Glossary · Barcodes & labeling
What is NFC?
Hold your phone to the device, a short vibration, done: NFC reads information by radio over a few centimeters – without a camera, without line of sight, even if the device is covered in dust or oil. Here you will learn how NFC works and when NFC tags are worth it instead of QR labels.
In brief
NFC (near-field communication) is a radio technology for transmitting data over a few centimeters at 13.56 MHz. An NFC tag is a small chip with an antenna and no battery of its own, powered by the reader – today usually a smartphone. In the warehouse and for work equipment, NFC is a robust alternative to printed labels.
NFC: definition
NFC is a special form of RFID. Contactless card payment, paying with your phone and employee badges at the door all use the same technology. For the warehouse, passive NFC tags are what matters: stickers, tags or screw-on tags with a tiny chip that stores an identifier.
When you hold a smartphone to the tag, the radio field powers the chip and it sends back its identifier. The app assigns the identifier to the device – just like a scanned code, only without a camera.
NFC, QR code or RFID?
| Criterion | QR code | NFC | UHF RFID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read with | Phone camera, scanner | Smartphone | Special reader |
| Distance | Centimeters to meters, with line of sight | A few centimeters | Up to several meters |
| Dirt, abrasion | Sensitive | Insensitive | Insensitive |
| Cost per label | Almost nothing | A few cents to a few euros | Tags plus expensive hardware |
| Ideal for | Shelves, items, inventory | Tools, machines, inspection objects | Large quantities, gate reading |
You will find the detailed comparison with costs and use cases in the guide Barcode, QR code, NFC or RFID.
NFC on metal: what matters
Metal disrupts the radio field. A normal NFC sticker on a metal rotary hammer housing or a fire extinguisher often cannot be read. For this there are on-metal tags with a ferrite layer that shields the field. They are a little thicker and more expensive, but work reliably.
- Plastic housing: normal NFC stickers are enough
- Metal surface: use an on-metal tag
- Harsh environment: epoxy or screw-on tags that withstand impacts and cleaning
- Placement: an easily accessible, flat spot that does not get rubbed during work
Example: fire extinguisher round in facility management
The QR labels on the fire extinguishers were scratched or covered after a year. The business switches to NFC:
- On-metal tags for 120 fire extinguishers
120 tags - Linking the tag to the device in the app
≈ 20 sec. per device - Round: tap, tick off the checklist
≈ 40 sec. per device - Record per fire extinguisher in the logbook
automatic
The round is now verifiable: anyone who “ticked off” a fire extinguisher had to be on site to read the tag. The labeling also survives cleaning.
4 typical mistakes with NFC tags
- Normal tags on metal. They are read poorly or not at all. Use on-metal tags.
- Attaching them invisibly. If you do not know where the tag is, you search the whole device with your phone. Mark it with a small symbol.
- NFC for everything. For shelves and small parts, a QR label is cheaper and just as good.
- Hoping for range. NFC only works at very close range. For capture in passing, you need UHF RFID.
NFC with Scanwiz
In the Scanwiz app for iOS and Android, you link NFC tags directly to work equipment. After that, a tap opens the device with holder, location, inspection dates and logbook – just like a scanned QR code. Both can be combined: QR labels for shelves and items, NFC for tools and inspection objects in harsh environments.
- Link NFC tags to work equipment in the app
- QR code and NFC can be combined
- Inspections and logbook right on the device
Frequently asked questions about NFC
What is NFC?
NFC (near-field communication) is a radio technology for transmitting data over a few centimeters at 13.56 MHz. NFC tags have no battery and are powered by the reader, usually a smartphone.
What is the difference between NFC and RFID?
NFC is a form of RFID with a very short range that any modern smartphone can read. UHF RFID reads over several meters and many tags at once, but needs its own readers.
Can every phone read NFC tags?
Almost all current Android smartphones and iPhones from the iPhone 7 onwards can read NFC tags, usually via an app.
Do NFC tags work on metal?
Normal tags only poorly. For metal surfaces there are on-metal tags with a ferrite layer that are read reliably.
Sources & methodology
- Wikipedia: Near-field communication. en.wikipedia.org, accessed 10 November 2026.
- NFC Forum: tag types and specifications.
- Example: model business, times as practical values from Scanwiz.
Updated November 2026 · Scanwiz editorial team
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