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Galaxy S4 NFC Tags Compatibility

Hey Gang,
Just want to make sure all the S4 owners know that Mifare Classic Tags are NOT fully compatible with the new Galaxy S4 since it used the Broadcom NFC Chip. Mifare Classics are the most affordable and inexpensive and are compatible with previous Galaxy models (S3, Note, Note 2) but are NOT fully compatible with this new S4.
NTAG203 tags are fully compatible with ALL NFC phones including the new Galaxy S4!
Any NFC Tag that adheres to the NFC Forum protocols will be fully compatible so stick to those. Of those, the most popular and affordable are NTAG203 Tags which work great and have about 137 bytes of usable memory. This will be enough for almost any NFC App EXCEPT the official Tectile App which uses way more memory than it should. I'd suggest not using the Tectile app - there are many better NFC apps!
The 137 bytes on the NTAG203 tags is also enough to create a basic contact sharing tag with Name/Business/Email/Phone, but if you're wanting a full business card with name/business name/street address/website/email/phone/etc then 137 bytes probably won't cut it. (TIP: Install the NFC by MOO app - type in all the info you want on the tag and see how many bytes you need BEFORE buying).
Another tag that is gaining popularity is the Topaz 512 which is also fully compatible with ALL NFC phones and has 512 bytes of actual memory and about 480 bytes of usable memory. This should suffice for the Samsung Tectile app as well as holding all your business info. However, these are more expensive than the NTAG203 tags and will be overkill for most applications as the NTAG203's have plenty of memory for most task launchers or basic contact info.
There are other NFC Chip formats out there - any that adhere to the NFC Forums Type 1 or Type 2 compatibility protocols will work with the Galaxy S4. But based on what's readily available and popular the main thing to remember is that Mifare Classic Tags are NOT compatible with the S4; NTAG203 Tags and Topaz 512 Tags ARE fully compatible!
Hope this info proves helpful and keeps some people from wasting money on tags that aren't compatible.

Found this out the hard way. I have a bunch of mifare tags that I used pretty extensively with my skyrocket and my express and they just plain don't work with the s4. You just get an error that says "tag not supported."

Thanks for the additional info. If you search the forums you will see that there is already a couple of informative threads about this issue but more information is always welcome.

I wish I found this earlier .. I bought 5 tags off ebay and their the Mifare tags and just tried them out on my GS4 with no luck, good job they didnt cost much.
Thanks for the info about which tags actually work with GS4:good:

I used tectiles on my S3 and it was a bummer to find out it does not work with my S4. Thanks for the info :good:

Yeah....tagsfordroid are NOT compatible either. Lol. I got 10 cool stickers anyway.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

sd_N said:
Yeah....tagsfordroid are NOT compatible either. Lol. I got 10 cool stickers anyway.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not true. TagsforDroid sells NFC tags that are compatible with S4s, you just can't use the Mifare tags (as has been explained).

Ok, since this is the general forum, Im gonna ask a newb question... what can a user do with a NFC tag? I thought they were the type of things that I can just wave my phone at in starbucks to buy a cup of coffee with, but Im guessing they are something else altogether?

scott14719 said:
This is not true. TagsforDroid sells NFC tags that are compatible with S4s, you just can't use the Mifare tags (as has been explained).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK...thanks for the info. I thought they sold only one type. Haven't checked back with them since the new NFC stuff. Appreciate the heads up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

I just wrote toggle mobile data on/off, Wi-Fi on/off blocking mode on/off, & auto sync on/off using one NFC chip. These things are nice. I did not use Samsung's model.

I use tags from tagstand.com with my S4 in conjunction with the NFC task launcher app. They are compatible.
P.S. This thread should be under Accessories.

schollianmj said:
Ok, since this is the general forum, Im gonna ask a newb question... what can a user do with a NFC tag? I thought they were the type of things that I can just wave my phone at in starbucks to buy a cup of coffee with, but Im guessing they are something else altogether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To put it short, they are little tags with chips in them that u can program on ur phone and when u place ur phone next to them it automate tasks on your phone, like I want my gps to turn on and my navigation to open up all without touching/pressing any buttons. so I can stick one of these on my car cradle and when I dock it, it does the tasks. But theres many other things u can use them for.. these have a few ideas
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1867596
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4gRrh0OCME

NFC Cover
Do you need NFC cover to make it work like on Note 2?

morow said:
Do you need NFC cover to make it work like on Note 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not for the Galaxy S4...cus its built into the phone already
edit..actually the Note 2 shouldnt need a cover too because its built into that as well

NFC Cover
sonyman81 said:
not for the Galaxy S4...cus its built into the phone already
edit..actually the Note 2 shouldnt need a cover too because its built into that as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. My girlfriend has a Note 2 and she bought the flip cover with the NFC, I thought you have to have a cover with the NFC to make it work.

sonyman81 said:
not for the Galaxy S4...cus its built into the phone already
edit..actually the Note 2 shouldnt need a cover too because its built into that as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just fyi, the note 2 comes with the nfc antenna attached to the battery cover i.e. it is not built into the phone.

suchevent said:
just fyi, the note 2 comes with the nfc antenna attached to the battery cover i.e. it is not built into the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. But hey we are on the s4 not the note 2. Its unrelated to what he wants to know. Ill post a link in a few of the tags I got. 7$ for 10 of them. And it was $2.99 shipping. Comes from Canada. https://www.tagger.ca/shop/
Sent from my SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

oh right..didnt know, I dont own a note 2....I just looked it up on wiki and it said it had nfc so I assumed it was built in, my bad...thx for correcting me

Good info here. Thanks.

sonyman81 said:
oh right..didnt know, I dont own a note 2....I just looked it up on wiki and it said it had nfc so I assumed it was built in, my bad...thx for correcting me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think you're thinking of the wireless charging Qi.

NFC first time buyer???

NFC first time buyer???
I wanna buy some nfc tags for my s4, im looking for ntag203 correct???
Does anyone have some links to some they have bought and that worked on the tmobil s4????
I saw some on amazon but i didnt want to buy until i got more info...TY

I just purchased these on a whim: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221222189868&ssPageName=ADME:L:eek:U:US:3160
They should be here in two to three days and I will update my post with the results.

I am using tags from my NFC Hobbyist Starter Kit from tagstand.com.
http://nfctags.tagstand.com/
They are compatible with my AT&T Galaxy S4 when used in conjunction with the NFC Task Launcher app.

snakecharmer23 said:
I am using tags from my NFC Hobbyist Starter Kit from tagstand.com.
http://nfctags.tagstand.com/
They are compatible with my AT&T Galaxy S4 when used in conjunction with the NFC Task Launcher app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be aware that the Mifare tags do not work on the S4.
I snagged these ones. (slow boat from china, but I have to wait for verizon anyway.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370755565207

NOTE III has built in ANT+ support! (Breaking News so to say:)

I believe this is an important fact, however for some reason, there was no mention of this in any of Samsung's stage intros, news reports, or even spec sheets and even any Note 3 reviews.
How can such a big company with an enormous marketing department fail so miserably.
Its is a far more useful feature that the infrared which is mentioned. Also in the current days its even way more practical than the smart-watch they made (which in all honesty has not real life practical use if you have a phone and a BT headset. And without a phone it cant even function on its own).
Anyway it is good (now confirmed) news, not matter the blunder, That Note 3 does in-fact support ANT+
http://www.thisisant.com/news/ant-has-been-integrated-in-samsung-galaxy-note-3
I personally only realized it when and end user reported it in a forum which I follow.
Why they (Samsung) should play this so lowkey I will never understand. I am almost certain that this is going to be news to a lot of the people who worked on the GN3. And its not even funny.
So many sports/fitness people can make good use of it.
It seems to be working on all versions of Note 3 (SD800 I was sure, but a used reported that his equinox also has ANT+). I have to confess that this later part still has me wondering, as it is know that the Snapdragon has had integrated ANT on its chips for a long time (its not something that Samsung added by itself, hence you have it on the Sony Z Ultra also and if rumors are right then the S4 will support it with the next firmware upgrade), but I never heard (till this day) of an equinox that did support this. Doesn't really make sense. You can do a search on google with SD/qualcomm and ANT and you will return positive results. Qualcomm is a part of the alliance. How ever if you do the same for equinoxx you wont find any thing, not a single thing!.
All in all I am very happy. As I dont have to trash my Wahoo speed and cadence sensor. Just to buy a BTLE version of this, to which the android support is still shady and continues to disconnect according to current users. Also very few apps have BTLE enabled for android (As they really waisted time getting here). I think officially so far, only Runtastic pro has in integrated.
However a lot of apps have ANT+ support, as that has been with android since the (Sony Xperia pioneered) 2011 days. If you have problems connecting your ANT device to Note 3, then try this universal connection manager: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iforpowell.android.ipantman it works with any ANT sports app, not just the developers own. Also lets multiple apps use data from the same ANT device. Basically a must have!
There are very many sensors to choose from, all now compatible with the GN3: http://www.thisisant.com/directory you can filter at the side.
A little background on ANT (as I can see from the replies, that a lot of people are like "ok, but what is ANT?"):
For those that are new to this. ANT+ is a wireless protocol that is similar to Bluetooth, actually more like Bluetooth LE. It is usually found on sport monitors/sensors like a heart rate sensor and is used mostly to transfer information to a reviver/logger, like a "bike computer" (things like speed, cadence, power, pulse, etc).
ANT+ has a wide list of compatible equipment (as its older than BTLE). Formally you needed to buy an expensive receiver/computer (like Garmin) for $400. Now you can use your phone to do this for free and even do it better (as the phones can do much more and has many options for apps/customization.). Also you can simultaneously navigate a map, take calls, listen to music, etc. All-in-one.
See these for any example of ANT+ compatible Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.strava or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.endomondo.android both of which, as you can see are very popular. Most of this really became popular with the Sony Xperia Active, which is water, dust and damage proof, so people didn't mind mounting it on their bikes.
Basically you dont need ant to use these apps. The built in GPS on these phone can do wonders (tell you speed, elevation, position). But if you want even more detail and also you wan these details to be more precise, then that is where these sensors come into play.
Ok. Now I know some people might have the feeling, that they have been "living under a cave". Don't feel bad. I too didn't know anything about all this about a year ago. That was when I dusted off my bike in the cellar. As I was getting too fat
Some examples in use:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

I saw the app getting an update when i first got my N9005 few days ago, then i looked it up on google and i too was amazed to see that Samsung had missed it :/
Sent from my SM-N9005

I just dont get it....
Ather said:
I saw the app getting an update when i first got my N9005 few days ago, then i looked it up on google and i too was amazed to see that Samsung had missed it :/
Sent from my SM-N9005
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So weird: If you do a search for Note 3 and ANT+ on google then all you get is the Sept 5th report from thisisant.com site that I linked and few tech news channels that echoed it the same day or the next. That is all.
So you have Qualcomm then, right? That confirms my supervision.

oalex said:
I am sorry if this has been mentioned, but I cant find any tread referring to it.
I believe this is an important fact, how ever for some reason, there was no mention of this in any of Samsung's stage intros, news reports. If I am correct samsung even forgot to mention it on the spec sheets.
I also read most reviews out there about the Note III and none of then mentioned anything about it.
http://www.thisisant.com/news/ant-has-been-integrated-in-samsung-galaxy-note-3
I personally only realized it when and end user reported it in a forum which I follow, that he revived his Note 3 and it paired with his ANT+ device.
Why should the play this on low-key, it a more important feature that a lot of other things that are published.
So many sports/fitness people can make good use of it.
I suspect that it might be limited to one version only, that is either Exynos or Qualcomm. Still looking for specifics, maybe someone can shed some light on this.
(I think Qualcomm is the winner here too?? as those have had this feature in Sony Ericsson Xperia and Motorola in the past)
All in all I am very happy. As I dont have to trash my Wahoo speed and cadence sensor. Just to by a BTLE version of which the android support is still shady and continues to disconnect according to current users. Also very few apps have BT LE enadled for android (As they really waisted time getting here). I think officially so far only Runtastic pro has in integrated. However a lot of apps have ANT+ support, as that has been with android since the Sony Xperia 2011 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you've just educated me on a feature that I love but had no idea what it was..
I downloaded an update for the ant+ software just last night..
Now excuse me while I go off to find and ant+ compatible heart rate monitor to pair with my UK N9005..
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4

I think all version of the N3 have ant. My Garmin HR monitor works with the ant app. And my N3

randpost said:
I think all version of the N3 have ant. My Garmin HR monitor works with the ant app. And my N3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have N9000? OR you read it somewhere?
I never saw anything indicate that Exynos eve had/has ANT support.

thanks this is really good news for me.. I just want some more information as to which version has the ant+ support. I just sold my wahoo rflkt and bluesc. I replaced it with a garmin edge 500 and was thinking about getting the footpod for running so this will be great if I don't need a key. This was one of the biggest problems for me switching to android that I had to switch out all my sensors because they aren't supported yet.

I emailed them via thisisant page asking which variants had ant and they said all variants. This was a week ago. I have N900T.

Impuls3101 said:
thanks this is really good news for me.. I just want some more information as to which version has the ant+ support. I just sold my wahoo rflkt and bluesc. I replaced it with a garmin edge 500 and was thinking about getting the footpod for running so this will be great if I don't need a key. This was one of the biggest problems for me switching to android that I had to switch out all my sensors because they aren't supported yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly the story of my life. I had to buy a stupid OTG cable and mini USB ant dongle. All which made it impossible to put the note in the mount that I had.
Also heart rate monitor is normal bluetooth which only lasted 4 weeks (Ant would last 6 months).
So far it seems that N9005 is 100% confirmed. Also this is what makes sense (looking at the chip manufacturer).
I am yet to see any info on N9000.
EDIT: Randpost (post above this one) got an email from THISISANT clamming that all versions support ANT+. This would even better news if its true. Lets hope we see more confirmation.

oalex said:
So you have Qualcomm then, right? That confirms my supervision.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the N9005 is the qualcomm snapdragon version
Sent from my SM-N9005
---------- Post added at 12:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:16 PM ----------
Also if you see this page, it lists Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as a compatible device..
http://www.thisisant.com/directory
Sent from my SM-N9005
---------- Post added at 12:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 PM ----------
http://www.thisisant.com/directory/galaxy-note-3/
Sent from my SM-N9005

i've got n9005 note 3 lte ,my problem is i have polar h/r with strap..!! bad luck.!!
and to use note 3 h/r app , i have to get garmin or other,for about 100 dollars extra !!
took screenshot of compatible straps and monitor, as listed in S health app. on Note 3

willcor said:
i've got n9005 note 3 lte ,my problem is i have polar h/r with strap..!! bad luck.!!
and to use note 3 h/r app , i have to get garmin or other,for about 100 dollars extra !!
took screenshot of compatible straps and monitor, as listed in S health app. on Note 3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry Willcor, but you have some stuff mixed up.
Polar doesn't have anything that is ANT+ compatible. The have either Bluetooth or thier own "WIND" system.
Anything that has ANT+ written on it and is a sensor of some sort should be compatible with Note III.
Here is a comprehensive list of ANT+ sensors. Just fillter at the side, for what you want (eg cycling).
http://www.thisisant.com/directory
ANT+ is in this way different from BT. If you have say Endomondo app or Strava (or many other) apps from appstore then no mater what ANT HRM you use, it will work. ITs not connecting directly to the app, but rather to the ANT service on android which is universal.

Ray Maker of DC Rainmaker on Twitter reports ANT+ is coming to the Samsung Galaxy S4 through an October Firmware update and will be supported on all flagship devices going into the future
dcrainmakerblog
"We will support ANT+ in the Galaxy S4 in a firmware update coming in October" - Samsung (at the ANT+ Symposium)
dcrainmakerblog
"We do plan to support ANT+ on all of our flagship smartphone devices in the future" - Samsung (at the ANT+ Symposium)

Hell, got full set of ANT+ device and bougut a BTLE HR for note3... complete fail

And the saddest part for you wm2001 is that BTLE support is still veru buggy (no reconnect after disconnect) and most of the sports app dont yet support it. I think so far only runtastic and ipbike.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

BTW I say again, the fail is on Samsungs part. I still can't get my head around it how such an omission can happen with all the marketing personal that they have.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4

oalex said:
And the saddest part for you wm2001 is that BTLE support is still veru buggy (no reconnect after disconnect) and most of the sports app dont yet support it. I think so far only runtastic and ipbike.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still on its way to deliver to me. My questions is, is the ANT support any better than BTLE?

wm2001wm2001 said:
Still on its way to deliver to me. My questions is, is the ANT support any better than BTLE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the ANT Radio Service is unified across all phones with ANT including the Sony Xperia line I'd say there's a decent number of good reviews on it so far, but let's see what the Note 3 people say for awhile.

oalex said:
Sorry Willcor, but you have some stuff mixed up.
Polar doesn't have anything that is ANT+ compatible. The have either Bluetooth or thier own "WIND" system.
Anything that has ANT+ written on it and is a sensor of some sort should be compatible with Note III.
Here is a comprehensive list of ANT+ sensors. Just fillter at the side, for what you want (eg cycling).
http://www.thisisant.com/directory
ANT+ is in this way different from BT. If you have say Endomondo app or Strava (or many other) apps from appstore then no mater what ANT HRM you use, it will work. ITs not connecting directly to the app, but rather to the ANT service on android which is universal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, but you misread my post !!
( so i guess you have got it mixed up...!! not me..!!)
.That is what i was implying... polar, is not compatible( either ant+ or otherwise) and now i must fork out 100 dollars for compatible strap (ant+.....whatever make and monitor ! to work with S health app )
anyway, thank you for your reply.!!
Sorry if you got confused, with my cryptic post,...!!

Anyone try this with the n3 yet? If so how does it work? I'm thinking about getting a watch with a heart rate monitor and maybe some other features.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk 4

[Q] NFC Bluetooth Pairing

Has anyone had any success with NFC Bluetooth pairing on the Nexus 5? I made some tags a while back with my Galaxy Nexus, and both my GNex and Nexus 7 have always paired with my devices without a problem. The Nexus 5 makes a sound when put next to the NFC tags, but does nothing.

I'm not sure about the nexus 7, but tags that used to work with the galaxy nexus, no longer work with N4/N5.
The ones that I noticed, were the Samsung tags that were released with the s3
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

So you think it might be the tags rather than NFC Bluetooth pairing not working?

I paired sony sbh52 with N5 using NFC. No problems at all.
You need to unlock the phone before pairing and turn bluetooth on.

I did try it with Bluetooth on and the phone unlocked, but it's still not working. The tags I made work fine with my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7. Android Beam works fine with my Nexus 5, so I'm pretty sure my NFC is working on my Nexus 5. I'm going to try researching to see if it's the tags, before I go through the hassle of returning my phone, if it's a phone issue.

wirelessFREAK said:
I'm not sure about the nexus 7, but tags that used to work with the galaxy nexus, no longer work with N4/N5.
The ones that I noticed, were the Samsung tags that were released with the s3
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, after doing much research, I discovered what the problem was, and you were right. The Nexus 5 does not support MIFARE tags, which are the tags that I own. It appears like it does support NTAG203 tags, so I purchased some and will try them out. Thank you!

Question MIFARE Classic Tool

Does anyone know if Pixel 7 or 7 PRO is supported and works fine with the MIFARE Classic tool? I couldn't find any details about the NFC chip.
Appreciate your input.

It works on 7 Pro, at least for reading. Writing not tested.

Fantastic thanks for the confirmation. It should write too. According to the author, it supports NXP chips only.