What is an NFC reader, and what can you do with it?

In our previous article, we discussed RFID readers. In this article, we’ll talk about NFC readers. So, what is an NFC reader? And what can you do with it? In this article, we’ll go back to the basics. 

What is an NFC reader?

An NFC reader is a device that allows you to program data onto an NFC chip. This is done via an antenna. Both the NFC chip and the reader are equipped with an antenna. This enables the chip and the reader to communicate with each other. And it’s not just communication—with a reader, you can also program and duplicate data. Suppose you want to program 1,000 NFC chips with the same data. It would take a long time to program each chip one by one. By duplicating the data, you can save specific data and then program it directly onto the chip without having to re-enter the information each time. This process is also known as duplication. 

What features does an NFC reader have?

We discussed duplication in the previous paragraph, but of course you can also program a chip with new data. There are all kinds of functions you can program onto the NFC chip, such as a URL, contact information, social media channels, triggers, etc. You connect the NFC reader to your laptop or desktop using a USB cable. You can then download the software for free from the internet. With this software, you can read the NFC chip and then program it. Although RFID and NFC chips operate at different frequencies, some readers allow you to program both RFID and NFC chips. 

Using Your Phone as an NFC Reader

There’s a good chance your smartphone has a built-in NFC chip. That’s good news, because it means you can program NFC chips using your phone. You’ll need an app to do this, but you can download it for free from the App Store or Play Store. Two great apps are “NXP Tagwriter” and “NFC Tools.” Read more about these apps in this blog post. These apps are packed with features and useful applications.

Compatible with all NFC chips

If you want to program an RFID tag, you need to pay close attention to the frequency of the tag you want to program. The RFID reader might not support that particular tag. This isn’t an issue with NFC. These tags all operate on the same frequency, so you can program any NFC tag with a single reader. There are even readers that can also program RFID tags, such as the ACR122U. 

The advantages of a reader over a mobile app

The biggest advantage is convenience. An NFC reader works much faster than a mobile app. The software makes programming quick and easy. If you need to program large quantities of chips, using a reader can save you a lot of time. Duplicating chips also works exceptionally well with an NFC reader. 

The most popular NFC reader

Are you interested in purchasing an NFC reader? If so, we recommend the ACR122U. This reader is the most popular model in our lineup. Thanks to the user-friendly software—which you can download for free online—programming has become much easier. What if you decide to start working with RFID in the future? The ACR122U also supports RFID chips, such as the MIFARE Classic 1K.