NFC tap to play

Walnut Soundwave Art - NFC Enabled

Most modern smartphones, both Android and iPhone, are capable of scanning NFC tags. However, some models need an app in order to do so. Please see the breakdown below. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to communicate with each other when they are close together. Tap your phone to the location of the embedded NFC tag on the back of the Walnut. The placement of the reader in your phone will vary, but most of the time, they are near the top, sometimes in the corner. You should Google your phone + location of NFC reader to know where yours is.

iPhone

All iPhones from the iPhone 7 onward have NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities, enabling them to scan NFC chips. However, iPhones from the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR models onwards have native background NFC tag reading capabilities, meaning they can read NFC tags without needing to open a specific app. Earlier models like the iPhone 7 and 8 may require an app to read NFC tags.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:

These models have NFC capabilities and can read NFC tags, but require a third-party app, like Blue Bite's app, to initiate the scan.

iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X:

Similar to the iPhone 7, these models also require an app to scan NFC tags.

iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR:

These models introduced native background NFC tag reading, meaning they can scan NFC tags without an app.

iPhone 11 and later:

 All subsequent iPhone models (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16) also have native NFC tag reading capabilities.

Android:

All Android versions since Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) have supported NFC. NFC functionality is typically enabled by default, but users can also manage it through their device's settings.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Android 2.3.3 and later:

Android devices have included NFC hardware and software support since this version.

Enabling NFC:

While often enabled by default, users can typically find the NFC toggle in their device's settings under "Connected devices" or similar.

NFC and Android Beam:

Android Beam, a feature for transferring data via NFC, is closely related to NFC functionality. It's often automatically enabled when NFC is turned on, but users can also manage it separately.

Secure NFC:

Android 10 introduced "Secure NFC," which allows for off-host NFC card emulation to be enabled only when the device is unlocked.

Google Pixel

All Google Pixel phones from the Pixel 3 onwards can scan NFC tags. This includes the Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 series, as well as their XL and a-series variants.

To use NFC on a Pixel phone:

Enable NFC: Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > NFC and ensure it’s toggled on.
Position the phone: Place the back of your phone near the NFC tag or reader.
Interact with the tag: The phone will automatically read the tag and launch the corresponding action or app.

Windows phones

Windows phones running Windows Phone 8 and later support NFC tag scanning. Specifically, the Nokia Lumia 610 NFC special edition was an early adopter, followed by many other models. Windows Phone 8 introduced full NFC integration.

NFC integration:

Windows Phone 8 and later versions include built-in NFC functionality.

Tag reading: Devices with NFC antennas can read data stored on NFC tags.
Consult the manufacturer’s website or the phone’s documentation to see if NFC is a supported feature.