Step by Step Directions
Here is step-by-step guide on how to program an NFC tag or NFC business card. First off, the NFC tag has to be programmable and have a suitable memory limit. Tap Tag holds 144 Bytes of information in the chip and the info is stored using no power whatsoever, and can be constantly overwritten if the user wishes to change its contents.
First, here are the most common third-party links added to our Tap Tags:
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A Custom Landing Page
This is best used to consoldate multiple links under one single link. Very personalizable, free to use, countless links. Here are two examples:
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Downloadable Contact VCard
This option opens up the native contact card within the phone ready to save. If you are on a phone now, click this to see:
https://vcard.link/card/DIGE.vcf
Learn how to make this special VCard link here: Make VCard
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An Individual Link
You can add just your instagram, or just your Facebook, or Just your Tik Tok, or any website link.. You get the idea. Good news is Tap Tag is rewritable so you can reprogram a new link infinite times using the steps below.
Tap Tag User Guide
Here's how to program Tap Tag in 7 easy steps, taking about 45 seconds total. NFC Tools is a free app on the Apple and Android App store available to all.
Our first step is to download free "NFC Tools" and open it. Easy peasy, next step.
After opening the app you will be greeted with this home page. Click "Write" to move on to the next step.
Here, you will see a page with three options. Click the first option "Add A Record" to move on to step four.
This step greets you with many options to code into your Tap Tag. The recommended option is "Custom URL/URI." Move on to next step.
*Do not use the "Contact" option in NFC tools, it will not work on most phones*
Side Note: Not all options work on all phones. Custom URL/URI is the only option we recommend as we know it will always work.
After clicking "Custom URL/URI" the app will bring you to this simple page. Just copy/paste your web link WITH the https:// if the link has one. Click "OK" in top right corner when you are done. Be careful not to accidentally add a space before or after the link when copy/pasting.
Side Note: On this page you can add any link, which is what the entire internet runs on. Here's some examples...
Any website, Instagram, Link Tree, SoundCloud, Youtube video/channel, Venmo, PayPal, Photo/album link, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Pinterest, restaurant menu, the list goes on!
After clicking "OK" you will be brought back to this page, this time your Custom URL will be added. You will also notice the app tells you the amount of space your link takes up, in this case 16 Bytes.
*Ensure that there is only one item here, if there are 2+ items you will have an error scanning NFC tag*
Click "Write" to be prompted with an NFC "Ready to Scan" message
Now your smartphone is looking for an NFC tag to encode. For iPhone, hold the top-center of your phone within 1 inch of Tap Tag while this message is up (as seen in picture).
For android, place backside-middle of phone onto Tap Tag. Your smartphone will make a sound and/or vibrate when your NFC tag is officially encoded, which takes less than one second.
This check mark symbolizes that your NFC chip is programmed! That's it! You did it! You can test Tap Tag by holding your smartphone near it. Your phone should automatically receive the information you encoded via a drop down notification. You do not need an app to read Tap Tag, any compatible phone will read the tag within 3 inches as long as the screen is on. Smartphones often take 1-2 seconds to scan. Some phones may need to be unlocked first. Some android phones may need to have "NFC" turned on in settings.
If you choose to re-program another link into your tag simply repeat these steps to overwrite the previous link.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions if you encounter any issues along the way.
Where to place your Original Tap Tag NFC chip?
Smartphones automatically read tags when the screen is switched on. Do not put your tag on your phone near the NFC-reading area, or else your phone will read the tag every time you open your phone.
For iPhones: It is best to stick your tag to the middle or bottom on the back of your phone. The NFC reader is located at the center-top-rear of your iPhone so it is ideal to keep your NFC tag away from there when sticking.
For Android: Most androids have the NFC reader in the middle-back of phone. Stick your NFC tag to either the top or bottom. Some android phones vary so it is best to test this out before you peel off the adhesive of tag.
Not a text-kinda person? We got you covered with video
Here is a video we made of the process if you prefer to see some Tap Tag uses and how to program an NFC chip live. We talk you through each step while showing you the power of Tap Tag. Enjoy!
Here is another video on how to make a downloadable Contact Card
This video explains how to scan an NFC tag and have it pull up the contact card native to the phone. You can also add this feature to your existing digital business card as an option next to all of your other links. Either way, learning how to make a vcard or VCF file is always useful information.
