Turning on NFC on your iPhone: how it works (and why there is no switch)
There is no NFC toggle on the iPhone: from the XS it is always on. Per model what works, where to find the tag reader on iPhone 7 to X, and the 6 causes when contactless payment or tag scanning fails.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-09-08
On an Android phone you turn NFC on in the settings. On an iPhone you look for that switch in vain: Apple has no on/off toggle for NFC. On every iPhone from the XS and XR (2018) onwards NFC is always on, even in standby, and on older models you use a button in Control Centre. Below, per model, what your iPhone can do with NFC, how to use it and what to check when paying or scanning fails.
Per model: what can your iPhone do with NFC?
| Model | Apple Pay | Read NFC tags | How |
|---|
| iPhone 6, 6s, SE (2016) | Yes | No | Payments via Wallet only |
| iPhone 7, 8, X | Yes | Yes, manually | "NFC Tag Reader" button in Control Centre (iOS 14 or newer) |
| iPhone XS, XR and everything after (11 to 17, SE 2020/2022, 16e, Air) | Yes | Yes, automatically | Always on; hold the top edge to the tag |
The NFC antenna sits at the top of the back, around the camera. That's why at a payment terminal or tag you hold the top edge of the iPhone to the reader, not the middle.
iPhone XS and newer: NFC is already on
You don't need to enable anything. Hold the top of your iPhone near an NFC tag (a sticker, poster, business card or device) and a notification with the content appears at the top, for example a website. This is called background tag reading and works whenever the screen is on, including on the lock screen. It doesn't work while the camera is open, during Apple Pay, in airplane mode or when the phone is completely off.
iPhone 7, 8 and X: enabling the NFC Tag Reader
- Go to Settings > Control Centre.
- Scroll to "More Controls" and tap the plus next to NFC Tag Reader.
- Open Control Centre (swipe down from the top right, or up from the bottom edge on an iPhone with a Home button) and tap the NFC icon.
- Hold the top of the phone to the tag within 2 seconds.
Don't see the NFC Tag Reader in the list? Then your iPhone runs an iOS version older than 14, or you have an iPhone 6/6s/SE (2016), which only supports Apple Pay.
Setting up contactless payment with Apple Pay
- Open the Wallet app and tap the plus.
- Choose "Debit or Credit Card" and scan your card with the camera. Most banks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and the UK support Apple Pay; if in doubt, check your bank's app.
- Confirm in your banking app.
- To pay: double-click the side button (Face ID) or rest your finger on the Home button (Touch ID), look at the screen and hold the top edge to the terminal.
Tip: under Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay you can turn off "Double-Click Side Button" if you keep opening Wallet by accident, and choose a default card.
Transit, keys and access passes
On many transit networks you can tap in and out with Apple Pay just like with a bank card: top edge to the reader. Some hotel, office and car keys can live in Wallet; the issuer decides that, not Apple. Copying a physical transit card, door tag or access pass to your iPhone is not possible: those cards are encrypted.
Handy trick: automate with NFC tags
With an NFC sticker costing a few cents and the Shortcuts app, your iPhone can do something the moment you hold it against a spot: Shortcuts > Automation > plus > NFC > Scan. Examples: a tag on your nightstand sets the alarm and Do Not Disturb; a tag in the car starts navigation and Spotify; a tag by the door turns on Wi-Fi and plays your playlist. This works on iPhone XS and newer without scanning through Control Centre.
NFC not working? 6 things to check
- Wrong spot. Hold the top edge to the reader, not the middle of the phone, and keep it still for 1 to 2 seconds.
- Case. A metal case, a magnetic card holder on the back or a thick wallet case blocks the signal. Test without the case.
- Apple Pay not set up or card blocked. Check in Wallet that the card is active; after a new card you need to add it again.
- Outdated iOS. Background reading and the NFC Tag Reader need iOS 14 or newer; update under Settings > General > Software Update.
- The tag itself. Some tags (old MIFARE Classic tags) an iPhone won't read. Try another tag or a payment terminal to test your phone.
- Broken antenna. If Apple Pay suddenly stops working everywhere, especially after a drop or a screen replacement, the NFC antenna or its flex cable is damaged. That's a repair we do; see the .
Refurbished iPhone and NFC
Every refurbished iPhones we sell is tested on Apple Pay and NFC before it leaves; it's part of our inspection protocol. Want the cheapest iPhone that reads tags automatically? Pick an iPhone XR or newer; for long iOS support, rather an iPhone 12 or 13.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn NFC off on my iPhone?
No, there is no switch. If you don't want unwanted payments, keep Face ID/Touch ID on for Apple Pay (the default) and turn off "Double-Click Side Button". Without face or fingerprint recognition an iPhone never pays.
Where is the NFC chip in an iPhone?
At the top, on the back around the camera. So hold the top edge to the reader.
Does NFC work in Low Power Mode?
Yes. On iPhone XS and newer Apple Pay even works for a few hours after the battery runs out (Express Mode for transit and keys), provided that feature is enabled for your card.
Can I copy my transit card or access pass to my iPhone?
No. Those cards are protected against copying. For transit, use Apple Pay with your bank card or the transit operator's app.
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