Set up NFC check-in with ease

NFC check-in is the fastest and most contactless form of Tapcoat check-in. Instead of scanning a QR code, staff briefly hold the smartphone to a guest’s NFC chip — the process takes a fraction of a second and requires no action from the guest.

Which venues is NFC suited for?

NFC makes particular sense when guests already carry an NFC-enabled object from the start of the event. Typical use cases:

  • NFC name badges at conferences and trade shows
  • NFC lanyards at festivals or corporate events
  • NFC entry wristbands at clubs and galas
  • NFC access cards or employee ID badges
  • Contactless debit or credit cards (in certain setups)

In all these cases, the guest already has the means of identification in hand. Staff briefly tap it with the smartphone — and check-in is complete.

Device requirements for NFC

Not every smartphone supports NFC. The following overview shows what you need to keep in mind:

iPhone

  • iPhone XR (2018) or newer: Full NFC support, background scanning active — recommended
  • iPhone 7, 8, X: NFC available, but without background scanning — the app must be open
  • Older than iPhone 7: No NFC — not suitable

Android

  • Most Android smartphones from 2013 onward support NFC
  • NFC must be enabled in the device settings: Settings → Connected devices → NFC (or similar, depending on the manufacturer)
  • Recommended: Android 10 or higher

Test devices in advance: Make sure all staff devices in use are NFC-capable and have NFC enabled. A quick test with an existing NFC tag is enough — it only takes seconds and gives you peace of mind before the event.

NFC identifier: what gets scanned?

With NFC check-in, a physical NFC chip is used as the unique identifier. Tapcoat is compatible with all common NFC tag formats. There are two ways to integrate NFC identifiers:

Option 1: Tapcoat supplies NFC tags

Tapcoat can supply NFC tags in various forms — as stickers, cards, lanyards, or wristbands. These are designed for use with Tapcoat. You can order them via our website or from your personal account manager.

Option 2: Connect your own or third-party NFC systems

If your venue or ticketing provider already issues NFC-enabled objects — for example NFC conference badges or NFC admission tickets — these can be integrated directly. Tapcoat reads the unique NFC identifier and links it to the cloakroom transaction. Separate programming of the tags is usually not required.

Setting up NFC for an event

You select NFC as the identifier when creating the event, in step 3 (“Identifier”). There, choose “NFC” from the drop-down menu. Once the event is created, NFC scanning is automatically active in the app — staff open the check-in screen and hold the device to the guest’s NFC identifier.

Note: The identifier — QR or NFC — is set per event at creation and cannot be changed afterward. If you want to combine both methods in one event, contact support@tapcoat.com. Custom solutions are available on the Enterprise plan.