Set up near field communication (NFC)

  • Updated 

NFC allows your Fairphone to communicate wirelessly with nearby devices. When in close proximity to an NFC-enabled device, you can share data, make contactless payments, and more.

ⓘ These steps require Android 13 or later. If you are not sure which version your Fairphone is running, see How to check and update your software version.

How to turn NFC on or off

To turn NFC on or off using the Settings app:

  1. On your Fairphone, go to Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC.
  2. Tap Use NFC to toggle on or off.

To turn NFC on or off using Quick Settings:

  1. On your Fairphone, swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open all Quick Settings.
  2. Tap NFC to turn on or off.

If you don't see the NFC tile in your Quick Settings, find out how to find and change settings quickly.

How to set up contactless payments with NFC

To set up contactless payments with NFC, you'll need a payment app that supports contactless payments, like Google Wallet.

Once you have an app that supports contactless payments, you can set it as your default payment app. To set your default payment app:

  1. On your Fairphone, go to Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC.
  2. Tap Contactless payments and select a payment app to set it as the default.

To make a payment using the default payment app, hold the back of your Fairphone to a payment terminal.

Frequently asked questions about NFC

Does The Fairphone (Gen. 6/Gen. 6+) have EMVCo certification for contactless payments?

The Fairphone (Gen. 6/Gen. 6+) does not have EMVCo certification. While this certification is not strictly required for contactless payments (and many payment apps work perfectly fine without it), you may encounter compatibility issues with certain apps that enforce their own strict security checks, such as those using Paylib in France. Because these restrictions are implemented within the individual app's software rather than being a system-wide block on the device, we highly recommend reaching out directly to the app developer for support or potential workarounds.

Where is the NFC chip located on The Fairphone (Gen. 6/Gen. 6+)?

The NFC chip is located under the Upper back cover on the Top Unit.

Does the Fairphone (Gen. 6/Gen. 6+) support FeliCa (e.g., Osaifu-Keitai)?

No, FeliCA is not officially supported. While the Fairphone (Gen. 6/Gen. 6+) includes the necessary NFC hardware (Samsung S3NRN4VX chip), Fairphone has not specified support or obtained the required software license for the proprietary FeliCa protocol used for Japanese mobile payment and transit services (like Suica or Pasmo).

Need more help?

If NFC or contactless payments aren't working, you can often fix it in just a few simple steps. Find out how: Troubleshoot the NFC.

Still need help?

First try our self-service portal and then reach out to our customer support team. You can also open a support request directly through the My Fairphone app pre-installed on your device.