I created the ultimate Wi-Fi password key with the most unexpected gadget - how it works

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One of my favourite technologies is NFC. I'm blown distant that I tin constitute information to a small spot and past entree that utilizing a telephone oregon tablet. I've embedded NFC tags into each sorts of things, from documents to concern cards to 3D-printed objects.

And it's easy!

What you'll need

You request 2 things:

NFC tags: These travel successful each sorts of shapes and sizes, from stickers to keychain disks to plastic cards. I spell for NTAG215 compatible tags, due to the fact that they are wide available, cheap, person capable on-board representation for my needs (504 bytes ought to beryllium capable for anybody), and they person a data-retention lifespan of astatine slightest 10 years oregon 100,000 writing/rewriting cycles. You tin find NTAG213 NFC tags that are cheaper, but these are constricted to 137 bytes, and I've had website URLs that transcend this length.
NFC reader/writer app: I usage NFC Tools, disposable connected both iOS and Android.

The NTAG215 stickers are inexpensive and cleanable for disposable applications.

How to make an NFC tag

Writing a fewer twelve tags with a smartphone app is fine, but if you find yourself wanting to constitute a lot, you're moving into the realm of an concern setup similar the Sato CT4-LX.

Also: I recovered AirTag alternatives that are tough, loud, and compatible with Android phones

You person the tags, the app is installed, and you're acceptable to constitute your archetypal tag. To constitute a tag that opens a webpage, pat Write, past Add a record, pat URL/URI, participate the code of the web leafage you privation to unfastened successful the box, and pat OK.

Now, to constitute to the tag: pat Write, past bring the tag to the backmost of the smartphone. It should observe the tag and constitute the information to it. It's that easy!

How to trial your NFC tag

To trial the tag, exit the app, bring the tag up to the backmost of the smartphone, and it should beryllium picked up and punctual you to spell to the web page.

Also: Finally, Bluetooth trackers for Android users that relation adjacent amended than AirTags

But you're not done. Remember that NFC tags are rewritable, and you don't privation others fiddling with tags you've placed connected things, arsenic this could beryllium a large information issue.

You person 2 options, some disposable successful the NFC Tools app. You tin password-protect the tag oregon fastener it.

With stickers, I thin to fastener these, arsenic it's quicker (you don't request to make oregon retrieve a password), but for reusable tags and cards, the password enactment allows for aboriginal reuse.

Password protecting a tag allows it to beryllium re-written successful the future, but prevents unauthorized tampering.

The prime is yours, but you request to bash 1 oregon the different to support the tag from being altered.

And determination you are. Done. Working with NFCs is that easy.

Pro tip: A useful mode I usage NFC tags

You tin make an NFC tag to stock your Wi-Fi password. If you privation to bash this, successful NFC Tools, you'd adhd a grounds for Wi-Fi Network and participate your network's details. I find this a ace useful mode to stock the password for my impermanent Wi-Fi.

Also: How to find retired if an AirTag is tracking you - and what to bash astir it

Experiment with what the app offers; there's a batch successful there.

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