Phone Compatibility

NFC reader placement varies by device. Select your phone type below for compatibility information.

iPhone

Works without an app

The following iPhones can scan the NFC tag automatically while the screen is on:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone SE, 2nd and 3rd generation
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone 14 series
• iPhone 15 series
• iPhone 16 series, including iPhone 16e
• iPhone 17 series, including iPhone 17e
• iPhone Air
• Newer compatible models

Apple introduced background NFC tag reading with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. These models and newer iPhones can recognize a properly formatted NFC web link without opening a separate scanning app. The screen must be on, and the phone may need to be unlocked before opening the link.

Works with an NFC-reading app

• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone X

These phones contain NFC hardware, but they do not support automatic background tag reading. An NFC-reading app may be required to initiate the scan. Apple has supported app-based NFC tag reading since the iPhone 7.

How to scan with an iPhone

• Wake the phone and make sure the screen is on.
• Place the very top edge of the iPhone against the NFC scanning area.
• Scan the indicated NFC area. located on the back top right corner when looking at the front of your art.
• Hold the phone in place for one or two seconds.
• When the notification appears, tap it to open the recording.

If you haven’t restarted your phone in a while, it may also be worth trying a quick restart—occasionally that can help reset background features like NFC.

Android Phones

Many Android phones can scan NFC tags, but not every Android device includes NFC hardware. Compatibility depends on the specific phone model, not simply its Android version.

Common compatible families include many models from:

• Samsung Galaxy S, Note, Z Fold, and Z Flip series
• Many Samsung Galaxy A-series models
• Google Pixel phones
• Many current Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi, and other Android phones

Some lower-cost models and regional versions may not include NFC, even when a similarly named model does.

How to check an Android phone

Open the phone’s Settings and search for “NFC.”

• If an NFC setting appears, turn it on.
• If no NFC setting appears, the phone may not contain NFC hardware.
• Settings locations and names vary by manufacturer.

Google similarly advises that if an NFC setting is not present, the phone does not have NFC capability.

How to scan with an Android phone

• Make sure NFC is turned on.
• Wake and unlock the phone.
• Place the back of the phone against the indicated NFC area. located on the back top right corner when looking at the front of your art.
• Begin near the center or upper portion of the phone.
• Move the phone slowly until the NFC antenna finds the tag.
• Hold it in place for one or two seconds.
• Tap the notification that appears to open the recording.

If you haven’t restarted your phone in a while, it may also be worth trying a quick restart—occasionally that can help reset background features like NFC.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel phones include NFC tag-reading capabilities, including the original Pixel generations and newer Pixel models.

To check that NFC is enabled:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Connected devices.
3. Select Connection preferences.
4. Select NFC.
5. Turn on Use NFC.

On most Pixel phones, the NFC antenna is located on the back of the phone near the upper portion of the device. On Pixel Fold and other foldable models, the phone may need to be folded when using NFC.

If you haven’t restarted your phone in a while, it may also be worth trying a quick restart—occasionally that can help reset background features like NFC.

Windows Phones

Windows phones are not officially supported. Some older models contain NFC hardware, but compatibility with modern NFC web links, browsers, and security requirements can be unreliable.