Program an NFC business card

An NFC business card can open your public vCard when someone taps it with a compatible phone. This guide covers the complete setup, from choosing a writable tag and installing an app to testing the tap and updating the profile later.

Before you start

Set up your writing kit

Get the public Zapped link, a writable NFC card, and a device that can write NFC. Then choose the setup that matches the device in your hand.

Public Zapped URL

Open the card in Zapped, copy its public URL, and open it in a browser once before writing it to a chip.

Writable NFC card

Use an unlocked NFC card or tag. NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 are common options for a web link.

NFC switched on

Enable NFC in your phone settings when your device requires it. Remove a thick case before writing or testing.

Keep it editable

Do not lock the chip yet. A locked tag cannot be rewritten if you later change the destination URL.

Choose your writer

Install the right app for your device

Use a phone for the simplest setup. A USB reader is optional when you need to program cards from a computer.

iPhone

Write from your iPhone

Install NFC Tools, then use Write, Add a record, and URL / URI. Keep the card near the top of the phone until the app confirms the write.

Open NFC Tools for iPhone

Android

Write from your Android phone

Install NFC Tools, then use Write, Add a record, and URL / URI. Hold the card against the back of the phone until the app confirms the write.

Open NFC Tools for Android

PC or Mac

Use a USB NFC reader

This route is optional. Use NFC Tools for PC or Mac only when you already have a compatible USB NFC reader and want to program cards from a computer.

Open NFC Tools for PC or Mac

Prepare, write, and test the NFC card

1. Open the card from Cards and copy its public URL.
2. Open the writing app, choose Write, then choose Add a record or URL / URI. The exact label can vary by app version.
3. Paste the public Zapped URL, save the URL record, and choose Write. Hold the NFC card flat against the phone until the app confirms the write. Keep the phone still during the transfer.
4. Use the app’s Read function to scan the tag again. Confirm that it shows the expected URL, the tag is writable, and the record is an NDEF URL record.
5. Tap the card with an iPhone and an Android phone. Confirm that both open the expected public profile, the profile loads over HTTPS, and the important contact actions work.
6. Lock the chip only after every test passes and you are sure the destination URL will not change. A locked chip cannot be rewritten.
7. Update the profile in Zapped whenever needed. If the public URL stays the same, those content changes appear on the next tap without rewriting the chip.