If you have ever tried to use an NFC tag on an iPhone and found that it does not read when on the home screen, you are not alone. Many users have reported this issue, and it has been observed on various iOS devices, including SEs, 13s, 14s, pros, maxes, and others. In this blog post, we will explore the possible reasons why NFC tags may not read on the iPhone home screen and what you can do to overcome this issue.
Firstly, it is important to understand that NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that enables devices to communicate with each other when they are in close proximity. This technology is used in many applications, including contactless payments, ticketing, and access control, to name a few. In the case of the iPhone, NFC is used for Apple Pay and other applications that support NFC tags.
When it comes to NFC tags on the iPhone, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the iPhone has to be running on iOS 11 or later to support NFC tag reading. Secondly, the NFC tag must be placed near the top of the iPhone’s back or near the camera. Finally, the iPhone must be unlocked and the NFC reader must be activated for the tag to be read. Even though Apple says the latest iPhones are always automatically scanning for NFC tags, we’ve still encountered issues when on the home screen.
Now, regarding the issue of NFC tags not reading on the iPhone home screen, there are a few possible explanations. One explanation could be related to the way that the iPhone manages its resources. It is possible that when the iPhone is on the home screen, it is prioritizing its resources on other tasks, such as updating widgets or displaying notifications. This could cause the NFC reader to be temporarily disabled or not responsive to the tag.
Another possible explanation could be related to a software bug or glitch in the iPhone’s operating system. It is possible that the NFC reader is not functioning properly when the iPhone is on the home screen due to a software issue that needs to be resolved.
Fortunately, there are some workarounds that you can try to overcome this issue. Swiping all the way left to the Today View or swiping all the way right to the App Library seems to activate the NFC reader and make it more responsive to the tag. If you’ve already placed the tag near the camera when you are on the home screen, and it still isn’t ready, you may want to try swiping all the way in either direction to one of these screens. Alternatively, you can install a dedicated app like this NFC Reader: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nfc-reader/id1286968328?platform=iphone, which sidesteps the issue entirely.
In conclusion, NFC tags may not read on the iPhone home screen due to various reasons, including resource management and software glitches. However, there are workarounds that you can try to overcome this issue, such as swiping to the Today View or App Library screens or installing an NFC reader app. If you are still experiencing issues with NFC tag reading, you may want to contact Apple support or the manufacturer of the NFC tag for further assistance.