FAQ
NFC stands for near field communication, and it uses radio waves to send data over small distances. chromastones + chromaportals use NFC chips to store information that you can immediately access by scanning with your smartphone. Most smartphones are capable of reading NFC chips without downloading any special apps.
Does my phone have NFC?
Other FAQ
Can my phone read NFC?
If you’ve bought a new phone in the last five years, it’s very likely it can read + write NFC tags. All iPhones released since 2018 have this functionality (models XR, XS, and 11 onwards). Most mid-range + flagship Android models have included an NFC reader since even earlier.
We’ve built a step-by-step guide for you to check if your device has NFC.
View GuideDo I have to download an app?
No! One benefit of NFC is that there is no need to download any application to read an NFC chip, as long as your phone has an NFC reader. All iPhones released since 2018 and the majority of Android phones have an NFC reader.
What can I do with an NFC chip?
Do I need to charge my chromastone or chromaportal?
Nope! We use passive NFC technology which does not require charging or batteries. Basically, the device is dormant until scanned by an NFC reader. It’s the reader, not the NFC, that provides the tiny amount of power needed to read the data stored on the chip.
You don’t have to worry about draining your phone’s battery either. The exchange uses extremely little power, much less than Bluetooth, wifi, or GPS. In fact, the power draw is so low that some phones can even scan NFC chips after they’ve run out of battery! This isn’t relevant for chromastones + chromaportals, since their whole point is to serve as shortcuts for actions on your smartphone, but it demonstrates how little energy is needed to make this technology work.
Can I reprogram my NFC chip to do something different?
It depends! All genuine chromastones are reprogrammable, as are most NFC chips that you might buy online. However, it’s possible to set up an NFC to prevent reprogramming or use password protection, so you may not be able to change the function of every NFC device. That can be a good thing: we use these features to secure the chromaportals we produce for event signage, totems, or digital gifts, ensuring they always do what they’re designed to.
Is NFC safe?
Yes. NFC is a kind of RFID technology, which has been in widespread use since the 1970s. It’s very likely you’ve already used it yourself: passports, city transit passes, anti-theft tags in stores, credit cards, and wireless cell payments all utilize RFID or NFC technology. NFC allows the exchange of data through radio waves at extremely short distances (within a few centimeters). There’s been a lot of research on its safety. We’ll be publishing a much more detailed page soon about the science and safety of NFC.