Universal NFC

A framework-agnostic NFC package for reading and writing NFC tags in web applications and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), with iOS support options. This library provides a consistent API for working with NFC across different environments, with a focus on ease of use and developer experience.

Features

• 📱 Read NFC tags in web apps and PWAs
• ✍️ Write data to NFC tags
• 🌐 Framework-agnostic - works with React, Vue, Angular, vanilla JS, etc.
• 📦 Lightweight, with no external dependencies
• 📊 TypeScript support with comprehensive type definitions
• 🔄 Simple and advanced APIs for different use cases
• 🔌 Based on the Web NFC API standard
• 🍎 iOS support via native bridge integration

Installation

npm install universal-nfc

or

yarn add universal-nfc

Platform Compatibility

Feature	Chrome for Android (89+)	Chrome for Desktop	Safari iOS	Native iOS Apps	Native Android Apps	Firefox	Edge
Reading NFC	✅	❌	❌	✅*	✅	❌	❌
Writing NFC	✅	❌	❌	✅*	✅	❌	❌

*iOS support requires a native app with an embedded WebView and bridge implementation.

Requirements for Web NFC:

• Chrome 89+ on Android
• HTTPS connection (or localhost for development)
• Device with NFC hardware
• NFC enabled in device settings

Requirements for iOS NFC:

• iOS 11+ device with NFC hardware
• Native iOS app with NFC entitlements
• Core NFC framework integration
• Custom bridge implementation (see iOS Integration section)

Basic Usage

Reading NFC Tags (Simple API)

The simplest way to read NFC tags:

import { SimpleNfc } from 'universal-nfc';

const nfcReader = new SimpleNfc();

async function startReading() {
  // First check if NFC is available
  const available = await nfcReader.isAvailable();
  
  if (!available) {
    console.log('NFC is not available on this device/browser');
    return;
  }
  
  try {
    // Start reading NFC tags with a callback
    await nfcReader.startReading((content, type) => {
      console.log(`Read ${type} content:`, content);
      
      // 'type' will be 'text', 'url', or 'other'
      if (type === 'url') {
        // Handle URL
        window.open(content, '_blank');
      } else {
        // Handle text or other content
        document.getElementById('result').textContent = content;
      }
    });
    
    console.log('Scan started - tap an NFC tag');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error starting NFC scan:', error);
  }
}

function stopReading() {
  nfcReader.stopReading();
  console.log('NFC reading stopped');
}

Writing to NFC Tags

import { SimpleNfc } from "universal-nfc";

const nfcWriter = new SimpleNfc();

async function writeTextToTag() {
	try {
		await nfcWriter.writeText("Hello from Universal NFC!");
		console.log("Tag written successfully! Tap a tag to write.");
	} catch (error) {
		console.error("Error writing to tag:", error);
	}
}

async function writeUrlToTag() {
	try {
		await nfcWriter.writeUrl("https://example.com");
		console.log("URL written successfully! Tap a tag to write.");
	} catch (error) {
		console.error("Error writing URL to tag:", error);
	}
}

iOS Integration

Overview

iOS devices with NFC hardware (iPhone 7 and later running iOS 11+) support reading NFC tags, but with some important restrictions:

• Safari browser cannot directly access NFC: The Web NFC API is not supported in Safari.
• Native app required: NFC on iOS requires a native app built with the Core NFC framework.
• Web apps can access NFC through a bridge: Web content running in a WebView inside a native app can access NFC via a custom bridge.

iOS Native Bridge Setup

To use Universal NFC with iOS, you need to:

1. Create a native iOS app with WebView.
2. Implement Core NFC.
3. Create a JavaScript bridge.

1. Native iOS App with NFC Capabilities

First, ensure your app has NFC entitlements:

• Add the NFC entitlement to your app in Xcode.
• Add NFCReaderUsageDescription in Info.plist.
• Enable the "Near Field Communication Tag Reading" capability.

2. Implement the NFC Bridge in Swift

import WebKit
import CoreNFC

class NfcBridge: NSObject, NFCNDEFReaderSessionDelegate {
    weak var webView: WKWebView?
    var nfcSession: NFCNDEFReaderSession?
    
    init(webView: WKWebView) {
        self.webView = webView
        super.init()
        
        // Register JavaScript interface
        let bridgeScript = WKUserScript(
            source: "window.nativeNfcBridge = {
                isNfcEnabled: function() { return window.webkit.messageHandlers.nfcBridge.postMessage({action: 'isEnabled'}); },
                startNfcScan: function(options) { return window.webkit.messageHandlers.nfcBridge.postMessage({action: 'startScan', options: options}); },
                stopNfcScan: function() { return window.webkit.messageHandlers.nfcBridge.postMessage({action: 'stopScan'}); },
                writeNfcTag: function(data) { return window.webkit.messageHandlers.nfcBridge.postMessage({action: 'writeTag', data: data}); },
                openSettings: function() { return window.webkit.messageHandlers.nfcBridge.postMessage({action: 'openSettings'}); }
            };",
            injectionTime: .atDocumentStart,
            forMainFrameOnly: false
        )
        
        let contentController = webView.configuration.userContentController
        contentController.addUserScript(bridgeScript)
        contentController.add(self, name: "nfcBridge")
    }
    
    // Handle JavaScript messages
    func userContentController(_ userContentController: WKUserContentController, didReceive message: WKScriptMessage) {
        guard let body = message.body as? [String: Any],
              let action = body["action"] as? String else {
            return
        }
        
        switch action {
        case "isEnabled":
            checkNfcAvailability()
        case "startScan":
            let options = body["options"] as? String ?? "{}"
            startNfcSession(options: options)
        case "stopScan":
            stopNfcSession()
        case "writeTag":
            if let data = body["data"] as? String {
                writeNfcTag(data: data)
            }
        case "openSettings":
            openSettings()
        default:
            break
        }
    }
    
    private func checkNfcAvailability() {
        let isAvailable = NFCNDEFReaderSession.readingAvailable
        sendToWebView(script: "window.dispatchEvent(new MessageEvent('message', {data: {type: 'nfcStatusChanged', enabled: \(isAvailable)}}));")
    }
    
    private func startNfcSession(options: String) {
        guard NFCNDEFReaderSession.readingAvailable else {
            sendToWebView(script: "console.error('NFC reading not available on this device');")
            return
        }
        
        nfcSession = NFCNDEFReaderSession(delegate: self, queue: nil, invalidateAfterFirstRead: false)
        nfcSession?.alertMessage = "Hold your iPhone near an NFC tag"
        nfcSession?.begin()
    }
    
    private func stopNfcSession() {
        nfcSession?.invalidate()
        nfcSession = nil
    }
    
    private func writeNfcTag(data: String) {
        // Implement write logic
    }
    
    private func openSettings() {
        if let url = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
                UIApplication.shared.open(url)
            }
        }
    }
    
    private func sendToWebView(script: String) {
        DispatchQueue.main.async {
            self.webView?.evaluateJavaScript(script, completionHandler: nil)
        }
    }
}

3. Initialize the Bridge in Your View Controller

import UIKit
import WebKit

class WebViewController: UIViewController {
    var webView: WKWebView!
    var nfcBridge: NfcBridge!
    
    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        
        webView = WKWebView(frame: view.bounds)
        webView.autoresizingMask = [.flexibleWidth, .flexibleHeight]
        view.addSubview(webView)
        
        nfcBridge = NfcBridge(webView: webView)
        
        if let url = URL(string: "https://your-web-app-url.com") {
            webView.load(URLRequest(url: url))
        }
    }
}

Using the iOS Bridge in Your Web App

The native bridge will automatically be detected by Universal NFC when your web app runs inside the native iOS app's WebView:

import { Nfc } from 'universal-nfc';

const nfc = new Nfc();

async function checkNfcSupport() {
  const { enabled } = await nfc.isEnabled();
  console.log('NFC supported and enabled:', enabled);
  
  if (enabled) {
    await nfc.startScanSession();
    
    await nfc.addListener('tagDetected', (tag) => {
      console.log('NFC tag detected via iOS bridge:', tag);
    });
  }
}

Troubleshooting iOS-Specific Issues

"NFC reading is not supported in web browsers on iOS"

• This error occurs when trying to use NFC in Safari or a standard WebView.
• Solution: Use the native bridge approach with a custom iOS app.

"CoreNFC framework missing"

• Make sure you have the proper entitlements in your iOS app.
• Check that your iOS device supports NFC (iPhone 7 and later).

"Bridge communication error"

• Check the bridge implementation in your native app.
• Verify message format passed between WebView and native code.

API Reference

Core API (Nfc class)

The Nfc class provides comprehensive access to NFC functionality.

import { Nfc } from "universal-nfc";

const nfc = new Nfc();

Methods

• isEnabled(): Promise<{enabled: boolean}> - Check if NFC is available
• openSettings(): Promise<void> - Open NFC settings or provide guidance
• startScanSession(options?): Promise<void> - Start scanning for NFC tags
  • options.once: Stop after first tag (default: false)
  • options.scanSoundEnabled: Play sound on detection (iOS only, default: false)
  • options.alertMessageEnabled: Show alert on start (iOS only, default: false)
• stopScanSession(): Promise<void> - Stop scanning for NFC tags
• write(options): Promise<void> - Write NDEF data to a tag
• format(): Promise<void> - Format a tag
• erase(): Promise<void> - Erase a tag's content
• makeReadOnly(): Promise<void> - Make a tag read-only (permanent)
• addListener(eventName, callback): Promise<{remove: () => Promise<void>}> - Register event listener
• removeAllListeners(): Promise<void> - Remove all event listeners

Events

• tagDetected: Fires when an NFC tag is detected
• nfcStatusChanged: Fires when NFC availability changes

Simple API (SimpleNfc class)

The SimpleNfc class provides a simplified interface for common NFC operations.

import { SimpleNfc } from "universal-nfc";

const nfc = new SimpleNfc();

Methods

• isAvailable(): Promise<boolean> - Check if NFC is available
• startReading(callback): Promise<void> - Start reading tags with a simplified callback
  • callback(content, type): Called with the tag's content and type ('text', 'url', or 'other')
• stopReading(): Promise<void> - Stop reading tags
• writeText(text): Promise<void> - Write text to a tag
• writeUrl(url): Promise<void> - Write URL to a tag

Utilities (NfcUtils)

import { NfcUtils } from "universal-nfc";

Methods

• createTextRecord(text, languageCode?): Create a text NDEF record
• createUriRecord(uri): Create a URI NDEF record
• createMessage(records): Create an NDEF message from records
• getTextFromTag(tag): Extract text content from a tag
• getUrlFromTag(tag): Extract URL content from a tag
• isWebNfcSupported(): Check if Web NFC API is supported
• isNfcLikelyAvailable(): Check if device likely has NFC hardware

Advanced Usage

Using the Core API for Tag Reading

import { Nfc } from "universal-nfc";

const nfc = new Nfc();

async function setupNfcReader() {
	try {
		const { enabled } = await nfc.isEnabled();

		if (!enabled) {
			console.log("NFC is not enabled or supported");
			return;
		}

		// Register tag detection handler
		await nfc.addListener("tagDetected", (tag) => {
			console.log("Tag ID:", tag.id);
			console.log("Technology types:", tag.techTypes);

			// Process NDEF messages
			if (tag.messages && tag.messages.length > 0) {
				for (const message of tag.messages) {
					for (const record of message.records) {
						console.log("Record type:", record.type);
						console.log("Record payload:", record.payload);

						// Handle different record types
						if (record.type === "T") {
							console.log("Text:", record.text || record.payload);
						} else if (record.type === "U") {
							console.log("URL:", record.uri || record.payload);
						}
					}
				}
			}
		});

		// Start scanning
		await nfc.startScanSession();
		console.log("NFC scanning started");
	} catch (error) {
		console.error("NFC setup error:", error);
	}
}

function cleanupNfcReader() {
	nfc
		.stopScanSession()
		.then(() => nfc.removeAllListeners())
		.then(() => {
			console.log("NFC reader cleaned up");
		})
		.catch(console.error);
}

Writing Custom Record Types

import { Nfc, NfcTnf, NfcUtils } from "universal-nfc";

const nfc = new Nfc();

async function writeCustomData() {
	// Create a custom record
	const customRecord = {
		id: "",
		tnf: NfcTnf.MIME_MEDIA,
		type: "application/json",
		payload: JSON.stringify({ id: 123, name: "Custom Data" }),
	};

	// Create a message with the custom record and a text record
	const textRecord = NfcUtils.createTextRecord("This tag contains custom data");
	const message = NfcUtils.createMessage([textRecord, customRecord]);

	try {
		// Write the message to a tag
		await nfc.write({ message });
		console.log("Tag written successfully! Tap a tag to write.");
	} catch (error) {
		console.error("Error writing tag:", error);
	}
}

Handling NFC in a React Application

import React, { useState, useEffect } from "react";
import { SimpleNfc } from "universal-nfc";

function NfcReader() {
	const [isReading, setIsReading] = useState(false);
	const [isAvailable, setIsAvailable] = useState(false);
	const [tagContent, setTagContent] = useState("");
	const [error, setError] = useState("");
	const nfcReader = React.useMemo(() => new SimpleNfc(), []);

	useEffect(() => {
		// Check if NFC is available when component mounts
		nfcReader
			.isAvailable()
			.then((available) => {
				setIsAvailable(available);
				if (!available) {
					setError("NFC is not available on this device or browser");
				}
			})
			.catch((err) => {
				setError("Error checking NFC availability: " + err.message);
			});

		// Cleanup when component unmounts
		return () => {
			if (isReading) {
				nfcReader.stopReading().catch(console.error);
			}
		};
	}, [nfcReader]);

	const startReading = async () => {
		try {
			setError("");
			setIsReading(true);

			await nfcReader.startReading((content, type) => {
				setTagContent(`${type}: ${content}`);
			});
		} catch (err) {
			setError("Error starting NFC: " + err.message);
			setIsReading(false);
		}
	};

	const stopReading = async () => {
		try {
			await nfcReader.stopReading();
			setIsReading(false);
		} catch (err) {
			setError("Error stopping NFC: " + err.message);
		}
	};

	return (
		<div>
			<h2>NFC Reader</h2>

			{error && <div className="error">{error}</div>}

			<div>
				<button
					onClick={isReading ? stopReading : startReading}
					disabled={!isAvailable}>
					{isReading ? "Stop Reading" : "Start Reading"}
				</button>
			</div>

			{isReading && <p>Ready to scan: tap an NFC tag against your device</p>}

			{tagContent && (
				<div className="tag-content">
					<h3>Tag Content:</h3>
					<p>{tagContent}</p>
				</div>
			)}
		</div>
	);
}

export default NfcReader;

Requirements for PWA Integration

To use NFC in a Progressive Web App (PWA):

1. HTTPS: Your app must be served over HTTPS (except for localhost during development)
2. Web App Manifest: Include an appropriate manifest file:

{
	"name": "NFC Reader App",
	"short_name": "NFC App",
	"start_url": "/",
	"display": "standalone",
	"background_color": "#ffffff",
	"theme_color": "#4285f4",
	"icons": [
		{
			"src": "icon-192.png",
			"sizes": "192x192",
			"type": "image/png"
		},
		{
			"src": "icon-512.png",
			"sizes": "512x512",
			"type": "image/png"
		}
	]
}

3. Service Worker: Register a service worker to make your app work offline

// register-sw.js
if ("serviceWorker" in navigator) {
	window.addEventListener("load", () => {
		navigator.serviceWorker
			.register("/service-worker.js")
			.then((registration) => {
				console.log("Service Worker registered");
			})
			.catch((error) => {
				console.error("Service Worker registration failed:", error);
			});
	});
}

4. Permission Policy: You may need to include a permission policy header for NFC:

Permissions-Policy: nfc=self

Troubleshooting

NFC Not Working

1. Check Compatibility: Ensure you're using Chrome 89+ on Android
2. HTTPS Required: Make sure your app is served over HTTPS (except on localhost)
3. NFC Hardware: Verify your device has NFC hardware
4. NFC Enabled: Ensure NFC is enabled in your device settings
5. Permission: The user must grant permission when prompted
6. Tag Positioning: Position the tag correctly against the NFC sensor

Common Errors

• "NotSupportedError": Browser doesn't support Web NFC API
• "NotAllowedError": User denied permission or NFC is disabled
• "NetworkError": Problem communicating with the NFC tag
• "AbortError": The operation was cancelled
• "NotFoundError": No NFC tag in range or tag removed too quickly

License

MIT