[Q] Add NFC antenna to GS3? - NFC Hacking

I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 which depends on the battery with a built in NFC antenna for NFC to work. I am currently using a 3rd party battery that doesn't have an NFC antenna. I would love if there is an option to somehow add an antenna externally, but not through the use of a microSD card if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Doubt it. NFC isn't just a matter of adding an antenna afaik.

pcorlatan said:
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 which depends on the battery with a built in NFC antenna for NFC to work. I am currently using a 3rd party battery that doesn't have an NFC antenna. I would love if there is an option to somehow add an antenna externally, but not through the use of a microSD card if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be really be more feasible to just buy a different battery with NFC support. Trying to add an NFC antenna to the phone would be a lot more work than it's worth.

JunyuT. said:
Doubt it. NFC isn't just a matter of adding an antenna afaik.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assumed the rest of the required hardware is built into the phone and just the antenna in the battery, but then again the antenna probably needs to receive power so I can see how that would be an issue. Thanks for your input.
TWO515TY said:
It would be really be more feasible to just buy a different battery with NFC support. Trying to add an NFC antenna to the phone would be a lot more work than it's worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks, it's not too big of a deal to throw in an NFC battery when I need the functionality.

S3 need a antenna?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

tuansiro said:
S3 need a antenna?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as much as any NFC-enabled phone does... You know that the antenna is embedded in the inside of the phone, right?

Damastus said:
Just as much as any NFC-enabled phone does... You know that the antenna is embedded in the inside of the phone, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually on the SGS3 the NFC antenna is in the battery, not the phone.
Sent from my Transformer using Tapatalk 2

Actually I knew that since it was stated in the first post. I consider that still inside the phone.
I thought the user I answered to imagined something like this here as an nfc antenna.

While technically yes, you could make an antenna out of say aluminium foil if you could figure how to cut it so you end up with a tuned antenna, then connect it to the correct pin on the battery connector, I think any sane person would just stick an NFC battery in.
I think they put the antenna in the battery because it's up close to the back of the case. That would also keep it well away from the other antennas that I doubt would like the power pulses that NFC puts out while it's polling.
Oh and Damastus, that picture it hilarious.

I've done the wireless charging mod using Palm Pixi guts. That thin coil of wire is enough to break NFC communication, depending on where it's put. NFC has a VERY short range, so I'm sure it's in the battery to put it as close to potential NFC chips you want to read, and to minimize anything else getting between the antenna & chip (like cases, batteries, etc.)

TWO515TY said:
It would be really be more feasible to just buy a different battery with NFC support. Trying to add an NFC antenna to the phone would be a lot more work than it's worth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the Nexus S, the antenna is built into the phone's backplate.
In theory, you could buy a Nexus S back, remove that antenna, and put it on the inside of your phone.
Run fine wires from the phone's NFC antenna connections to the antenna, and it might just work.
I'd expect reception to be lousy, since you'll detune the antenna by trying to connect it. This also assumes that the NFC circuitry is in the phone, and the battery has only the antenna.

sysadmn said:
On the Nexus S, the antenna is built into the phone's backplate.
In theory, you could buy a Nexus S back, remove that antenna, and put it on the inside of your phone.
Run fine wires from the phone's NFC antenna connections to the antenna, and it might just work.
I'd expect reception to be lousy, since you'll detune the antenna by trying to connect it. This also assumes that the NFC circuitry is in the phone, and the battery has only the antenna.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or..buy a battery with NFC support..
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I got my extended battery (4300mAh) with NFC support from a Chinese manufacturer for only $15. I know you have to be careful with those, but this one seemed legit so I took a chance and it works great - last forever - AND has NFC. Here's the one I got: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/NFC-Extended-cell-phone-battery-with-cover-for-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-I9300-4300mAh/577969392.html

just take apart an OEM battery and start playing with it. My guess is what you want to do is VERY doable.

If I recall correctly, the Verizon SGS3 inductive charging back cover has the NFC element on the cover, not the battery.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

nerys71 said:
just take apart an OEM battery and start playing with it. My guess is what you want to do is VERY doable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought about that but I don't want to waste a perfectly good battery just to try, although it's tempting.
Mutiny32 said:
If I recall correctly, the Verizon SGS3 inductive charging back cover has the NFC element on the cover, not the battery.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're right, however I'm pretty sure that's what the extra two pins under the battery are for. These pins are only on the Verizon version of the GS3 though, so it wouldn't work for my T-Mobile GS3. Thanks for the suggestion though.

buy a cheapy chinese battery that has NFC and "have at it"

As far as I have known, there is a type of NFC antenna available in the market that can be stuck to the back cover of your Galaxy S3. In this way, you can take full advantages of NFC functions of the Samsung mobile with an alternative mobile battery. However, it seems that most providers like Sunshine Good Electronics Company only do wholesales business on platforms like Globe Resources. You can search it on e-bay, maybe you will be surprised to find on retail seller.

Related

[Q] Long term effects of using NFC (i777) batteries on i9100?

Genuine Samsung 1650mAh batteries are only $30 at an AT&T store--$15 if you have corporate accessory discount.
Picked one up for my i9100, seems to fit okay and everything seems to work ok.
After searching, i could find that some people are using the NFC batteries (either from the i777 or the Korean NFC GS2).
Has anyone experienced any detrimental side effects to using the NFC batteries in a non-NFC equipped i9100?
Is there any risk for that matter w/ using an NFC battery for our i9100's?
A quick search found this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1292484
antonyfl said:
A quick search found this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1292484
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that doesn't answer his question.
pmpntl said:
Genuine Samsung 1650mAh batteries are only $30 at an AT&T store--$15 if you have corporate accessory discount.
Picked one up for my i9100, seems to fit okay and everything seems to work ok.
After searching, i could find that some people are using the NFC batteries (either from the i777 or the Korean NFC GS2).
Has anyone experienced any detrimental side effects to using the NFC batteries in a non-NFC equipped i9100?
Is there any risk for that matter w/ using an NFC battery for our i9100's?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using one for four months now, only issue for me is that the battery cover creaks a bit more when the NFC battery is used, and the usual issue that happens when swapping batteries, your charge information is less precise at the bottom of the scale.
This thread got me thinking, if one inserts the NFC capable battery from the at&t Mobility SGS2 into a GT-I9100 would it provide the same NFC capability that it provides to the at&t version?
Dan
dan1431 said:
This thread got me thinking, if one inserts the NFC capable battery from the at&t Mobility SGS2 into a GT-I9100 would it provide the same NFC capability that it provides to the at&t version?
Dan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, people have been working on it, but nothing seems to work so far, the battery only has the aerial in it anyway so you need the software and for the chip to be wired up correctly.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Antenna ports behind battery cover?

Has anyone else noticed what look like antenna ports behind the battery cover? The battery cover isn't supposed to function as an antenna like the Thunderbolt, is it? Mine definitely doesn't have any contacts.
I believe the NFC antenna is in the battery.
I'm talking about the things labeled G, L1 C2, C1, L2.
Bump, does anyone else see what i'm talking about?
mirkendargen said:
Bump, does anyone else see what i'm talking about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see exactly what your talking about (pretty sure). Could it not be the barometric pressure sensor?
I dont have this...are you LTE?
Confirmed - LTE
My LTE has those antenna ports as well. I suppose you could plug in a laptop antenna and see what happens
I've got them on my lte
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Its possible that they are ports for a wireless charging system that may come out for the nexus. I have noticed more phones are incorporating it in from beginning.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
It does look like port for antenna, I don't think its for wireless charging back.
Those ports are used by the carriers to hook up their test equipment during the phone testing and certification process.
ITGuy11 said:
Those ports are used by the carriers to hook up their test equipment during the phone testing and certification process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is correct those are not really intended to be used as external antenna/amplifier ports. Those of you who want a correct connector it may be found here: wpsantennas.com
WARNING: Those connectors are really fragile and I have had to resolder a new connector after one of mine got stuck 'open' (wpsantennas put up a warning for that adapter).
I'm curious given all the talk of poor signal issues with the GNex... Would it be possible / beneficial to connect to one of these ports and coil / attach something to the battery door? I am certainly not suggesting I go experimenting, but if after research it turns into, buy this adapter, cut here, buy this, solder, attach here... that would awesome. Even a little improvement would make many people happy I think.
I have the GSM version of the gnex and I only have 1 antenna port on the back of my phone.
I've tried connecting a wireless antenna but the connection is too small, the gnex connection is a bit bigger than your standard wireless connector plug.
I'm assuming you need something special to plug into it ')
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
What about the one labled "G"? Is that a GPS hookup? I have the airwave at home and it happened to have a gps antennae in the box. If i recall correctly.... one end of that cable looked like it would connect to this port...
If i were to experiment, could I damage my phone?
btate0121 said:
What about the one labled "G"? Is that a GPS hookup? I have the airwave at home and it happened to have a gps antennae in the box. If i recall correctly.... one end of that cable looked like it would connect to this port...
If i were to experiment, could I damage my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could. I won't try it though.
Beamed from my Grouper.
Gnex connections
Based on my 1 yr. of robotics, I would say (just guessing ) that L1 and L2 stand for Line1(neg.) and Line2(pos.) and G(ground). As to C1 and C2, no idea. All these are probably intended for trained techs and could potentially turn your phone into a paper weight if used incorrectly. Just sayin'
btate0121 said:
What about the one labled "G"? Is that a GPS hookup? I have the airwave at home and it happened to have a gps antennae in the box. If i recall correctly.... one end of that cable looked like it would connect to this port...
If i were to experiment, could I damage my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you attach an Antenna, it will open that port and it will be sick open meaning it won't ever work again without an Antenna. A friend of mine did this to the epic 4g
"best to be fresh"
dreamsforgotten said:
Once you attach an Antenna, it will open that port and it will be sick open meaning it won't ever work again without an Antenna. A friend of mine did this to the epic 4g
"best to be fresh"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read that someone did the same thing with a AT&T SGS2
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
There was a thread around, if the antenna cable's pin diameter is too big, it will force the contacts open.
Beamed from Maguro

Signal Problems after Using External Antenna

Hi,
Am having problems with my GNex after briefly using the external antenna port in the back when I was out in the middle of nowhere.
Before I used the port, I had good signal pretty much everywhere. At current (after using it) I get no bars (not even enough signal to receive sms) except for in extremely specific spots where it will jump up to full. There seems to be no loss of functionality in spots where I do have signal but I cannot find these without driving around for a while.
Are there any known issues to do with using the external antenna?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
Sorry, don't quite follow what you mean by 'external antenna port'?
What exactly did you do?
magnimus1 said:
Sorry, don't quite follow what you mean by 'external antenna port'?
What exactly did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the back of SGN, under the cover there is a socket to which you can connect external antenna to boost reception. I think this is what OP meant.
OP: You did try to turn it off and on again, didn't you? Maybe try to take out the battery and live it for some time and turn it on? For some reason it seems to help for some wired issues
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292
If you take the back cover off there is a small plug that you can use (it works because I used it for better or worse) with a standard external aerial plug (such as you might have in your car).
I plugged an external aerial into that port at the back so that I could check my phone in a place with very little service.
k_myk said:
On the back of SGN, under the cover there is a socket to which you can connect external antenna to boost reception. I think this is what OP meant.
OP: You did try to turn it off and on again, didn't you? Maybe try to take out the battery and live it for some time and turn it on? For some reason it seems to help for some wired issues
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I've turned it off and on and taken the battery out and stuff many many times.
spamlucal said:
I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds bad. Will look into it. Thanks.
spamlucal said:
I hope I'm wrong but it sounds just like:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1273292
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah that thread is the FIRST thing i thought of. in summary to anyone else, on the other galaxy phones, hooking up an external antenna to the port permanently disabled the regular internal antenna by seperating a connection on the hardware. broken as in permanently and physically. needs to be sent for repair.
so i wouldnt attempt this with the nexus either!
I think that is what has happened. Damn.
Anyone know if this is covered by warranty? Otherwise I'll break out the soldering iron.
more than likely not, but it can't hurt to play dumb and try.
I use and external antenna on my galaxy nexus to get good service and i have not had any problems like that, i still get ordinary service most places without it
Which antenna you use? Can you show us where u bought it?
Yes. What model antenna? The proper antenna is hard to find.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
Please note that the antenna connector is ***NOT*** meant as an everyday-use port (and not built to withstand such use). This thing is for testing the radio in the factory when the GN is assembled.
If you plug in a cable every day, even with the correct connector, you will likely break the port sooner or later.
Valynor said:
Please note that the antenna connector is ***NOT*** meant as an everyday-use port (and not built to withstand such use). This thing is for testing the radio in the factory when the GN is assembled.
If you plug in a cable every day, even with the correct connector, you will likely break the port sooner or later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who said anything about unplugging it? Maybe we want to mod our phones for permanent installation.
Sent from my Nexus in Texas.
I'd like a update on this situation as well!
It would be cool to repurpose/extend the pogo pins and attach an external antenna to a desk/car dock.... I too got excited when I saw the connectors.
anything new ??
I am having the same problems with the galaxy s
I am having the exact same issue with a galaxy S
Am having problems with my GNex after briefly using the external antenna port in the back when I was out in the middle of nowhere.
Before I used the port, I had good signal pretty much everywhere. At current (after using it) I get no bars (not even enough signal to receive sms) except for in extremely specific spots where it will jump up to full. There seems to be no loss of functionality in spots where I do have signal but I cannot find these without driving around for a while.
Are there any known issues to do with using the external antenna?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.[/QUOTE]
If you plugged in an external antenna then you permanently broke an internal connector to the internal antenna. So now you get poor service in all places except the most strong signal areas. I believe there is no way to fix the phone now, its hardware was permanently broke using the external antenna.

Galaxy S2 Inductive Charging IN PROGRESS

So I think it's finally time to get this going. I'm going to be taking apart and installing Touchstone wireless charging into my Hercules Galaxy S2. The parts are on order (I was going to do this with a PowerMat charger I had lying around but then I found out it's not compatible with the cheaper touchstone system so I ordered that instead). Should be getting pictures and guide (maybe video too) by the end of next weekend. Stay tuned.
This will be awesome!
Pretty cool thing.
Someone else did it with a touchstone dock. The microUSB port is kind of blocked, here but the kid who made it has another version of it, as well, with hidden cables and whatnot.
Youtube Samsung Galaxy S Wireless Inductive Charging Mod
nasKoo said:
Pretty cool thing.
Someone else did it with a touchstone dock. The microUSB port is kind of blocked, here but the kid who made it has another version of it, as well, with hidden cables and whatnot.
Youtube Samsung Galaxy S Wireless Inductive Charging Mod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw that. The idea with this mod is to be similar to his Galaxy S mod that has the free USB port. I'm not a fan of wires sticking out. Should be getting the Touchstone gear tomorrow and then the foil on Friday (copper foil). I'll do a bigger write-up when it's complete including materials and directions. As far as I know, nobody has done this yet with the GSII, which is why I want to do this and kind of add on to what the other guy did but for this newest generation
This is gonna be awesome.
I nearly broke my Vibrant when I did that last year. I'm not going through that experience again.
On a bright note: I now know how to completely take it apart and piece it back together in 5 minutes.
very excited for this! looking forward to the results/write-up and maybe if i have the balls ill give it a go myself . Good luck.
alberto1495 said:
very excited for this! looking forward to the results/write-up and maybe if i have the balls ill give it a go myself . Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
definitely sounds very interesting, which i was able to do this aswell lol, sounds very complicated maybe after the write up i'll do it as well
Question, Could the TouchStone interfere with the NFC communications ?
had no idea there was no support for our phones on this, i'm definitely interested as i dont like plugging and unplugging my charger all the time It'd be even more awesome to intuitively convert this into a wireless car charger haha
What would be really awesome is if there was a way to not only have wireless charging but have like a 5 for radius for the charging as well that doesn't muck with the NFC
Rastlin
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
I did a quick google search and I am not to sure if our phones are the same but I do like his idea perhaps this will help you on your journey
http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...s-mod-palm-touchstone-no-soldering-phone.html
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Evilhik said:
Question, Could the TouchStone interfere with the NFC communications ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was my first thought... would the induction field pump power into the NFC antennas and cause damage... but I'm not an engineer which is why I love the XDA community.
I dunno of it would mess with the NFC coil but I am thinking not unless it is "tunned" to the same frequency as the induction coil, them again on the other hand id that was true then we couldn't have our phones around ANY magnetic field. I would wager that the NFC coil may be grounded out already somehow, that is not to mention that it is "tunned" to a specific frequency as well...... justa thought
Rastlin
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Mziol I Sent you some close up of those pictures that you needed also im apprently not allowed to post any up untill i get 8 post
If this could get up and running that would be most awesome, I am sure that most of the folk on this forum would agree with me that this coupled with like NFC, if possible would rule!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
Induction Mod completed
I attempted the induction mod and was successful. I soldered a wire to the same pin as shown in the video for the Galaxy S. I need to clean it up with copper foil tape but it is functional. Putting the battery cover back is difficult because of the limited space between the battery and cover. I didn't take any pictures but if anyone has questions I would be happy to assist.
Can you take some pictures so that we can see and how snug was the battery cover? Does it interfere with the NFC?. Right now I an rocking the nexus extended battery and it's cramped to say the least
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
My only camera is my phone so I can't take any pictures. I have not tried the NFC function on my phone but I think the coil may interfere. As far as the battery cover is concerned, there is not enough space if you are using a larger battery.
Dang, if you happen to acquire a digital camera I would love to see pics and how it was put together kinda like a how to
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA

How to add NFC support to battery?

Hey, I have a fake battery bought from eBay that looks exactly like the original one but it is fake.
The problem is that it doesn't have NFC support. NFC works fine if the original battery is inside.
Since the battery just acts as NFC antenna, maybe it is possible to out something conductive to touch the correct contacts and NFC will work.
Did anyone ever try that? Does anyone know how to do that?
My Gnexi said:
Hey, I have a fake battery bought from eBay that looks exactly like the original one but it is fake.
The problem is that it doesn't have NFC support. NFC works fine if the original battery is inside.
Since the battery just acts as NFC antenna, maybe it is possible to out something conductive to touch the correct contacts and NFC will work.
Did anyone ever try that? Does anyone know how to do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I searched around, doesn't seem like nothing what you are suggesting has been done; Also, no hits on Google;
I would advise you to simply buy a NFC-capable battery. Messing with li-on batteries is not a great idea, IMO.
But that's not FUN
I'm not going to mess with the internals of the battery, just create an antenna that happens to be glued to the sticker of the antenna but could really be anywhere else.
Update: I did it!!!!!!!!!!!
Pins 1&3 are power, pins 2&4 are NFC (1 is leftmost pin)
I connected a bit of copper wire to each of the NFC pins, and connected them using coil (wrapped 4 or 5 times).
It reads NFC tags very well, the only problem now is I can't close the back cover because of the giant coil. I'll try to find a solution to that and upload pictures (or video), because as we all know "pictures or it didn't happen".
Update: The project FAILED.
I tried to connect the two NFC pins using a coil. When the coil was away from the phone, it worked very well. When the coil was on the phone, it didn't work. Since I wanted to stick it on the battery and be able to close the cover, I must say it didn't and can't work.
The fake battery is blocking NFC signal. If you put the good battery in and then put a tag -> NFC success sound.
If you put good battery in and a tag+fake battery over it -> No sound. Take the battery-> Success sound.
That concludes our experiment.
Real Samsung batteries with NFC are available on Amazon for $8.
+expensive international shipping. I'll stay with one battery that does NFC and one that doesn't, until my next phone.
I'm considering attempting to remove the antenna sticker from my old battery, stick it onto my new third-party battery, and connect the leads to it's pads. Will update if it goes well. Or if it doesn't.
---------- Post added at 12:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 PM ----------
Welp, that didn't work.
The nfc sticker on the stock battery seems to fall apart if you try to peel it off.

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