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NFC

How to Program NFC Tags with iPhone and Apple Shortcuts

Step-by-step guide for complete beginners. You'll learn how to buy the right NFC tags, write your first automation using Apple Shortcuts, physically place tags for maximum scan reliability, and troubleshoot the most common issues. No third-party apps required — everything runs natively in iOS 14 and later.

Published February 15, 2026 11 min read

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Products covered

NTAG215 NFC Sticker Tags (50-Pack)

NTAG215 chips are the standard for iPhone NFC automation. These are the same chip used in Nintendo Amiibo figures and compatible with Apple Shortcuts NFC triggers. Each sticker is 25mm diameter and 0.5mm thick — thin enough to hide under surfaces. 504 bytes of storage per tag, sufficient for any Shortcut URL or automation trigger. iPhone reads them passively in iOS 13+ without opening any app. Best value NFC tag pack for getting started.

Keep reading

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By BAWC Editorial · Independent, reader-supported

How we pick products

  • We shortlist accessories from Amazon listings.
  • We check each listing’s stated Apple Watch model and size compatibility before including it.
  • We compare listed materials, features and price, and we use Amazon’s public star ratings and review counts as one signal, not a verdict.
  • Our coverage is research-led, based on listings, specs and public ratings, not hands-on testing.

Sources: Amazon product listings and ratings, manufacturer product pages, and Apple’s Apple Watch model comparison.