Develop Bugs

NFC Tags

So was anyone able to scan any NFC tags?

some stores has NFC payments enabled, some movie posters or stuff like that has NFC chip build in
in some countries there's NFC tickets for the bus/subway
so, it all really depends how popular or not it's in the are where you live
not even all USA cities are that high tech

I've heard that NYC taxis and some pharmacies and such there support NFC. But I've also heard that the phone's software isn't really setup to use the NFC yet. I know that Sprint and the Google Nexus S 4G have Google Wallet hooked up to their NFC.
I don't know that TMO has a deal with Google Wallet. Are they part of that Isis group?

I've successfully scanned my SFO Clipper card which uses NFC. Pretty cool.

The venture is now developing provisioning systems that will allow existing payments services to be added to any NFC phone owned by a subscriber to any of the Isis founder's mobile networks, says Johnson — and Isis already has a number of banks ready and willing to pay for this service. "When we launch next year we will launch with multiple banks," he explained.
http://www.nfcworld.com/2011/05/24/37652/isis-sets-out-new-nfc-strategy/

I've been testing krohnjw's NFC Task Launcher app. I must say it's pretty damn awesome! It lets you set tags up for doing different tasks. I'll make a video sometime, he has some on his development page. You can set a tag to enable wifi, for example. One idea I had was to use his app to set your phone to toggle bluetooth when you place the phone in your car dock for example. Very neat stuff!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jwsoft.nfcactionlauncher

mziol said:
I've been testing krohnjw's NFC Task Launcher app. I must say it's pretty damn awesome! It lets you set tags up for doing different tasks. I'll make a video sometime, he has some on his development page. You can set a tag to enable wifi, for example. One idea I had was to use his app to set your phone to toggle bluetooth when you place the phone in your car dock for example. Very neat stuff!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980741
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.jwsoft.nfcactionlauncher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool stuff, time to buy some NFC tags.

http://www.tagstand.com/
http://www.buynfctags.com/
http://www.tagage.net/
I'm still looking for the best price on cheap tags to mess around with. I've also read there is some confusion around the net as to which tags will work with our phones/phones in general.

NFC Tags, what works, what does not
I've got two TMO SGS2s, so I did some NFC testing the other night. Here is what I found:
1) Creating a text tag works. Reading it from another phone works. But when read, it put the text into a new post in the Google+ app. Not really what I imagined wanting to do with an NFC tag that I read.
2) Sharing Google maps locations over NFC seems to work. But again when reading the tag, the text and URL is opened up as text in a new Google+ posting.
3) Web page URLs. I used Dolphin HD to share a few web pages. Reading the tag properly brought up the website. This one feature seems to be more or less fully operational.
4) Sharing contacts over NFC did not appear to work at all. It is an option when creating a new tag in the Tags app, but we couldn't get it to work for any type of contact.

Are you able to read arbitrary RFID tags using the T-Mobile Galaxy S 2? I've tried on several different types of RFID tags with no success (NFC was indeed enabled when I tried):
-Passport
-Building entry badge
-DC Metro SmarTrip card
I've tried using the included "Tags" application, in addition to "NFC Reader" and "NFC TagInfo".
Oddly enough, I stopped by my local T-Mobile store, and the representative told me that he was unable to transfer URLs or random tags (or contact information, as you stated) between two Galaxy S 2 devices, or between a T-Mobile Galaxy S 2 and an HTC Amaze. (We then played around with the devices a bit in an attempt to get something working, but to no avail.)
Splaktar said:
I've got two TMO SGS2s, so I did some NFC testing the other night. Here is what I found:
1) Creating a text tag works. Reading it from another phone works. But when read, it put the text into a new post in the Google+ app. Not really what I imagined wanting to do with an NFC tag that I read.
2) Sharing Google maps locations over NFC seems to work. But again when reading the tag, the text and URL is opened up as text in a new Google+ posting.
3) Web page URLs. I used Dolphin HD to share a few web pages. Reading the tag properly brought up the website. This one feature seems to be more or less fully operational.
4) Sharing contacts over NFC did not appear to work at all. It is an option when creating a new tag in the Tags app, but we couldn't get it to work for any type of contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I haven't tried reading any physical tags. Only between 2 different NFC enabled phones.

I did a whole bunch of research with the Nexus S NFC reader - and so far as I can tell, the SGSIIX has the same capabilities.
I have a bunch of blank 1K, 4K and Ultralite MiFARE tags that are AWESOME to play with. Even just putting your contact card on there, or URLs (you can do anything with a URL) is tons of fun to play with. They don't read proprietary NFC implementations without special software - only tags encoded with an NDEF structure will be automagically picked up by Android.
The good stuff is coming up - I'm 98% sure that Zoompass is coming out with an Android app compatible with the QuickPay/Interact-Flash readers. Next year, pay for small crap with your phone!

Tasker/Locale NFC Plugin

I just purchased this plugin to use with Tasker:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/....&purchaseButton=9yzEcX63VIYisA_oRMh13HqYUXs=
Seems to work ok, but ever time it scans my NFC tag it pops up a dialogue asking if I want to "Activate NFC condition" or "New tag collected". I just want it to kick off the action in Tasker without any dialogue. Anyone have experience with this plugin, or should I use something else?

Nevermind... got it working with NFC ReTAG FREE. Works great! Don't mess with the app I posted a link to above, it's a pain to use.

Glad you like NFC ReTag ;-)
For any questions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1477138

kimboinatl said:
I just purchased this plugin to use with Tasker:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/....&purchaseButton=9yzEcX63VIYisA_oRMh13HqYUXs=
Seems to work ok, but ever time it scans my NFC tag it pops up a dialogue asking if I want to "Activate NFC condition" or "New tag collected". I just want it to kick off the action in Tasker without any dialogue. Anyone have experience with this plugin, or should I use something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi kimboinatl!
I'm the developer of the NFC plugin for Locale. The reason why this chooser pops-up is because there are multiple apps on your phone that can handle the NFC-tag that was scanned.
This can be solved by either disabling the other apps that the NFC scan action can choose from or you can create a unique tag following this guide.
I'm glad that you have been able to solve your needs with NFC ReTAG.
May I ask what it is that makes it a pain to use ? The feedback is greatly appreciated so that I might make it more pain free for other users.
Kind Regards
m3llon

m3llon said:
Hi kimboinatl!
I'm the developer of the NFC plugin for Locale. The reason why this chooser pops-up is because there are multiple apps on your phone that can handle the NFC-tag that was scanned.
This can be solved by either disabling the other apps that the NFC scan action can choose from or you can create a unique tag following this guide.
I'm glad that you have been able to solve your needs with NFC ReTAG.
May I ask what it is that makes it a pain to use ? The feedback is greatly appreciated so that I might make it more pain free for other users.
Kind Regards
m3llon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey m3llon,
I think the the problem was getting rid of the popup. Typically when there are multiple apps that can be launched from an action my phone gives me the option to select a default, but I couldn't do it in this case. I spent a while trying to figure out how to disable the popup, or if there was another app that was causing this, and had no luck, so I ended up uninstalling it. If there was a way to specify what the default action was I probably would have kept the plugin. Sorry if my feedback sounded a bit harsh, I was just grumpy after not being able to get it to work the way I wanted it to. Thanks for checking in with me about it, I appreciate the work you have put into it.

kimboinatl said:
Hey m3llon,
I think the the problem was getting rid of the popup. Typically when there are multiple apps that can be launched from an action my phone gives me the option to select a default, but I couldn't do it in this case. I spent a while trying to figure out how to disable the popup, or if there was another app that was causing this, and had no luck, so I ended up uninstalling it. If there was a way to specify what the default action was I probably would have kept the plugin. Sorry if my feedback sounded a bit harsh, I was just grumpy after not being able to get it to work the way I wanted it to. Thanks for checking in with me about it, I appreciate the work you have put into it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks for explaining what the neusens was. That have been fixed in the last update together with the workarounds that's linked in the app description.
Good luck with your future NFC endeavours
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Just in case anyone else has issues with the popup, I find that using non-formatted tags doesn't produce a popup. Once the tag is formatted, or if you buy them preformatted, it doesn't look like it can be UNformatted though (wiped, yes.. but not unformatted)
When I first got my GS3 and started scanning everything possible, I found that some tags would produce the popup discussed (despite having no other nfc apps installed), and others wouldn't.. I ended up realising that unformatted tags don't produce the popup.
I ended up using the Tasker/Locale NFC Plugin as I didn't want something else running all the time when I had Tasker for that - and since the plugin uses the serial number (or what I assume is a serial number - it's different on each tag) rather than what's written on the tag itself, there's no need to format it - Same would apply with NFC ReTAG.
So as long as any tags are unformatted, you should be good to go.

So I bought the plugin and wrote the bad://access/developer URL to one of my tags. I scan it and Locale reacts accordingly.
But then what? Locale is in that situation forever.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Trinition said:
So I bought the plugin and wrote the bad://access/developer URL to one of my tags. I scan it and Locale reacts accordingly.
But then what? Locale is in that situation forever.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you will have to scan another tag to exit the situation.

For using Tasker with NFC Tags I like Tasker URL Launcher the best. Once installed you simply write a short URL that ends with the name of your Tasker Task to a tag then anytime you tap that tag it intiates that Tasker Task.
I did at one time have issues with those pop-ups (new tag collected) and through much searching found that I needed to disable a system app on my Galaxy S3 called "Tags". It wasn't there on ICS, but was after the update to Jelly Bean so not sure if it's something Android added into JB and not sure why they would or what it's purpose is, but disabling it fixed the annoying pop-up issue and has had no affect on reading/writing tags with various apps.

Kaibosh said:
Just in case anyone else has issues with the popup, I find that using non-formatted tags doesn't produce a popup. Once the tag is formatted, or if you buy them preformatted, it doesn't look like it can be UNformatted though (wiped, yes.. but not unformatted)
So as long as any tags are unformatted, you should be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can be unformatted. Using NFC TagWriter by NXP (which I LOVE), you choose Tools > Clean. This resets the tag to factory default (unformatted). NXP manufactures the Xperia tags, they make nice products.

dragon_76 said:
They can be unformatted. Using NFC TagWriter by NXP (which I LOVE), you choose Tools > Clean. This resets the tag to factory default (unformatted). NXP manufactures the Xperia tags, they make nice products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that.. That definitely wasn't the case when I wrote the post as I'd tried with numerous apps (including NFC Tagwriter, which is also my go to app for writing) and using the Clear option left the tag wiped, but did not leave it in the same state as prior to formatting.
Also, the developer of the app implemented a direct url that could be written to the tags so that only this app is launched - so the need for unformatted tags (when using this app at least) is somewhat moot.

I have this app and I must say it makes building tasks extremely tedious.
If you want to scan the same tag twice, you have to put an action in your task to disable the first task after the first one is done and then put a disable of the task you are running in the second task.
Also, both need to run as exit tasks.
It would have helped if the dev used some better logic and came up with exit tasks on repetitive scan
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX HD

dragon_76 said:
They can be unformatted. Using NFC TagWriter by NXP (which I LOVE), you choose Tools > Clean. This resets the tag to factory default (unformatted). NXP manufactures the Xperia tags, they make nice products.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also use the app StartNFC Expert to "unformat" a tag. It's a great simple app for formatting/unformatting and testing tags and seeing what types they are etc.

It's extremely disappointing they the developer has completely abandoned this plugin.

Solution
Hello !
A solution I found to avoid this popup :
- Scan a tag (popup appears)
- Long press on the unwanted app
- Choose disable
- Enjoy the plugin
You can also go to your apps list and search "tags" and disable it

Hopefully pent does something with NFC in the next version of Tasker so we can be rid of this unsupported plugin.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Hoping someone is still using this plugin and can answer my question...
Do I have to have two tags if I want an on / off tasks? For example, I have hue lights and I would like to turn off the bedroom light on / off with the same NFC tag but not sure if that is possible

No.. Just use the check box for repetitive scan

Ignore: Haha I accidentally posted in the wrong thread.

[Q] About NFC tags

Hi,
I am a proud new owner of galaxy nexus, and I want to buy an NFC tag.
Question is, is there any specific type of nfc tag that I have to buy for it to work with my phone?
P.S. This is my first post and I just registered a couple of minutes ago, that video was pretty hilarious.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=21447200
good day.

the thing is, I am in Australia and I would like to buy it from Australia for faster shipping, I read through that topic you sent me, and people mention about tagstand which is in US.
so in general, does any type of NFC work? or is there any specific criteria that I have to look on before I buy it?

You can also use old or not editable tags with an app called NFC ReTag. I use my student card for silent-settings
The tags have a certain amount of memory, but I can't tell you how much you need. Stuff like "set Wifi on, GPS off, vibrate only" won't need much so any tag will be fine.

I was able to write and read all of the tag types included in the starter kit from tagstand using "NFC Task Launcher". So if you note the tag types included in the kit and find them elsewhere, you should be good to go. One thing to note is the amount of storage each one provides. The smaller ones won't hold complex multi-step operations.
One other caveat is that my phone is the Google Play US GSM version running 4.0.4. I believe older versions of the OS may have had problems with some tags. Good luck!

Regarding tag size -- if you have both NFC Task Launcher and Tasker, you can create a Tasker task of any size/complexity, and use NFC Task Launcher to launch it. The benefit of this is you can use the smallest size tag with an arbitrary sized task. The drawback is it will only work on your phone, another person's phone won't be able to utilize it unless he too has the Tasker task setup.

Use Android Phone as NFC Tag?

Hello there,
is it possible to use my HTC One X as an NFC Tag?
My goal is to scan a normal NFC Tag (1k) with my phone and store the informations. And then I'll provide this informations with my phone, so an other NFC Reader can read the informations stored on my phone.
Greetz

It is possible as the NXP chip most likely used by the HTC (and known to be in Nexus S/galaxy) can be put into card emulation mode but the current kernel does not support it. There has been at least one user that has gotten it to work on the Nexus S.

Nightskill said:
Hello there,
is it possible to use my HTC One X as an NFC Tag?
My goal is to scan a normal NFC Tag (1k) with my phone and store the informations. And then I'll provide this informations with my phone, so an other NFC Reader can read the informations stored on my phone.
Greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi i believe NFC ReTag will do the trick , or at Least NFC TagReader , can also be use as ask … but that will depend on what you will store in … as you didn’t say it ican’r help you more at this stage.
hope that help

Nightskill said:
Hello there,
is it possible to use my HTC One X as an NFC Tag?
My goal is to scan a normal NFC Tag (1k) with my phone and store the informations. And then I'll provide this informations with my phone, so an other NFC Reader can read the informations stored on my phone.
Greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd really like to do the same thing.. but haven't had any success in finding a way to do that. I would personally love to scan my work badge and use my phone instead of my badge which I commonly leave at home. It would also be great for hotels where I commonly lose my hotel key and could instead use my phone.
Any advice on these being a possibility. Any additional information I need to provide. I personally have the HTC EVO 4G LTE and my wife has the Nexus S 4G that I could use.

card emulation
try NFClassic.apk its in the android market, i cannot confirm it works but it appears to and i will test it tomorrow, it recognises my work card it picks up 2 tags, one will be door access and the other is canteen credit, (the app doesnt tell you this, but i know there 2 parts to the card, as i recently cancelled a card then found it, and can no longer access doors with it, but can still use it in the canteen) anyway the app reads the card and asks if you want to save the info, save it, the you will see it under saved tags click the tag, and click share tag, it then appears to emulate the tag as a card so it can be read by a nfc card reader, but i dont have a reader to confirm this, but i will try it tomorrow night at work to see if the doors accept it, ill let you know my results
and if anyone else know of any apps that can definatley emulate cards on galaxy s 3 let me know ! the more software i can try at work the more likely ill find one that works, i only got my s3 yesterday and have been of work so havnt tested any app, but NFClassic is the only one that appears to emulate my card.
note the app cannot write cards, only has options to write contact to card but when tried it force closes. i would definatly like to be able to write to card if at all possible ( free lunch copy card when it has credit , when run out of credit, re-write info = credit again its gotta be possible somehow ! )

okz19 said:
try NFClassic.apk its in the android market, i cannot confirm it works but it appears to and i will test it tomorrow, it recognises my work card it picks up 2 tags, one will be door access and the other is canteen credit, (the app doesnt tell you this, but i know there 2 parts to the card, as i recently cancelled a card then found it, and can no longer access doors with it, but can still use it in the canteen) anyway the app reads the card and asks if you want to save the info, save it, the you will see it under saved tags click the tag, and click share tag, it then appears to emulate the tag as a card so it can be read by a nfc card reader, but i dont have a reader to confirm this, but i will try it tomorrow night at work to see if the doors accept it, ill let you know my results
and if anyone else know of any apps that can definatley emulate cards on galaxy s 3 let me know ! the more software i can try at work the more likely ill find one that works, i only got my s3 yesterday and have been of work so havnt tested any app, but NFClassic is the only one that appears to emulate my card.
note the app cannot write cards, only has options to write contact to card but when tried it force closes. i would definatly like to be able to write to card if at all possible ( free lunch copy card when it has credit , when run out of credit, re-write info = credit again its gotta be possible somehow ! )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try, but it's probably not going to work.

Bardamuz said:
Hi i believe NFC ReTag will do the trick , or at Least NFC TagReader , can also be use as ask … but that will depend on what you will store in … as you didn’t say it ican’r help you more at this stage.
hope that help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NFC ReTag can´t do that ... but a lot of other cool stuff

I tried nfclassic and that didn't work I'm also looking for NFC card emulation

I'm not sure about other phones but Evo4GLTE's have Android beam that should do what is wanted

This didn't even occur to me til I saw this thread. I will be trying with my work badge since I occasionally forget mine as well...
I am still deciding between getting the S3 and the EVO 4G LTE. Leaning towards evo... but haven't played with the s3 yet.

I don't have your HTC, although there's documented info for the nexus s where devs were successful in emulating mifare most of the code is still on dev android. Its not full reigns of emulation but depending on your level of tech you can do some pretty cool stuff. I don't know how far this has gone but I remember people getting some functionality on new galaxy. Check out the link.
http://techshek4u.blogspot.com/2012/01/applying-card-emulation-patch-to_03.html

How does google wallet do it? Doesn't that emulate a secure card?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Zanith said:
How does google wallet do it? Doesn't that emulate a secure card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same thing!
The most "advanced" operations that i was able to do with the Galaxy Nexus were saving actions with differents cards. But that's all.
By the way, i use NFC ReTag to achieve it.

What I was just referring to was emulation how I perceived the op was looking for. Example you use a card at work to open a door and wanted to emulate that so you could use your phone instead. However with gwallet or say paywave then you'd need to have the secure key which obviously wouldn't just be given out otherwise you would be able to emulate anyone's card. Hence the secure element. Then it would be ridiculously insecure. Ex. If I took a friends paywave and was able to emulate it then now I in theory just stole their credit card . It's also why gwallet won't work without a secure element like on my sgs2.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium

WOW interesting topic
Nizda1 said:
I don't have your HTC, although there's documented info for the nexus s where devs were successful in emulating mifare most of the code is still on dev android. Its not full reigns of emulation but depending on your level of tech you can do some pretty cool stuff. I don't know how far this has gone but I remember people getting some functionality on new galaxy. Check out the link.
http://techshek4u.blogspot.com/2012/01/applying-card-emulation-patch-to_03.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone trythis
ive seen the video after flashing and kinda dissapointed
bcos they cannot prove that nexus s can be the nfc tag anyway they donk have the reader too to test it

Hmmm...
Hey guys.. i went searching in the marketplace for an app that does just that (emulate a RFID)...
And... I FOUND ONE!It's called NFC Classic Tag Reader
It was able to read my cards and apparently emulate it but i have no idea if it works cause my door does not detect it... and i have no other NFC devices...
I'm using a SHS-5120 door lock... and that only registers the serial no of the tags programmed and allows only those to enter...
Read on the comments that ICS users are not getting it to work but previous 2.3.3 user reviewed that it was working like a charm...
Oh and i'm using a S3... which of course is ICS...

I reckoned Google Wallet will store something into the mobile NFC chip. Make the phone like a RFID card or tag.
I also noticed some Korean telecom operators has their apps integrated on the Android phones which have the Membership card, Voucher, Credit card etc. functionality. That means the NFC enabled phone can be acted as RFID card or tag.
Is there anyone know where we can find the source code sample from Google development website we could look into this kind of project?

We have HID sensors on doors at work as well as a clocking in system and both use different cards so I'm going to have a go with them on Monday with my SGS3.

SimonCraddock said:
We have HID sensors on doors at work as well as a clocking in system and both use different cards so I'm going to have a go with them on Monday with my SGS3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any luck with doors?

Anyone any luck with being able to push/publish his phone as a card? Like for instance with doors?
We have Mifare Classic cards which open doors, reading the card isn't a problem, but being able to emulate your phone as a card has proven to be more difficult..
How does one turn his phone into 'beacon mode' (being able to receive the door's power boost and return card info) ?

This can't be this difficult...

So I have some tags, and what I want to do, is make a NFC Facebook check in for my bar. So when someone comes in, they can scan the NFC and it checks them in. Easy? lol
I can easily make the tag with NFC task launcher, however when I test it with a phone that does not have NFC task launcher, it doesn't work. But, it works fine with mine.
How can I write a tag that will allow users to scan a tag and check in?
I have tried several NFC writing apps, and none seem to be able to write a tag that can do this.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

that my dear friend will be the magic sauce. a lot of things are possible when you have custom programming but its just that custom.
I am pretty sure what needs to happen is FACEBOOK ITSELF needs to support this. IE they need to have facebook on the phone and that app needs to support "checking in" via NFC.
then you can make a universal tag that anyone can "tap" as long as they have the facebook app.
no matter what SOME custom program will need to be installed unless its built into the OS

i think i got it to work
what i did was take the URL from our facebook page and wrote that to the nfc tag.
my issue with that was the URL was https://www.facebook.com/stuff/mores_stuff
once i changed it to http:// it started working
also doing it that way works great because the page it brings you to not only allows you to check in, but you can also like the page, tag your friends, etc.
now i just need to have more people with different devices test it out.
then i'm going to make NFC drink specials and menus

That is an awesome idea! This is the kind of ingenuity that will hopefully prompt more manufacturers to implement nfc in their devices and more companies to use nfc in their establishments.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium

Cool idea and thanks for sharing the solution - good info to have when people ask!

Sweet, glad I found this. Though I still had problems through NFC Task Launcher, I completed using NFC Writer.
At the business I am creating these tags for, I do have some questions. (Hope this thread isnt too old to dig up)
I'd like to also write 4sq, google, twitter check ins. I saw this capable with NFC Task Launcher, but again anyone whom taps the tag without the app will be directed to the store. Or would it be better to write a tag for each?