Write Your First NFC Tag
Ready to create your first NFC tag? This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the process of writing data to a blank NFC tag using your iPhone. It's easier than you think!
What You Can Write
- Text Messages: Simple text notes, instructions, or messages
- Website URLs: Links to websites, social media, or online content
- WiFi Credentials: Network name and password for easy sharing
- Contact Cards: Your business card or personal contact info
- And More: Email, SMS, phone numbers, locations, and custom data
What You'll Need
Step-by-Step Guide
Download and Open NFC Taggy Tools
Download NFC Taggy Tools from the App Store if you haven't already. Launch the app on your iPhone.
Make sure your iPhone supports NFC writing. All iPhones from iPhone 7 onwards support NFC.
Tap "Write Tag" Button
From the home screen of the app, tap the "Write Tag" button. This will take you to the data type selection screen.
Choose Your Data Type
Select what type of data you want to write to the tag. For your first tag, we recommend starting with "Text" or "URL" as they're the simplest.
Example:
Choose "Text" to write a simple message like "Welcome to my office!" or "URL" to write a website link like "https://yourwebsite.com"
Enter Your Data
Fill in the required information for your chosen data type. For text, simply type your message. For URLs, enter the complete web address including "https://".
Double-check your data before writing - while you can overwrite tags, it's best to get it right the first time.
Tap "Write to NFC Tag"
Once you've entered your data, tap the "Write to NFC Tag" button at the bottom of the screen. The app will prepare to write the data.
Position Your iPhone Near the Tag
Hold the top edge of your iPhone (where the NFC antenna is located) close to the blank NFC tag. Keep it steady and don't move it until you see the success message.
The writing process usually takes 1-2 seconds. Your iPhone may vibrate when the write is complete.
Verify the Success Message
The app will show a success message when the data has been written successfully. You'll see a confirmation with details about what was written.
Test Your Tag
Tap the tag again with your iPhone to read it and verify the data was written correctly. You can also test it with another NFC-enabled device.
Congratulations! You've just created your first NFC tag! 🎉
Choosing the Right NFC Tag
NTAG213
The most common and affordable NFC tag type. Perfect for beginners and most use cases.
Memory:
144 bytes
Best For:
URLs, Text, Small Data
NTAG215
Medium capacity tag with more storage. Great for contact cards and WiFi credentials.
Memory:
504 bytes
Best For:
Contact Cards, WiFi
NTAG216
Largest capacity in the NTAG family. Ideal for complex data or multiple records.
Memory:
888 bytes
Best For:
Complex Data, Multiple Records
Troubleshooting
Write failed or "Tag not writable" error
The tag might be locked or already written with locked data. Try a different blank tag. Also ensure you're holding your phone steady during the write process.
iPhone not detecting the tag
Make sure you're using the top edge of your iPhone (where the NFC antenna is). Remove thick phone cases. Try moving your phone slowly to find the optimal position.
Data written but doesn't work when scanned
For URLs, make sure you included "https://" at the beginning. For WiFi, verify the network name and password are correct. Try reading the tag with the app to see what was actually written.
Tag memory full error
Your data is too large for the tag type. Try using a larger tag (NTAG215 or NTAG216) or reduce the amount of data you're writing.
Write process is very slow
Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version. Close other apps. Keep your phone completely still during writing - any movement can slow down or interrupt the process.
Best Practices & Tips
Start with simple data types (Text or URL) for your first few tags to get comfortable with the process
Always test your tags immediately after writing to ensure they work correctly
Keep your phone steady and don't move it during the write process - movement can cause errors
Use high-quality NFC tags from reputable brands for better reliability
Label your tags after writing so you know what data each one contains
Consider password-protecting important tags to prevent unauthorized changes
You can overwrite most tags multiple times, so don't worry about making mistakes
Store blank tags in a safe place away from magnets and metal objects