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World desk4 min

Web NFC API: Read and Write NDEF Tags from a Browser

Web NFC can read and write NDEF tags from compatible browsers and NFC devices. Learn the prerequisites, basic scan and write patterns, and important limits.
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You can read or write an NFC tag from a web page with the Web NFC API—but only when the browser, device and tag support it. Web NFC works with NDEF messages; it is not a general-purpose way to access every NFC card or low-level protocol. Before building around it, check browser and device compatibility and confirm that your tag supports NDEF.

Check whether Web NFC fits your setup

Web NFC is designed for exchanging NDEF messages with compatible NFC tags. A tag must be formatted for NDEF; an NFC card that uses an unsupported technology or proprietary protocol cannot be accessed just because it works with an NFC reader elsewhere. The API does not expose general low-level NFC I/O. See the MDN Web NFC API overview for its scope and tag requirements.

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  • Browser: Support is limited, not universal. Check the current compatibility table for the browser and version you intend to use.
  • Device: The device needs NFC hardware that the browser can use.
  • Page: The API requires a secure context, normally HTTPS, in browsers that support it.
  • Tag: Use an NDEF-compatible tag, such as a compatible NFC sticker.

Feature-detect the API rather than assuming it is present. If NDEFReader is unavailable, the page should explain that NFC requires a supported browser and device instead of presenting a nonfunctional scan or write control.

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Read an NDEF tag

Create an NDEFReader, register event handlers, then call scan(). The scan operation is asynchronous and may require NFC permission. Its promise rejection indicates that scanning could not be started; the separate readingerror event means a tag was detected but could not be read. MDN documents scan behavior and errors and the NDEFReader events and API.

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async function scanForNdef() {
  if (!("NDEFReader" in window)) {
    console.error("Web NFC is not available in this browser.");
    return;
  }

  const reader = new NDEFReader();
  reader.addEventListener("reading", ({ message, serialNumber }) => {
    console.log("Tag serial number:", serialNumber);
    for (const record of message.records) {
      console.log(record.recordType, record.data);
    }
  });
  reader.addEventListener("readingerror", () => {
    console.error("A tag was detected but could not be read.");
  });

  try {
    await reader.scan();
    console.log("Scanning started. Bring an NDEF tag near the device.");
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Could not start NFC scanning:", error);
  }
}

Each reading event provides an NDEF message containing records. The example logs record types and data rather than assuming every tag contains a string or URL. For a text record, decode its bytes with the encoding specified by that record, then validate the result before using it. The W3C Web NFC Community Group explainer shows decoding approaches and warns that tag data can come from unknown sources.

Write an NDEF message

Call write() with an NDEF message. For example, this writes a URL record. Tell the user what the page intends to write before asking them to present a tag, and handle rejection: permissions, hardware and the NFC transfer can prevent a write from completing. See MDN’s NDEFReader.write() documentation for accepted message forms and errors.

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async function writeUrl() {
  if (!("NDEFReader" in window)) {
    console.error("Web NFC is not available in this browser.");
    return;
  }

  const writer = new NDEFReader();
  try {
    await writer.write({
      records: [{ recordType: "url", data: "https://example.com/" }],
    });
    console.log("NDEF message written.");
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("NFC write failed:", error);
  }
}

The promise resolving means the operation completed; do not report success before it resolves. If your interface needs to identify a tag before writing, MDN documents coordinating a reading event with a write operation. The API also supports cancellation through AbortController, which can help stop scans or writes when a user leaves the relevant screen.

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Handle visibility and tag data safely

Keep scanning tied to the visible page

The W3C Web NFC Community Group explainer describes Web NFC as restricted to a visible, top-level browsing context. Operations are suspended while the document is hidden and resume as appropriate when it becomes visible. In a single-page application, make the scanning state clear when a view changes, and consider aborting an operation when the user leaves the NFC workflow.

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Do not treat a tag as proof of identity

The W3C Web NFC Community Group explainer states: “NFC (with NDEF) is not secure for authenticity or integrity.” Someone may read a tag and, unless it has been made read-only, may alter its contents. Web NFC does not automatically encrypt or sign a message. A URL stored on a tag is therefore just input—not proof that the destination or tag is trustworthy. Validate data before acting on it, and use an appropriate signature-verification design if your application needs authenticity or integrity.

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Choose the right approach for the job

  • Use Web NFC when the task is to read or write NDEF records on a supported device and browser.
  • Do not rely on Web NFC when you need a proprietary NFC technology, low-level protocol access, or support across browsers and devices that do not implement the API.
  • Use another design when the application must establish that tag data is authentic or unchanged; NDEF alone does not provide that guarantee.

For a first experiment, an NDEF-compatible NFC tag or sticker is enough. Check its NDEF compatibility before trying to write; having an NFC label does not by itself establish that it can store the message your page needs.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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