On September 9, Apple announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus smartphones, one of the features of which was the NFC chip and the Apple Pay technology based on it. In the presentation, the main emphasis was placed on the possibility of contactless payment for purchases using a smartphone, but in fact, the possibilities of NFC do not end there and have long been successfully used in Android smartphones to perform many different tasks, from paying for a trip to the subway to automation smartphone.
Instead of an introduction
NFC stands for Near Field Communication or "Near Contactless Communication" if in Russian. At its core, this is a small chip that can be embedded in a smartphone in order to transfer data over very short distances at a very meager speed. NFC is very close to the RFID technology that has long been used to tag products in supermarkets, but is based on its more recent ISO/IEC 14443 standard (smart cards) and is designed to be used in portable electronics (read: smartphones) and perform secure transactions (read: payment for purchases).
As with the ISO/IEC 14443 standard, the NFC range is only 5-10 cm, but the difference is that the NFC chip is able to perform the function of a tag and a reader at the same time. In other words, an NFC-equipped smartphone can be either a smart card (a metro card, for example), which is enough to bring it to the reader to pay, or the reader itself, which can be used, for example, to transfer funds between smartphone cards and turn real cards with ISO/IEC 14443 support to virtual.
But this is only "one of" and the most obvious use of NFC. Due to the fact that the NFC chip is capable of transmitting data in both directions and does not require device authentication, it can be used as a simple and more convenient replacement for Bluetooth. With the help of NFC, for example, you can share links, passwords, contact and other data between smartphones by simply bringing them to each other.
Introduced in Android 4.0, Beam technology further pushes the limits of NFC, allowing you to quickly transfer entire files and folders between devices, which is achieved by pre-authenticating Bluetooth devices via NFC and then establishing a Bluetooth connection and sending files. As in the previous case, all that is required for the transfer is simply to bring the phones to each other. In Samsung firmware, this function is called S-Beam and allows you to use not only blue tooth, but also Wi-Fi as a “transport channel” (one of the smartphones turns into an access point).
Another possibility is the use of passive NFC tags. These tags, in the form of small stickers, can be purchased for half a dollar apiece and reprogrammed using a smartphone. Each of them can hold 137 bytes of information (in the case of the most common and cheapest Mifire Ultralight C tag), which, again, can be read simply by bringing a smartphone. You can write the password from your home Wi-Fi into the tag and stick it on the router. Or a code word that the smartphone will respond to. You can organize the automatic launch of the navigator when you install a smartphone in the holder in the car or turn on silent and energy-saving modes when the phone is on the bedside table. A small shopping list of 137 bytes will also fit perfectly.
In this article, we will talk about all the possible applications of NFC in practice, but since in our country payment for purchases with its help has been implemented almost nowhere, we will mainly talk about tag-based automation.
Smartphone support
The first phone with integrated NFC support was the Nokia 6131, released back in 2006. Then the built-in NFC chip was just a toy to demonstrate the capabilities of the technology created two years ago. The smartphone was equipped with software for reading NFC tags, but due to their high cost at the time and the almost zero popularity of the technology, this feature of the smartphone did not claim any serious application.
After some lull, NFC was popularized by Google, which released the Samsung Nexus S smartphone in 2010 and the Google Wallet application, which allowed you to pay with virtual credit cards using NFC. The following year, Google became a leading member of the NFC Forum and introduced Android 4.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone based on it, which now boasted the same Beam feature. Later came the Nexus 4, and finally other manufacturers started to catch up.
Today, almost all manufactured smartphones are equipped with NFC. The corresponding module is even in Mediatek's ultra-budget chips, so most of the new Chinese smartphones worth 5,000 rubles are also equipped with it. In any case, the presence of an NFC chip is easy to check by the presence of the “Wireless networks -> NFC” item in the settings.
Playing with tags
Where to get tags? Like I said, the easiest option is to just order them from China (dx.com, tinydeal.com, aliexpress.com). The cheapest tags in the face of Mifire Ultralight C with 137 bytes of memory will cost about five dollars for ten pieces. You can also get branded tags from Sony (SmartTags), but apart from the appearance and price, which will be three to five times higher, they are no different. Another option is Samsung's TecTile tags, with an even higher price tag, but with more memory (716 bytes). But here you need to be careful, the first version of the tags is only compatible with the NXP NFC controller, so they will not work with most smartphones.
As a tag, it is quite possible to use tokens and subway cards for multiple trips. Often, part of the memory in them remains free for writing, so any information can be placed there. But even if it's not, the tag can still be used as an action trigger by simply setting the smartphone's response to the tag's unique ID.
Without additional software, mobile operating systems have only limited support for "communicating" with tags. The same Android does not offer any means to work with them at all. All you can do is just bring the tag to your smartphone so that the latter can read it. Depending on the type of data recorded in the tag, a smartphone can display this data on the screen (type "text" or not supported), open a web page (URI type), launch an application (special android.com:pkg type, supported only in Android) , open the dialer with the specified number (URI type "tel://"), and perform some other actions.
There are no tools for changing the tags themselves or the behavior of the smartphone in response to their detection in Android, so we will have to acquire additional software. The three applications we will be using are:
- NFC TagInfo - a tag reader that allows you to get the most complete information about the tag and the data written to it;
- NFC TagWriter - a proprietary application from the leading tag manufacturer NXP Semiconductors;
- Trigger - allows you to independently define a reaction to a tag with the ability to transfer control to Tasker.
NFC TagInfo
To begin with, let's figure out what kind of tags we got. The Chinese usually do not report any details on this matter, and I generally keep quiet about metro maps. We launch NFC TagInfo and bring the smartphone to the tag. Next, tap on the Tag Information item and look (screenshot "Reading the NFC tag"), what we have:
- UID - unique tag identifier;
- RF Technology is the standard supported by the tag. In this case, this is ISO / IEC 14443 Type A, that is, a regular RFID tag with support for the first version of the data exchange protocol (Type A);
- Tag Type - the type (or, better, "model") of the tag. In this case, NTAG203 is Mifare Ultralight C, the cheapest tag at the moment. The letter C means data encryption support. There is also Topaz 512, which holds 450 bytes of information, and Mifare Classic 1K (716 bytes), used in TecTile tags and often in metro maps;
- Manufacturer - the manufacturer of the tag. NXP Semiconductors - 90% of all NFC tags are made by them (Mifare family).
Now we go back and go to the NDEF information menu. NDEF is one of the NFC standards that describes the format for storing information in tag memory and transmitting it to the reader. A tag can contain several NDEF messages, each with its own identifier and type, which the smartphone can use to determine how to interpret the data it contains. The type is specified in the format URI, MIME or domain:service if it is a type specific to the reader (for example, the same android.com:pkg).
In the NDEF information menu, we are primarily interested in the lines Maximum message size (useful tag size), Is tag writable (write support) and Can tag be write-protected (write protection support). The last option allows you to block the writing of the tag for all devices except ours. In addition, a tag can be locked forever, so that it can never be written to again. In this case, no will be specified in the penultimate option.
What's inside the tag?
From a technical point of view, an NFC tag is a microcomputer like those found inside SIM cards and bank cards. It has its own processor, RAM and permanent memory, but there is no traditional power source. It receives electric current through electromagnetic induction, which occurs between the antennas of the reader and the tag, just as it happens in wireless chargers and passive radios. Due to the ultra-low level of energy consumption, the power of such a "transformer" is quite enough for the normal functioning of the microcomputer.
The antenna occupies about 99% of the area of the label and transmits data at a frequency of 13.56 MHz at a rate of 106, 212, or 424 kbps. The NFC standards define several data transfer protocols, including several implementations of the data exchange protocol (they are denoted by the letters A, B, and so on), which can be supplemented by the manufacturer of the tag itself. For example, Mifare family tags implement a number of extensions over the standard protocol, which can catch incompatibilities between applications and the tag (but this is rare).
Data security is ensured in several ways:
- Short range. Ten centimeters is a very private area.
- Anti-cloning with a unique serial number.
- Possibility of overwrite protection and password protection of data.
- Optional data encryption in memory and in transit.
The leading manufacturer of NFC tags is NXP Semiconductors. They produce tags of the Mifare family, which have become so popular that not only other tag manufacturers, but also manufacturers of NFC chips for smartphones (at the level of tag emulation) provide compatibility with them. The family includes several different models, ranging from the simplest Mifare Ultralight C to Mifare DESFire EV1, which have a built-in file system with cryptographic support and flexible access rights.
Go to the NDEF message menu. If the tag contains any data, all of it will be displayed here broken down into posts. The remaining NFC TagInfo options allow you to view information about the tag's memory: actual size, dump in HEX and ASCII formats, access rights to memory pages, and so on. I recommend returning to these options after writing to the data tag.
Writing data
We will use NFC TagWriter to write data. Using the application is quite simple. We start, tap on the Create, write and store item, select New, then select the type of data to be written. The most useful types are contact, plain text, phone number, Bluetooth connection data, URI, and application. There is even a web browser bookmark and an email message in the list, but what they are for is not entirely clear.
Next, fill in the required fields (for example, the website address in the case of a URI), click Next and get to the options screen (screenshot "NFC TagWriter: message options"). Here you can specify the application that will be launched after reading the label (Add launch application) and set protection to be overwritten by a third-party device (Apply Soft Protection). The application will also take care of informing us about the tag models that can accommodate this data (in this case, everything is OK, NTAG203 is on the list).
Press Next again and bring the smartphone to the tag. Voila, our data is in it. Now they can be read by any smartphone with NFC support. But what does it ultimately give?
Use cases
In fact, there are a lot of scenarios for using tags. For example, I use tags to store passwords and home automation, someone to automatically unlock a smartphone and automatically launch a navigator in a car. Tags can be glued on a table, on a laptop, on a key chain, inside a book, on a business card, or sewn under clothes. Therefore, the range of their application is huge, and in the end everything depends only on your imagination.
home automation
The simplest and most obvious way to use tags is to simply stick them around the house in order to have some kind of automation system. There are many different options here. Here are the most interesting and useful ones.
- Home Wi-Fi password. We glue the tag on the router and write the password into it using the InstaWifi application. It will be useful not only for those who often receive guests, but also for those who like to experiment with firmware.
- Start auto-sync or PC communication application. The tag can be glued to a laptop or system unit and registered in it to launch an application for data synchronization (AirDroid, WiFi ADB, and others).
- Enable hotspot. Again, we glue the tag on the laptop, then install the Trigger application. We add a new task in it, select NFC as a trigger, skip the selection of restrictions, select “Wireless and local networks -> Wifi zone” as an action, skip the next screen (adding a switch) and bring it to the NFC tag on the last screen.
- Activate night flight mode. Glue the label somewhere closer to the bed. We start Trigger, a new task -> trigger: NFC -> action: "Experimental -> Airplane Mode". Alternatively, instead of turning on airplane mode, you can set data and Wi-Fi to turn off by adding the appropriate actions to the task.
Automotive Automation
NFC tags will be very useful for those who use their smartphone as a car navigator. It is enough to stick the tag on the smartphone holder and write down the instructions for launching the navigator into it - and voila. Everything has become much easier. However, I would recommend taking a slightly different path and complicating the setup by adding automatic Bluetooth (for the headset), GPS and Wi-Fi off.
To do this, we again need a Trigger. We start, add a task, select NFC as a trigger. Add action "Bluetooth -> Bluetooth On/Off -> Enable". Add one more action: "Wireless & Local Networks -> GPS On/Off -> Enable". And one more thing: "Wireless and local networks -> WiFi On / Off -> Turn off." Finally, add the action "App and shortcuts -> Open app -> select app". We skip the screen for adding switches, on the next screen we bring the smartphone to the tag.
Now, after installing the smartphone in the holder, we will get a smartphone fully configured for use in the car.
Smartphone unlock
Motorola has a rather interesting smartphone accessory called the Motorola Skip. This is a clothing clip for quickly unlocking your smartphone without the need to enter a PIN code or pattern. The accessory is quite useful in some cases, but it only works with smartphones from the same company. Fortunately, a similar contraption can be assembled on the knee.
I won’t tell you how to make the clip itself - here everyone is free to show their imagination, you can stick an NFC tag on your hand - but instead I’ll tell you how to set up a smartphone to unlock when you touch it. There are several ways, but the simplest and most effective is the Xposed NFC LockScreenOff Enabler module. The module, like Xposed itself, requires root, but in addition to effectively solving the problem, it includes a super function - NFC activation when the screen is off.
The fact is that for security reasons, Android prohibits the use of NFC until the screen is unlocked (not just turned on, but unlocked), which negates many effective methods of using it. NFC LockScreenOff Enabler solves this problem.
Business card
NFC tags can be used in combination with business cards. There are several companies on the market that produce them, but their price tags are such that it’s easier to stick tags on ordinary business cards yourself, and there will still be a lot of money left in your pocket. You can write any information into the tag, including contact information (TagWriter supports this format), website address, or even geographic coordinates of your office (the smartphone will automatically open maps to show the position). And most importantly, it is not at all necessary to give a business card to a person, it is enough for him to scan it.
Turning on the computer
This is a kind of development of the idea of tags on a system unit and a laptop. The idea is to create a setting that will allow you to turn on the computer using an NFC tag, regardless of where the tag itself is located. For example, you can stick it in the hallway, so you can turn on the car even before you take off your shoes. The method is based on the WoL function, which allows you to turn on the computer by sending packets to the Ethernet port, and the Wol Wake on Lan Wan Android application, which does this via the Internet.
How to setup? First, open the router control panel and configure port forwarding 7 and 9 (WoL ports) to our home machine. It is very important to specify the MAC address instead of IP, as the latter may be given to another device. Next, we go to noip.com, register and get a free domain, which we will use to reach the router from the outside. If you have a static IP, you can skip this step.
Next, install Wol Wake on Lan Wan on the smartphone, press the Add New button and drive in an arbitrary name, the MAC address of the computer and the previously received domain in the window that opens, press Save. Just in case, check the setting. Next, install Tasker, go to the Tasks tab (tasks), create a new task, select Plugin -> Wol Wake on Lan Wan as an action and select the previously created WoL profile. We save.
Now we need to bind this task to NFC. To do this, launch Trigger, add a task, select NFC as a trigger, and “Scheduler -> Scheduler Task” as an action (the developers translated Tasker as “Scheduler”), then select the task created in the previous step in Tasker, skip creating switches and at the last stage of the setup, we bring the smartphone to the NFC tag.
This is all. If everything is configured correctly, then when the tag is detected, Android will give control to Trigger, which, in turn, will launch a Tasker task that activates the profile we need in the Wol Wake on Lan Wan application, it will send the WoL packet to the router, which will redirect it to The MAC address of the computer whose network card is ... Well, okay. In general, everything just should work :).
conclusions
NFC technology has a lot of applications, and I'm sure that in five years NFC tags and payment terminals will be everywhere, from billboards to supermarkets. And I hope that at least this time Russia will not lag behind the whole world for fifty years.
Payment services like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, which began their work in Russia just a month ago, have already managed to change our lives for the better. Thanks to them, we stopped digging into wallets, delaying the queue, and “shine” banknotes in front of everyone. So, in any case, say those who have already managed to experience all the advantages of contactless payment for themselves. But what about those who do not have this privilege?
Despite the relatively widespread use of mobile services for transactions, many Russians (and not only them) do not have the opportunity to use them. The reason for this is quite simple and literally lies on the surface - the smartphone market is not limited to Apple and Samsung devices. Some prefer to use something less flashy, but certainly more accessible.
There are many ways to turn your smartphone, regardless of manufacturer, into a real wallet. Let's start in order.
The first and, in my opinion, the most preferred is Yandex.Money.
Few people know that the Yandex.Money application supports contactless payments, requiring only the NFC module integrated into the smartphone from the client. The user himself should take care of replenishing the wallet with title units (read - money).
The second way is an NFC SIM card.
These are issued by the mobile operator MTS in cooperation with the bank of the same name. Install a functional card in your smartphone and pay for purchases with a light touch on the terminal. No one will guess that you cheated!
Of course, it is still impossible to call it a full-fledged replacement for Apple Pay, since transactions are not encrypted and do not require fingerprint identification. In addition, you still have to open a separate account with MTS PJSC or Russian Standard Bank.
However, if you are already a cardholder of one of the two banks, the problem disappears by itself. All you have to do is visit the nearest mobile phone salon or a bank branch, where you can get the above-described SIM card for free.
Method three - NFC antenna.
Live antenna looks less intimidating
For all those whose smartphone does not have a “near field” module in its arsenal, the path to “contactless” will be somewhat more difficult. They will either have to replace the device with a new one, which is irrational, or equip it with an NFC antenna on their own. Contrary to popular belief, doing this is much easier than imagining.
To do this, you need to purchase an external NFC antenna, which is sold in mobile phone stores, and, after gluing it to the surface of the SIM card, place it under the cover of your smartphone. A small note: this operation will not be possible for owners of devices with a non-removable back panel and a side slot for SIM cards.
NFC bracelets.
Some banks, including Alfa-Bank, are engaged in the release of seemingly ingenious bracelets that carry in their design an NFC chip associated with your personal account. It works exactly on the same principle as plastic cards with PayPass or PayWave technology.
Check with the bank representatives about the availability of appropriate accessories in their range and, having obtained a copy, remove the chip from the purchased bracelet and simply put it in the case of your smartphone or tablet. Thus, you will not only have to remember the need to have a wallet with you, but also worry about the autonomy of the main gadget.
The cost of an NFC bracelet, depending on the bank, ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles. The same amount will cost you a case with a small pocket on the back.
Near field communication (NFC) (translated as: “near field communication”) is a new short-range wireless high-frequency communication technology. nfc chip< дает возможность обмениваться данными между разными устройствами, находящимися на расстоянии 10 сантиметров. Данная технология является простым расширением существующего стандарта бесконтактных карт (классификация ISO 14443), объединяет рабочий интерфейс смарт-карт и считывателя в общее устройство. Такой прибор NFC способен поддерживать связь даже с существующими смарт-картами, а также со считывателями ISO 14443 стандарта, и прочими устройствами NFC и, может быть совместим с рабочей инфраструктурой бесконтактных карт, использующейся уже в общественном транспорте/платежных системах. NFC нацелена, в первую очередь, на использование в мобильных устройствах.
What is nfc module
The module is an external device that allows for rapid identification using a radio link at a distance. The short-range communication module operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz at speeds up to 424 kbps. This technology is based on the use of specialized chips (including telephone SIM cards) in communication devices. The widest spread of NFC technology in the near future is associated with the possibility of using it together with smartphones and mobile phones: a mobile device is equipped with a module (an external nfc module for a phone is suitable), which will allow the subscriber to make timely payments for services and goods, simply by bringing his phone closer to the reader. It is usually understood that the funds are debited from the client's bank account, and not from the account with the mobile operator. connections.
Types of modules
The main types of nfc modules are sim cards, external devices and chips. Also, you can use additional devices for communication and payment, such as NFC modules and stickers. The nfc module for the phone can be ordered separately, or it can be purchased already in the phone as built-in equipment. Stickers are attached to the body of the phone. There are passive and active. The first ones are not able to exchange data with the phone and do not make it possible to write information to the NFC device through the communication channels of the mobile operator. Active - use the Wi-Fi / Bluetooth communication channel to communicate with the device, which leads to increased power consumption, or the need for constant recharging of the module. A common drawback of such modules is the presence of a mount.
How to add an NFC chip to a smartphone
The first option is an NFC SIM card. They are issued by many mobile operators. Install a ready-made functional card in your smartphone and pay for purchases with a light touch on the terminal. Of course, this cannot be called a quality replacement for Apple Pay, since ongoing transactions are not encrypted and do not require fingerprint identification. In addition, the user will most likely have to open a new account with a mobile operator/bank. However, if he is the holder of a plastic card of one of the banks, the problem will disappear by itself. All you have to do is visit a mobile phone salon or a bank branch and get a SIM card.
NFC antenna. Another working way. For all users whose phone or smartphone does not have a “near field” module in their arsenal, the path to “contactless” is a little more difficult. You will have to either replace the device, which is irrational, or equip it with an NFC antenna yourself. Contrary to popular belief, this is much easier to do than previously imagined. To do this, you need to purchase a special external NFC antenna. You can do this in mobile phone stores, then, by gluing it to the SIM card, install it under the cover of your mobile device.
A small remark: this operation will not work for owners of devices with a non-removable back cover and a side hole for SIM cards. You can install the module in almost all phone models. This solution is simple and will be used until phones with built-in NFC modules appear on the market.
Recently, you can increasingly hear the mention of a certain NFC technology in the context of electronic payments through a smartphone. Many use it without knowing either the name or the principle of operation. There are a lot of rumors around NFC that affect the security of personal data, money, and sometimes health. It is to explain these questions that this article was written.
NFC in the phone - what it is, how it works and where it is used
Deciphering the abbreviation NFC is literally translated into Russian as "near contactless communication." From the name, one can immediately conclude that one of the main features of NFC is that data is transmitted at a very close distance, up to 10 cm. Of course, nothing prevents the exchange of information at a distance of several centimeters via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but here it is worth understanding the details .
The principle of operation of NFC is based on the phenomenon of magnetic field induction, through which a short-range high-frequency data transmission between two devices at a frequency of 13.56 MHz is realized.
One reason for the existence of this technology is the need for security. It is logical that it is physically difficult to “hack” a contact that occurs in a small area, unlike other wireless connections. But what is the use of such technology if it cannot be used to communicate with a device even ten meters away? It's simple: NFC has a completely different focus. From the obvious - contactless payment by bringing the smartphone to the terminal. But this is far from the only area in which NFS can be used.
Examples of using the NFC chip:
- Transfer media files, contacts or settings between smartphones.
- Cashless payment. Perhaps the most popular use of the system, which is widely used in Russia. There are also various options: paying for travel, providing personal data by touch, etc.
- Reading information. NFC tags in smart cards and other objects allow you to instantly enter information into your smartphone, for example, from a business card. NFC chips are small enough to be embedded in almost any item.
- Some Sony TVs have a One Touch Mirroring feature that allows you to display video from your phone's memory on the TV screen.
- Access control to various services or objects, where a device with an NFC chip is used instead of a key.
The first phone equipped with NFC appeared back in 2006 (Nokia 6131), but such devices have become widespread only in recent years, and now NFC can be found not only in flagships, but also in models of the middle price segment, and even budget smartphones.
Benefits of NFC
- Instant connection. NFC allows devices to connect without additional manipulations, entering settings and other things, it is enough to bring two gadgets with NFC chips to each other.
- Security. As already mentioned, the short range greatly complicates the process of hacking, but this does not mean that NFC does not have other means of protection. In addition, having lost a bank card, the risk of losing money on it is much higher than in the case of losing a phone, where funds are protected not only by a password, but also by the need to confirm access to the gadget itself.
- The convenience of use. You can add several bank cards to the smartphone’s memory at once and pay with them from one device, in addition, NFC works not only with bank cards, but also with transport and discount cards.
Which devices support NFC
Most modern smartphones support this technology, but older or very low-end solutions may not have it. Some manufacturers put the name of the technology on the surface of the device case, but there is a more effective way to check if your smartphone has it:
- Open the device settings menu.
- Go to "Wireless Networks" or "Connected Devices".
- Open More.
- Find the NFC item.
And of course, you can always just google the name of your smartphone by adding NFC next to it, and everything will become clear.
How to pay by phone
Here we will consider the most popular way to use NFC - card emulation. Using emulation, you can create a virtual duplicate of the card and pay from your phone, as if from MasterCard PayPass or Visa Paywave cards, which are simply applied to the terminal to debit funds.
Smartphones with an NFC chip running OC Android make contactless payments using the Android Pay application, which can be downloaded from the Play Market using the following link. Samsung phones work with the proprietary Samsung Pay application, which is usually preinstalled in the operating system out of the box. The principle of operation of both applications is completely identical. 
A user who has never used a device unlock with a password, gesture or fingerprint will be forced to establish secure access to the device when launching Android Pay for the first time. This is a prerequisite for using contactless payment.
How to use Android Pay:
If you have connected more than one card, then you must first select the one that will be used for payment, if it is not set by default. Transactions are confirmed at the time of unlocking the smartphone using a code, pattern or fingerprint scanner. Payments in the amount of more than a thousand rubles, at the request of the seller, may need to be confirmed by entering a PIN code from a bank card in the terminal or by signing. 
For quick access to NFC, pin the activation icon for this function in the notification shade so as not to look for it in the wilds of settings every time you need to pay. 
How to pay with a smartphone in the subway or bus? This is done in a similar way: we launch Android Pay, confirm authorization and pay for the trip by touching the smartphone to the turnstile. In the same way, you can pay for admission to museums, exhibitions and similar places, without having to stand in line for a ticket.
Sharing data and files via NFC
Android Beam (or Samsung Beam on devices from the same manufacturer) is used to transfer files from smartphone to smartphone via NFC. Let's figure out how to send files via NFC:
Similarly, you can transfer other information, such as a list of contacts, which makes life much easier when switching from an old smartphone to a new one.
Conclusion
Since most smartphones have long been equipped with an NFC module, today the basis for changing the system of electronic payments is being formed. And despite the rather high popularity of NFC as a payment method, the demand for this technology (relative to its potential) is very small. In the future, NFC may become an integral part of our lives, as smartphones themselves once did, since it is really convenient to pay with your phone.
NFC technology in Russia has already matured to the point where you can even pay for purchases at the nearest Pyaterochka with a smartphone. Therefore, many owners of older devices became interested: how to add NFC to a phone without NFC? If you're here for this, we have two pieces of news: good and bad.
Bad news: you can't use NFC to its full potential
Alas, this is the sad truth. If NFC support is not built into your smartphone by the manufacturer, then no household tricks will help you equip it with all the features of this module.
Why? To answer this question, you need to understand what is behind the words "NFC support". First, a special chip must be soldered into the smartphone's motherboard. Secondly, the smartphone case must contain an NFC antenna that will transmit signals from the chip to the outside world. And thirdly, your phone's operating system must be able to receive and transmit data using the NFC protocol.
Agree, if you are not a specialist in radio electronics and part-time programmer-system engineer, adding NFC to a phone without NFC with your own hands is quite problematic. Therefore, the only full-fledged way out is to buy a smartphone with NFC support.. For instance, .
The good news: in part - you still can!
However, not everything is so deplorable. To help those who are deprived of the opportunity to buy a phone, detachable phone accessories come - NFC-enabled SIM cards and detachable NFC antennas. 
NFC-enabled SIM cards in Russia are issued only by the Big Three operators - MTS, Megafon and Beeline. But we will focus on the first one, since the solution proposed by it meets our task.
Megafon and Beeline cards are designed for a slightly different purpose: they are installed in phones that already have NFC support and are used for contactless fare payment in transport from a mobile phone account.
But with the help of the service from MTS you can partially use NFC payment options, namely, to pay in transport and in stores using an MTS-Bank card as a wallet.
What is needed for this?
Issue an MTS-Bank card at the office of a mobile operator, or install an application on a smartphone for free MTS Money and release a virtual one. The application resembles Google Pay.
In addition, you need to purchase a set for contactless payment in the MTS salon: a SIM card with an NFC chip and an NFC antenna. It looks like this:
The SIM card is installed in the phone in the usual way, and a thin flexible antenna is brought out of the case. There is a big limitation here: your phone must have a removable battery. Modern phones with a non-removable battery and a SIM card tray cannot be upgraded like that (however, as a rule, they already support NFC anyway). This is what it looks like assembled:
The antenna can be carefully glued to the back cover so that it does not hang out. That's all - you can replenish your MTS virtual card account, launch the application and pay with it in stores and the metropolitan metro.
Does it work?
Yes. At the moment, this solution is the only working way for Russia to add NFC to a phone without NFC.
But, of course, its disadvantages are obvious. It is not suitable for all smartphones, it requires an agreement with MTS, the external antenna is easily damaged, and the tightness of the phone case is also violated, since the antenna is brought out through the seam. In addition, this is still not a full-fledged NFC chip. They cannot, for example,.
And here is a little more about NFC:
