NFC Keychain (Re)Programming Guide
Program your custom NFC keychain in minutes using the free NFC Tools app on iOS or Android.
Before You Start
- Make sure your phone supports NFC and it’s enabled (Android: Settings → Connections → NFC). On iPhone, NFC is always on.
- Place the keychain near the iPhone’s top edge (by the camera). On Android, move it around back until you find the sweet spot.
- Your keychain may use one of the following chip types:
- NTAG213 — ~144 bytes usable memory (≈ 40 characters for a URL). Supports 4-byte passwords.
- NTAG215 — ~504 bytes usable memory (≈ 190 characters for a URL). Supports 4-byte passwords.
- ICODE SLIX2 — ~2.5 KB usable memory (much larger). Advanced features may require NXP TagWriter.
Tip: Shorten long links with a URL shortener to guarantee compatibility across all chip types.
Instructions
Select the action you want to perform:
Write a Website / URL
1
Open NFC Tools → Write → Add a record → Website / URL.
2
Enter your link (e.g.,
https://vidacustomdesigns.com/). Keep under ~190 characters for NTAG215, ~40 for NTAG213. Tap OK, then Write.3
Tap phone to keychain until you see “Write complete”. Test by tapping again.
Erase a Tag
1
In NFC Tools → Other/Tools → Erase tag.
2
Tap the keychain to confirm erase.
Make Read-Only (Lock)
Warning: Locking is permanent. You cannot erase or rewrite afterward.
1
After writing, go to Other/Tools → Set read-only.
2
Tap the keychain to confirm lock.
Copy / Clone Content
You can copy content but not the chip’s unique ID (UID).
1
Read source tag → Save in NFC Tools.
2
Write saved content to another keychain via the Write tab.
Troubleshooting
- No write? Move keychain slowly around device; remove thick/metal cases.
- Tag locked? Already read-only tags can’t be erased or rewritten.
- Link won’t open? Ensure it starts with
https://and type is Website/URL. - Out of space? Use shorter links or a higher-capacity chip.
Discover More from Vida Custom Designs
Handcrafted NFC keychains are just the beginning. Explore our full catalog of custom laser, UV print, 3D, and CNC creations.
Visit VCDnow.com