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Most of us are accustomed to using smartphones like bank cards, but few people know what kind of technology underlies contactless payments. Trends present a detailed guide to NFC
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless data transmission technology. With it, you can exchange data between devices located at a distance of about 10 cm. NFC is a radio frequency data exchange at a frequency of 13,56 MHz, so it does not require the Internet to work. Unlike Bluetooth, NFC does not require manual pairing or device discovery to transfer data. The connection is automatically started when another NFC device enters the previously specified range.
NFC supports three modes of operation: read/write, peer-to-peer, and card emulation. At first, the devices act like smart cards, for example, when making a payment. In the second (Peer-to-peer) mode, two NFC-enabled devices communicate with each other to exchange information and files. For example, in peer-to-peer mode, users can share Bluetooth connection settings, Wi-Fi, or photos. In the third mode, devices read information in NFC tags or tags embedded in smart posters and displays, or write information to them. This mode allows you to read transport timetables, tourist labels and routes.
NFC devices consist of a reader (reader) and an antenna, or a tag and an antenna. The reader generates a radio frequency field that can interact with the tag or with another reader, it operates in active communication mode. This type of communication is used in peer-to-peer mode. The tag is an NFC device that operates in passive communication mode. This means that the labeled device uses the field generated by the initiating device. This type of communication is used in all modes of NFC operation.
What is NFC used for?
The technology is used not only for contactless payment and reading tags. NFC is also used in smart home devices, cars, and even as keys.
For payments
NFC chips are used in plastic cards for contactless payment, as well as in rings or bracelets with an embedded chip. Usually, the bank’s payment application is embedded in the chip, which interacts with the seller through the payment system during the transaction, as well as the client’s personal payment data. They are stored encrypted. The NFC module in the card provides contactless connection with the reader.
When emulating a card on a smartphone, the data is stored in the TSM (Trusted Service Manager), which integrates service providers and Secure Element chips. It is a hardware-software complex that provides secure boot and security management using wireless cellular technologies (over-the-air, OTA). TSM allows you to install and configure applications in the mobile phone’s security element and then maintain them.
In 2021, Mastercard and eight Russian banks launched key fobs for contactless payments.
For identification
NFC is used for access control or identity verification. The technology allows, in addition to the usual access control, also pay for services and accommodation, create passes, verify identity or grant other permissions. The simplest example of using NFC is intercoms, where a tag with a key is sewn into the key fob, and there is a tag reader in the device on the door.
Hotels also use NFC to control customer flows and access based on privileges. Guests of such places do not need a physical key, as they can enter the room or visit other areas with only a smartphone. Their credentials are generated in real time, and all transactions are processed directly on the smartphone to avoid leaks or theft of information.
For trade
Companies offer users to store their bonus and gift cards, as well as loyalty cards in “electronic wallet” applications, so as not to carry them with them. With Google Pay, loyalty cards are integrated directly into the payment app, allowing you to pay for purchases contactlessly using NFC. Some stores also allow you to link coupons within their own apps. At the same time, card data is stored in a secure element (Security Element or SE) of the smartphone, which protects it from erasure.
For transport
NFC-based contactless transport cards are used in transport, as well as in ski resorts in lift systems and funiculars. You can usually top up the card at a transport ticket kiosk or online. It can also be integrated with Apple Pay and Google Pay. In August 2021, Moscow began testing payments with the Troika virtual card in Samsung Pay.
For car protection
An app on an NFC-enabled device allows you to use your smartphone as a car key. It is enough to bring it to the driver’s door handle to lock and unlock the car doors. In the cabin, the smartphone is placed in a special place on the dashboard, which is also a wireless charging pad, which allows you to turn on the ignition.
In 2020, the Car Connectivity Consortium, which brings together car and mobile device manufacturers, released the Digital Key Release 2.0 specification. It includes support for vehicle lock and unlock, engine start, user authentication, digital key revocation from another user, digital key exchange, and key restriction. The latter is stored in the SE of the smartphone. NFC sensors in the car are installed in the driver’s door handle and on the front panel.
Apple introduced its NFC car key. Car Key can be linked to the Wallet app, it allows you to unlock and start your car using your iPhone or Apple Watch, and it can also be shared with other people.
For medicine
NFC can provide secure access to medical information. The technology is used to control access to computers, tablets and other devices.
Medical bracelets with NFC allow you to track the movements of patients. Staff can find out in real time where the patient is, when the nurse last visited him or what treatment his doctor prescribed. The bracelets can be connected to smartphones or tablets so that they transmit data to the attending physician. Smart NFC wristbands also help track patients with life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, asthma or allergies. In the event of an emergency, the bracelet will provide detailed information to emergency doctors. Similar devices are released by HealthID Profile.
Finally, NFC tags are added to the packaging or labeling of a drug to verify its authenticity, view detailed dosage information, or read about side effects. The tag can also contain a web link to the manufacturer’s website.
For games
In the gaming industry, the technology is used in the form of labels on which data is recorded, which is imported into the game application in the form of a hero or a playing field. Activision released the game Skylanders: Spyros Adventure, where the characters were associated with real physical figurines that are equipped with an NFC tag. The figurine must be bought and placed on a special portal for the hero to appear in the game. Nintendo also implemented this strategy in the Amiibo game.
For Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT systems use devices and sensors with different interfaces and connection mechanisms. Integrating an NFC interface into an IoT gateway or microcomputer that acts as an aggregator of all devices allows you to seamlessly connect them. At the same time, an NFC-enabled smartphone, after registering in the gateway, can be used to send commands to devices and change their settings. Moreover, the technology allows you to control even devices without an interface – light bulbs, security sensors or sockets.
NFC can also act as tags. They operate without power and are small enough to fit inside a poster, ticket, business card, sticker, bracelet, keychain, pen, tag, and more.
The microchip in the tag can store small pieces of data that can be read by an NFC-enabled device. An NFC tag can store a URL, contact information, or even commands and settings that the device will perform upon contact. To read or write data to NFC tags, you need a special application such as Trigger.
NFC on the phone and not only
NFC World maintains a list of smartphones with technology support. According to him, every iPhone since the iPhone 6 supports it. The latest iPhone 12 also supports NFC tags through the Launch Center Pro app.
NFC has also been added to the iPad lineup, starting with the iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, and third-generation iPad Mini.
Every device running Android 4.0 or later is available with NFC support. Samsung, for example, separately publishes a list of its NFC-enabled smartphones and technology specifications.
The NFC function is also built into smart bracelets, for example, the Xiaomi Mi Band series. A smartwatch with NFC works just like a smartphone with the same chip. Usually their functionality is limited and is used only to pay for purchases and services.
In addition, there are NFC rings for paying for purchases.
Rings can be used to pay for public transport, as well as an ID card. To use the ring, you need to install an application from its developer on your smartphone.
How to find out if your phone has NFC
In the case of Android smartphones, you need to go to the settings and enter “NFC” in the “Search” line, and then connect the option. In quick settings, the N-shaped icon is usually located next to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons. In addition, some companies place NFC symbols on the smartphone battery. Finally, you can install one of the free NFC Enabled apps from the Google Play app store. It scans the device, and if the chip is integrated into the smartphone, the message “NFC is: supported” appears on the screen. If the chip is not provided, the program displays the message “NFC is: unsupported”.
On iOS devices, you do not need to configure anything – just bring the phone to another device. However, you’ll need to set up billing for various services with your Apple ID where you’re signed in to iCloud. iPhone 6 and 7 models support NFC payments with up to eight bank cards, while newer models can make payments with up to 12 accounts activated on one device.
How to use NFC on Android
The most popular NFC feature is still contactless payments. On Android smartphones, you can use Google Pay or Samsung Pay to pay for goods and services.
Google Pay
Google Pay, formerly known as Android Pay, allows you to make purchases and transfer money. You can also use loyalty cards, gift cards and travel cards in the application. You will need a Google account to use it.
First you need to set up Google Pay. After downloading it from Google Play, you need to select your country of residence, Google account and enter your phone number. Then you need to enter the code from the message for authentication. Adding a debit or credit card is done in the Insights tab in the lower right corner of the screen.
To add a loyalty card, gift card or transit card, you need to click on the credit card icon in the upper right corner of the app’s main screen.
You can link a bank account to Google Pay to replenish your balance. To do this, go to the Insights tab, select “Google Pay balance” and “add money”, then enter the desired amount and click on “add bank account”.
To pay for purchases, you need to make sure that NFC is turned on, and then bring the back of the device to the payment terminal for a few seconds. When the payment is completed, a blue checkmark will appear on the screen.
Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay, unlike Apple Pay and Google Pay, in addition to NFC technology, uses the MST or secure magnetic transfer function and works almost everywhere – even on older terminals that have not been updated to work with contactless payments. However, in 2021, support for this feature began to be phased out, starting with the Galaxy S21 phones. Samsung Pay is available in 29 countries, including our country. It is also available on the Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, Gear, and Gear Sport smartwatch lines.
To set up the service, you need to launch the app, sign in to your Samsung account, and register a PIN or scan your fingerprint. You can add credit and debit cards of Mastercard, Visa and MIR payment systems to Samsung Pay, as well as make money transfers. In addition, up to 100 loyalty cards can be uploaded to the service.
When paying, you need to select a card on the main screen of the application, and then put your finger on the fingerprint scanner or enter a PIN code. After that, you can attach the back of the phone to the payment terminal. A pop-up notification of the transaction will appear at the top of the screen.
How to use NFC on iPhone
The NFC function in the iPhone, as already mentioned, is turned on and off by those applications that require it. To link a card to Apple Pay, you need to go to the Wallet app, click on the “+” and follow the instructions. From 2021, users can link, in addition to Visa and Mastercard, also Mir cards.
To pay, you need to put your finger on Touch ID or pass identification in Face ID and bring the top of the iPhone to the contactless reader. The smartphone itself activates NFC.
While the original iPhone 6s with NFC only allowed Apple Pay payments, the iPhone 7 and newer models use technology to read NFC tags using third-party apps. Also, starting with iOS 13 and the release of the iPhone XS and XR, they can also encode blank tags using third party apps like GoToTags. And finally, from the iPhone XS to the iPhone 12, smartphones are capable of reading tags in the background. Thus, the user no longer needs to install third-party applications: just touch the iPhone to the NFC tag, and it automatically reads it. The system automatically searches for nearby tags each time the screen is turned on. Once the label is found and matched, it displays a notification that the user can submit data to the application for processing. However, background reading is disabled when using Wallet or Apple Pay, cameras, the device is in Airplane mode, or is locked after a restart.
To enable other NFC features on iPhone, you need to launch the Commands app, open the Automations tab, tap the + in the top right corner, find NFC, and select NFC Tag. Then you need to turn on the Bluetooth headphones or other wireless device, connect them to the iPhone, bring the device with the label to the back of the smartphone and wait a couple of seconds. After connecting, you need to open the “Scripts” menu, select “Set playback location” and specify your iPhone; then select the connected device from the list and uncheck the box “Ask when performing”. The procedure will have to be repeated with each device.
How secure is NFC technology?
In the early 2000s, NFC modules were considered invulnerable to hackers. However, programmers later described a number of theoretical attacks that could be used to steal information and infect a smartphone with a virus. In 2012, the first critical NFC vulnerability was identified. At that time, MWR Labs demonstrated the process of transmitting a virus, infecting a device, and taking full control of a smartphone in just five minutes. To do this, it was enough to bring the device to a label containing malicious code.
To date, NFC signals are encrypted using cryptographic algorithms, and in parallel, new encryption protocols are being developed. In addition, in mobile applications of banks, payments usually need to be additionally confirmed with a PIN code, a fingerprint or a picture of the iris.
However, experts recommend following the rules:
- Make contactless payments in verified places: gas stations, supermarkets, cafes and shopping centers.
- Do not bring your smartphone near NFC tags located in public places, including advertisements.
- When using an NFC-enabled self-service terminal, check for stickers or other foreign objects.
- Do not share your smartphone with other people or place it near other devices in public places.
- Scan your smartphone for viruses and update payment applications.
- Turn off the NFC feature when not needed.