What an NFC Chip Is and How It Works, No Jargon

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It sounds technical, but the concept is simple: it's the same technology you already use to pay with your phone or a contactless card in a store.

A chip, not an image

Unlike a QR code, which is an image that a phone's camera has to read, an NFC chip is a tiny physical component built into the card, sticker or stand. There's nothing to photograph or scan.

How it works in practice

Just bring your phone close to the product — you don't even need to touch it, a few centimeters is enough — and the phone detects the chip and automatically opens the configured destination: a website, an Instagram profile, a WhatsApp chat.

Do I need an app to use it?

No. NFC functionality is built into the operating system of practically every modern phone (Android and iPhone); it just needs to be turned on, which is usually the case by default.

Why more and more businesses use it

It's faster than a QR code (no need to open the camera or focus), harder to fake (it's not an image that can be covered with a sticker), and requires no app on the customer's end.