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NFC on Microsoft Lumia 950
What is NFC?
Near-field communication or NFC (in English: Near-Field Communication) is a set of protocols, allowing two electronic devices (usually mobile devices, like your Microsoft Lumia 950) to communicate with each other a few centimeters away.
NFC has multiple applications, such as payment or file exchanges with your Microsoft Lumia 950. NFC technology is also widely used through social networks to share contact information, photos, videos or chats.
Also, devices with the NFC function such as your Microsoft Lumia 950 can be used as electronic identity cards and cards - keys. Overall, NFC provides a low speed connection that is easy to set up and can be used as a wireless connection with good reliability.
Many applications available on the Play Store allow you to use the NFC on your Microsoft Lumia 950. We recommend in particular NFC check to check that your Microsoft Lumia 950 has the NFC installed, and NFCTools, application allowing easy connection to an NFC terminal.
How to activate NFC on Microsoft Lumia 950
To activate the NFC on your Microsoft Lumia 950, the easiest way is to download a dedicated application from the Play Store. We advise you in particular NFCTools et Smart NFC.
How do I check that the NFC is activated on my Microsoft Lumia 950?
There too, many applications allow you to check that the NFC is available and correctly installed on your Microsoft Lumia 950. In particular, Check NFC Device et Tapkey's NFC Check are very useful for this kind of checks.
How do I secure my NFC?
Your Microsoft Lumia 950 normally knows how to secure NFC communications on its own. So you probably don't need to use an antivirus to take advantage of NFC. However, as a security measure, you may choose to use an antivirus to make sure you do not receive email messages. malware (virus) by NFC.
We recommend in particular antiviruses for your Microsoft Lumia 950 AVG Free Antivirus et Avira Antivirus.
How does NFC work on Microsoft Lumia 950
First of all, it is good to know that NFC is a derivative of RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification in English). This method of radio frequency identification is also known as electronic tags.
As the name suggests, the principle of operation of RFID is to connect a circuit containing a radio frequency part (the RF part of RFID) and an antenna loop together.
All of these are present in your Microsoft Lumia 950.
If the RFID tag is entered into a specific magnetic field, a signal of a given frequency will be emitted by the RFID: the reader will be able to obtain the information previously written on the RFID tag.
If necessary, the RFID reader can also rewrite the information contained on the RFID tag.
NFC is much the same thing, except that RFID readers and tags are included in NFC technology: an NFC device can be read and changed by another NFC device. The two devices can thus exchange information.
Note, each of the two devices can write information to the other device. To prevent malware, the latter possibility of reciprocal writing requires NFC-specific computer security measures.
Thus, your Microsoft Lumia 950 can adopt three NFC modes.
1. Passive mode
Your Microsoft Lumia 950 then becomes like an RFID tag, containing information that can be read.
The reader can obtain this information, and modify it if necessary..
2. Active mode
Your Microsoft Lumia 950 is then a reader, of an RFID card or of another NFC device. To do this, a magnetic wave is emitted around your Microsoft Lumia 950. The devices receiving this wave will in turn be able to send their information.
3. Bidirectional mode
In this mode, the two devices, including your Microsoft Lumia 950, are both readers and receivers of signals. They can therefore exchange and write data freely.
In all cases, be careful to use an antivirus on each connected device to avoid any spread of malware.
NFC on Microsoft Lumia 950 for contactless payment
If the card is replaced by your phone, your NFC-compatible Microsoft Lumia 950 switches to contactless card mode. The cards replaced by NFC are in particular bank cards and access cards (badges). In the case of bank card replacement, most contactless mobile payments are made in shopping centers or transport.
Your Microsoft Lumia 950 or other related electronic device can be placed near the reader and the transaction can be completed by entering your PIN code. This is very practical to save time and avoid having to walk around with too many cards in your pocket.
Note that NFC replicable bank cards include Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Mi Pay, Alipay and Huawei Wallet.
Technically, it is essential that the contactless reader is properly connected. Also, even if the contactless reader is not used for reading, it can be used to credit your Microsoft Lumia 950. Note that some NFC receivers can work without power, but your Microsoft Lumia 950 cannot. card emulation applications, it is possible to collect data from third-party NFC-compatible devices.
You can then integrate this data, such as bank receipts or tickets, into your Microsoft Lumia 950. You will then be able to save all your receipts or tickets in the Cloud or on your personal computer.
NFC on Microsoft Lumia 950 to simulate a card
As we have seen, your Microsoft Lumia 950 can simulate a payment card via NFC. But all kinds of cards can be replicated, like access badges or RFID card readers. Many applications on the Play Store allow you to implement these solutions on your Microsoft Lumia 950. These applications concern professionals (delivery men, manufacturers, etc.) and individuals (magnetic keys for the home, access cards, etc.).
NFC on Microsoft Lumia 950 for file transfer
NFC may not be not the best method to transfer files from one device to another, due to its low speed. However, this can be very useful in many situations, such as transferring authentication data or emulated card statements with your Microsoft Lumia 950.
With this in mind, many applications are available to you, such as NFC File Transfer / sharing ou NFC Transfer.
Depending on the version of the operating system installed on your Microsoft Lumia 950, you may already have a native application installed, allowing NFC transfers. Be careful to check that the other device is compatible with your default NFC software. If not, feel free to install multiple NFC apps, as mentioned earlier, until it works.
NFC versus other similar technologies
Many other technologies similar to NFC can be used on your Microsoft Lumia 950. We are thinking in particular of the following technologies.
- Bluetooth
- RFID
- QR code
- Wi-Fi
- 4 / 5G with your Microsoft Lumia 950
NFC technology offers extremely high security, performance advantages in short distance communications and, most importantly, lower cost.
In many cases, NFC is therefore preferred on your Microsoft Lumia 950 compared to the technologies mentioned previously. Also, since its introduction in 2003, the NFC has received the attention and support of many companies, such as Google, Apple or Samsung. Whether it is to activate shared bikes or exchange business cards, the NFC has more and more applications!
We hope to have brought you via this article all the elements concerning the NFC on your Microsoft Lumia 950.
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