To read an NFC card, hold your phone's NFC reader near it. Where the reader sits depends on the phone. When a card doesn't read, the cause is usually that the wrong part of the phone is held over it.
iPhone
- Where is the reader? At the top of the phone, near the camera. Hold the top edge over the middle of the card.
- Does it need switching on? No. iPhone XS and later read NFC cards by themselves while the screen is on; there is no setting.
- What happens? A notification appears at the top of the screen; tap it to open the page.
- Not reading? Make sure the screen is on. Reading may not work in Airplane Mode or while the camera is open.
Android
- Where is the reader? On most models, in the middle of the back, a little below the camera. On some models it is at the top.
- Does it need switching on? Yes, NFC has to be on. Tap the NFC icon in Quick Settings (swipe down from the top of the screen), or search for NFC in Settings.
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → NFC and contactless payments
- Other brands: Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC
- What happens? The page opens directly, or the phone asks which app to open it with.
- Not reading? Move the phone slowly over the card a few centimetres at a time; the reader's position varies by model. Thick cases or cases with metal can get in the way.
If the card doesn't read
- Is the phone's screen on?
- On Android, is NFC switched on?
- Are you holding the right part of the phone over the card? (iPhone: the top; Android: usually the middle of the back)
- Is the card on a metal surface? Metal can stop the chip from being read.
If all of that is fine and it still doesn't read, message us on Instagram and we'll check the card.
