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How to disable NFC mobile payments on your phone

⚡ Fast fix

  • On Android: go to Settings > Connections > NFC and toggle it off.
  • On iPhone: remove cards from Wallet to disable Apple Pay.
  • Want it fully off? Disable NameDrop and Transfer to HomePod in Settings > General.
  • You can turn NFC back on anytime if you need mobile payments again.

NFC mobile payments are a convenient alternative to cash or physical credit cards. Despite this, there are reasons why you might want to disable these payments. Here, we'll walk you through exactly how to do this on Android™ and iPhone® devices.

Understanding what NFC does on your phone

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless technology that enables devices within a short range—roughly 2 inches—to exchange information securely. NFC can be used to transfer financial information between a phone and a credit card reader, enabling mobile payments. It can also be used to quickly pair NFC-enabled accessories, such as speakers and headphones, with your phone.

Disabling NFC will disable these functions, meaning you won't be able to use your mobile wallet for payments. Even so, some people prefer to limit the use of NFC to prevent the potential for unwanted data transfer. You may be concerned about two types of unwanted transfers: intentional and unintentional.

  • Intentional: There is a theoretical possibility of "digital pick pocketing," where a malicious actor attempts to initiate a transaction or steal data by using an NFC reader in a crowded area. Some have even suggested that hackers could use NFC tags or stickers placed in public locations, hoping that people will accidentally brush up against them to trigger an unwanted data transfer.
  • Accidental: Some users worry about accidentally triggering a transaction by standing too close to a payment terminal.

It's worth noting that these issues are rare and that NFC is considered a generally safe technology. Modern payment apps, for example, require a second layer of authentication before initiating a payment, such as a fingerprint or Face ID® confirmation. Still, if you don't use NFC features and want to avoid the possibility of these problems entirely, it might make sense to disable NFC. You can always turn NFC back on if needed.

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Turning off NFC on Android devices

Disabling NFC, including Google Pay™, on your Android device is fairly straightforward. Bear in mind, however, that menu names may vary depending on the particular brand of your phone. Here are the steps:

  1. Navigate to your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap on Connected Devices, Connections, or Wireless & Networks.
  3. Tap on Connection Preferences.
  4. Find and tap on NFC or NFC & Contactless Payments.
  5. Turn the Use NFC switch to the off position.

Some Android devices also allow you to disable NFC through Quick Settings:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to open the Quick Settings panel.
  2. Locate and tap on the NFC icon (you may need to expand the icon tile to see it).

Managing NFC and payments on iPhone

Disabling NFC on an iPhone is slightly more complicated. Apple® does not provide a general setting to turn all instances of NFC off. Instead, you'll have to manage the use of NFC within individual apps.

To disable Apple Pay®, for example, you can simply opt not to add any credit cards to your Apple Wallet, and remove any that are already present. To remove an existing card, do the following:

  1. Navigate to the Wallet app.
  2. Tap on the card you want to remove.
  3. Tap on the i icon in the upper right corner.
  4. Select Remove Card.

Other iPhone features that use NFC include Transfer to HomePod, which allows you to transfer media to a HomePod device by tapping, and NameDrop, which swaps contact information between iPhones by holding them together. To disable these features, navigate to Settings > General. To disable NameDrop, tap AirDrop and turn off Bringing Devices Together, and to disable Transfer to HomePod, tap AirPlay & Continuity and turn off Transfer to HomePod.

When to turn NFC back on

NFC has many uses. In addition to mobile payments, NFC can allow you to tap to use transit passes, keys, and ID cards. So when should you turn NFC back on, and when should you leave it off?

It comes down to your personal usage habits and a trade-off between convenience and security. You'll probably be safe even if you leave NFC on all the time, but it's still even safer to have NFC off when you're not using it. If you use NFC infrequently, it can make sense to turn NFC on only when you need to use it, especially if you have an Android device, which makes this process simple.

By understanding how NFC works and how to disable it, you can make smarter decisions when managing its use.

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FAQ

Does turning off NFC disable mobile payments?

Yes. Disabling NFC prevents contactless payments from working.

Can you completely disable NFC on iPhone?

Not entirely. You must manage NFC usage within individual apps.

The Asurion® trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Asurion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the respective owners of the other trademarks appearing herein.

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