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Find out how to activate NFC on a range of Android smartphone models
If you're asking how to enable NFC (Near Field Communication) on your Android phone, you're in the right place. NFC is essential for various features like contactless payments and Android Beam. This guide will show you how to turn on NFC on devices like Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola, and Huawei. Note: Even if your device isn't listed here, you can still follow the same basic steps by locating similarly named menu options.
Quick Instructions
- Open the Settings application on your device.
- Go to the connections menu (wording may differ depending on the phone).
- Select the NFC option from the menu.
- Switch NFC on.
Full Guide
Samsung Devices
Launch the Settings app. On Samsung devices, enabling NFC is essential for using features like Samsung Pay and Android Beam.
Go to Connections > NFC and contactless payments. If you can't find NFC and contactless payments, your device may not support NFC.
Enable NFC by toggling the switch. After turning on NFC, you can choose Contactless payments to set up either Google Pay or Samsung Pay (both require NFC).
- To disable NFC, simply revisit this menu and turn off the NFC toggle.
Google Pixel Devices
Open the Settings application. NFC is necessary for using Google Pay on your Google Pixel device.
Go to Connected devices > Connection preferences. If you can't find the NFC option, your phone may not support it.
Tap on NFC. In this menu, toggle Use NFC to enable it. You can also go to Contactless payments > Payment default to set your preferred default payment app.
- To disable NFC, return to this menu and turn off the NFC toggle.
OnePlus Devices
Open the Settings application. NFC is required for making contactless payments on your OnePlus, as well as for file transfers and device pairing.
Tap on Connection and Sharing. You may need to scroll down to locate this option.
Enable the NFC option. If you cannot find NFC in this menu, it means your device does not support NFC.
- If you wish to disable NFC, simply go back to this menu and switch the NFC toggle off.
Motorola Devices
Launch the Settings application. You will need NFC for contactless payments and Android Beam on your Motorola device.
Go to Connected devices > Connection preferences. If you don't find an NFC option here, your device may not support it.
Tap the NFC option to enable it. You can also select Android Beam to activate it directly from this screen.
- If you wish to disable NFC, simply return to this screen and toggle the NFC switch off again.
Huawei Devices
Open the Settings app. You'll need NFC for making contactless payments through Alipay, WeChat, or other similar apps.
- Note that Huawei smartphones do not run on Android but rather on HarmonyOS, Huawei's custom operating system, which is based on Android.
Head to More connections > NFC. If you can't find an NFC option, your device might not support it.
Enable NFC. Alternatively, swipe down from the top of your screen to access the quick settings, and tap the NFC shortcut to turn it on.
- If you wish to disable NFC, return to your Settings app and turn it off. You can also swipe down and toggle the NFC shortcut switch to disable it.
