Currently, Android phones have a number of improvements that make the user’s life much easier. One of them is called NFC, which stands for Near Field Communication.
This is a high-frequency wireless technology used to send data from one device to another. Its radius of action is very low, therefore, to be able to use it, the person must be 10 or 15 centimeters away from the device with which he/she wants to communicate.
NFC technology works in two modes:
- Active mode: with this, both NFC-enabled terminals generate an electromagnetic field and exchange data.
- Passive mode: only one device is active and the other uses this field to exchange information.
What is the purpose of NFC technology in Android phones?
As we mentioned, the NFC button on your Android phone is used to exchange information. However, this technology is already being used for many more things. Here are some examples:
- Identification: it can be used for access to places where identification is required. In some countries around the world, for example, it is used to identify you on your transport pass and for access to certain places.
- Data exchange: Google is the main player in this use, because, by combining RFID tags, you can indicate your location, receive information about an event. Of course, you can also transmit data via NFC.
- Instant synchronization of devices: some manufacturers are also using this technology to synchronize their different devices. For example, when you bring your cell phone close to a speaker, you can synchronize it without having to configure Bluetooth.
- Payment with the cell phone: this is one of the most important functions of NFC. Paying with a cell phone to which your card is linked is much better than physically taking it out of your wallet.
How to activate NFC on your mobile?
On some Android devices you can find the option by simply swiping down on your home screen. If this is the case, just tap the icon with the NFC symbol to enable or disable it.
However, there is also the possibility to do so from the notifications bar, and top right tap on the gear icon to enter Settings. Then, in the Wireless & Networks section, click on the More category and the NFC option should appear there. Finally, you just need to enable or disable it.
What is Android?
Android is a mobile operating system designed for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Moreover, it is a system developed by Google and based on Linux kernel and other open source software, which aims to facilitate the use of a large number of applications in a simple way.
It was originally developed by Android Inc., which was later bought by Google in 2005, and two years later, in 2007, it was introduced as part of the development of open standards in mobile devices. Its main Android source code is commonly known as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and stands out as the most widely used mobile operating system in the world.