NFC stands for Near Field Communication, which is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices like phones and smartwatches to exchange small bits of data with other devices and read NFC-equipped cards over relatively short distances. NFC transmissions are short range, from a touch to a few centimeters, and require the devices to be in close proximity. NFC is a wireless protocol standard that operates over very small distances of just a few centimeters and runs at 13.56 megahertz. NFC technology allows users to make secure transactions, exchange digital content, and connect electronic devices with a touch.

NFC can be used for a variety of purposes, including making easy payments with mobile payment services like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay. Payment terminals use NFC, so your smartphone essentially emulates the data stored on your card. NFC can also be used to quickly connect with wireless devices and transfer data with Android Beam. NFC can be used to mimic a contactless debit or credit card, and payment cards and security tags had already been using RFID for years, and since NFC was built on the same foundation, it turned out to be a near-perfect fit to integrate those features into smartphones and smartwatches.

Nearly all of today’s smartphones and smartwatches are equipped with NFC technology. If you own a recent iPhone (from 2015 or later), it definitely has the requisite hardware for NFC. On Android, you can delve into the Settings app and then look for NFC under the “Connected Devices” or “Network and Sharing” sub-menus. Most recent Android phones support NFC.