- Download the NFC Tools App: Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for “NFC Tools” by wakdev. It has an orange icon. Download and install the free version.
- Open NFC Tools & Select “Write”: Launch the app. You’ll see several tabs at the top: Read, Write, and Other. Tap the “Write” tab.
- Tap “Add a Record” > Select “URL/URI”: On the Write screen, tap the “Add a record” button. This is where you choose what type of data to write to your keychain. From the list of record types, tap “URL / URI”. This option lets you program a web link onto the keychain.
- Enter Your URL: Type or paste the full URL you’d like your keychain to link to. This could be your LinkedIn profile (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname), a personal website, a faculty bio page, or any other link. Make sure the URL starts with https://. Tap OK when done.
- Tap “Write” and Hold Your Keychain to Your Phone: Tap the “Write / XX Bytes” button at the bottom of the screen. When prompted, hold your NFC keychain against the back of your phone (near the top on most phones). Keep it steady for 1–2 seconds until you see a success confirmation.
- Test It: Hold the keychain to the back of your phone again (without the app open). Your phone should automatically prompt you to open the URL. If it works — you’re all set!
Troubleshooting:
- “NFC not available”
- Make sure NFC is enabled in your phone’s settings. On iPhone, NFC reads automatically (iPhone 7+). On Android, go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and toggle it on.
- Phone doesn’t detect the keychain
- Try moving the keychain slowly around the back of your phone. The NFC reader is usually near the top center. Remove any thick phone case if needed.
- “Write failed”
- Make sure the keychain is held steady and flat against the phone for the full write duration. Try again if interrupted.
- URL doesn’t open when tapping
- Ensure the URL you entered is valid and includes https:// at the beginning.
Where is my phone’s NFC reader? On most iPhones, it’s at the very top of the back. On most Android phones, it’s in the upper-center of the back. Hold the keychain flat against that area for best results.