NFC Wallet
NFC Wallet reads NFC cards, key fobs and tags with your phone and keeps a record of each one in a wallet on your device. For simple tags that hold NDEF data, such as NFC stickers, it can write a copy of that data onto a blank tag.
NFC (near-field communication) is the short-range radio that contactless cards, transit passes and NFC stickers use. NDEF is the standard format for storing things like a web link, some text or contact details on an NFC tag.
Who it is for
- People with a pile of NFC tags and stickers who want to remember what each one is and what it holds.
- Makers and testers who want to see what is on a tag (its serial number, chip technologies and records) and make copies of their own NDEF tags.
- Anyone curious about the cards in their pocket, and why most of them cannot be copied.
What it does
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Scan and store | Reads a tag's serial number (UID), its technologies and its NDEF records, and saves it with a name, type, colour and notes. |
| Clone | Writes the saved NDEF data onto a blank, writable NFC tag. |
| Secure a card | Hides a card's serial number and data until you unlock it with your fingerprint, screen lock or app PIN. |
| App lock | Asks for authentication every time the app opens. |
| Raw data | Shows exactly what the phone reported for a tag. |
| Search and filters | Find cards by name, type or serial number, or filter by type. |
What it cannot do
Most cards cannot be cloned
NFC Wallet copies only NDEF data onto blank tags. It does not, and cannot, copy:
- Bank and payment cards. They use cryptography that cannot be duplicated.
- Encrypted access cards and fobs, such as most office and hotel key cards (for example MIFARE DESFire).
- A tag's serial number (UID). On standard tags it is fixed in the chip, so a copy always has a different serial number. A door or system that checks the serial number will not accept the copy.
These cards can still be saved in the wallet, for reference.
Only copy cards and tags that you own or are authorised to copy. Copying someone else's credential, or using a copy to get into somewhere you are not allowed, may be illegal.
Privacy
Every card is stored only on your phone. NFC Wallet has no internet permission, no account and nothing is uploaded anywhere.
Platforms
NFC Wallet runs on Android phones with NFC. It does not work on emulators, which have no NFC radio. The source code and the issue tracker are on GitHub.