Reconfiguring NFC Tags and NFC Cards for iOS use with an Android device

In this article, we will go over the NFC Tag or Card criteria for use with iOS by rewriting with an Android device, show some NFC Tag and Card examples, share where the NFC reader is typically located on an Android device, cover downloading the NFC Tag Tools App, and go over how to reconfigure an NFC Tag or Card that was not pre-configured for iOS.

NOTE: All new NFC Tag and ID cards from Trackforce will come pre-configured, only pre-existing non-configured NFC Tags or ID Cards will need to be reconfigured.

• Criteria for NFC Tag and Card Compatibility with Android

• NFC Tag and NFC Card Examples
• Android NFC Reader Example
• The NFC Tag Tools App

• How to Reconfigure an NFC Tag or Card

Criteria for NFC Tag and Card Compatibility with Android

There are 3 prerequisites for an NFC Tag or Card to be compatible with m-Post (Android):

1. The NFC Tag or Card must be in an NDEF (NFC forum data) format
2. The UID (unique identifier) must be written as a text record​.
3. The NFC Tag or Card must be locked for security

NOTE: If the NFC Tag or Card does not meet these criteria you will not be able to scan the NFC Tag or Card with our app.

NFC Tag and NFC Card Examples

An NFC Tag or Card is a small passive electronic device used for storing information. Their shapes, sizes, and colors can vary widely, but most often the ones used for our application are either small round plastic disc-shaped NFC Tags used for tours tags with adhesive backing for easier mounting or plastic credit card shaped NFC Cards used for ID cards.

Android NFC Reader Example

The NFC reader is usually in the center of the device, but can vary by manufacturer. You may need to touch the back of the device to the tag or card to scan it.

If you are holding the device next to an NFC Tag or card and it is not reading you may need to move the device until the device's NFC reader come in closer contact with the NFC Tag or card. 

You may also need to check the model specs to find where the NFC reader is for a specific device. 

The NFC Tag Tools App

In order to reconfigure an NFC Tag or Card you will need to first download the NFC Tag Tools app from the Google play store.

Install the NFC Tag Tools app on an Android device with an NFC reader.

Type NFC Tag Tools in the search bar and install the App.

How to Reconfigure an NFC Tag or Card

To reconfigure an NFC Tag or Card:

1. Open the NFC Tools App and scan the NFC Tag or Card you want to reconfigure.

2. Tap the Serial number button.

3. Copy the Serial Number to the clipboard.

4. Tap the Write tab and “Add a record”

5.  Select ”Text”.

6.  Tap clipboard to paste the serial number in the text field, remove the colon symbols, and confirm with “OK”

7. Select “Write”

8. Approach Tag to Write on Tag.  You will get a Write complete! acknowledgement once complete. Tap the OK button.

9. Select “Other” tab and “Lock tag”

10.  Confirm Lock with “Yes”

11. Approach and scan Tag.  You will get a Lock complete! acknowledgement once complete. Tap the OK button.