is always useful information.
You can add just your instagram, or just your Facebook, or Just your LinkedIn, Company websites, or any website link that exists. Good news is Tap Tag is rewritable so you can reprogram a new link infinite times using the steps below.
