NFC Routines

Start with your iPhone

The tag-triggered Shortcuts routines covered here use your iPhone. They complement your Apple Watch setup; they do not turn the Watch into a general-purpose NFC tag scanner.

The basics

What NFC tags do

An NFC tag is a small sticker or card with a chip your iPhone can read when you hold it near. On its own a tag does nothing; with the Shortcuts app’s NFC automation, tapping a tag runs a shortcut you choose. iPhone XS and later support this.

Apple Watch does not scan third-party NFC tags for these automations. The routines start on your iPhone, and they can still control things you use from your Watch.

Step by step

Set one up in 2 minutes

Open Shortcuts and go to the Automation tab.
Tap New Automation and choose NFC.
Tap Scan, then hold the tag near the top of your iPhone.
Name the tag so you recognize it later.
Choose Run Immediately so the automation works without a confirmation tap.
Add actions: set a Focus, start a timer or play a playlist.

Ideas

Routines that work well

Desk tag: turn on a Work Focus when you sit down.
Nightstand tag: start a sleep Focus and set tomorrow’s alarm.
Bag or car tag: start a playlist and share your ETA.
Charger-stand tag: log a routine, like a workout or a water reminder.

Buying notes

Which tags to buy

NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216 stickers all work with iPhone; the difference is memory, and Shortcuts automations need very little. NTAG215 is a common middle option.

If you plan to stick a tag on metal, like a fridge or a laptop stand, choose anti-metal tags, because plain stickers often fail on metal surfaces.

Read our NTAG sticker notes

Keep going

NFC guides and tools

Desk NFC starter system

Build a repeatable routine for your workspace.

Travel NFC routine kit

Organize helpful shortcuts for time away.

NFC business cards

A closer look at contact-sharing workflows.

Explore BAWC

NFC Tags and Shortcuts for iPhone and Apple Watch