NFC stands for “near field communication.” It's the technology that allows smartphones and devices like payment readers to communicate, and it enables secure, contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay—transactions that require no physical contact between the payment device and the payment reader.

What does NFC do on my phone?

Near Field Communication (NFC) allows the transfer of data between devices that are a few centimeters apart, typically back-to-back. ... NFC must be turned on for NFC-based apps (e.g., Android Beam) to function correctly.

Does my phone have an NFC reader?

The fastest and easiest method is to open Settings and then search for "nfc" in the field at the top. If Android returns a search result like NFC or Near Field Communication, then NFC is available on your Android smartphone or tablet.