Do you keep getting NFC tag notifications? So, what is NFC tag detected Cash App? Explore this wireless technology and what you should do about it.
As a new Cash App user, feeling a bit lost is normal. For instance, you might get an “NFC tag detected” pop-up, which can get slightly annoying.
So, what does NFC Tag Detected Cash App mean, and what should you do about it?
NFC tag detected on Cash App are automatically notified when your Cash App Card and in-built NFC technology devices such as a Phone comes too close within 10 cm of each other. You can stop the persistent pop-ups by storing them away from one another.
Aside from that, is there another way of stopping “NFC tag detected” notifications? Do they signal a security breach? And are NFC tags any good?
Keep reading to find out.
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What Does NFC tag detect Mean on Cash App?
A Cash App card and a passive device with an NFC tag, within two or four inches from your smartphone, an active device with inbuilt NFC technology interact and ask you to open your Cash App account, hence the “NFC tag detected” pop-up.
For example, you may put your Cash App card in your phone case or your wallet next to your phone.
About NFC
You’ll find NFC prevalent in the U.S. and Europe. As mentioned, it’s short for Near Field Communication.
When laptops, phones, tablets, and so on are NFC devices, they can share data if they’re close via radio waves.
Years ago, NFC devices would have to be less than four inches apart, but now it’s down to two inches.
The best part is that this wireless communication technology doesn’t require a power source, as it relies on electromagnetic induction.
So, one of the devices involved can be a sticker or poster. Now, there are three NFC modes that any active NFC device encompasses:
- Reader/Writer: This mode is helpful in tag reading on NFC posters.
- Peer-to-Peer: This is an outdated method of transferring files.
- Card Emulation: This NFC mode enables contactless payments.
This NFC mode is what concerns us, and it’s when a passive device has an NFC tag. These physical tags contain chips that manufacturers program to provide specific data to your active device or make it perform a particular action. The passive device uses power from the active device, the NFC reader, to transmit data to it.
For example, you can find NFC tags on wristbands, cards, stickers, restaurant menus (providing access to their latest versions), and desks (disabling GPS and enabling work-related notifications only).
But, in your case, we’re probably talking about the Cash App card transmitting data to your smartphone.
How to Stop “NFC Tag Detected” Cash App Notifications?
Of course, you can merely ignore them, but you probably want to stop them from popping up altogether. So, here are the solutions:
1. Store Your Phone and Card Separately
Since NFC technology works only within about four or two inches, keeping your smartphone and Cash App card farther apart should do the trick.
2. Lock Your Cash App Card
It’s easy to disable Cash App cards, which should stop them from sending notifications to your phone. However, you’ll have to unlock the card to use it. We’ll show you how to lock your card temporarily:
- Open Cash App.
- Select the “Cash card” tab.
- Click “Lock Card.”
3. Disable NFC on Your Phone
Turning off NFC takes the active reader out of the equation, putting an end to the notifications. Also, you can always turn it back on when needed.
If you have an Android, you may find the NFC option in your quick setting, so disable it. If it isn’t there, here’s what you should do on a new Android device:
- Go to “Settings” on your phone.
- Click “Connection preferences”.
- Disable NFC from the menu that appears.
Otherwise, you can switch off NFC on old Android devices by following these steps:
- Tap “settings”.
- Choose “Wireless and Networks.”
- Click on “More.”
- Tap the “Near Field Communication” checkbox to disable it.
As for iPhones, there’s no on/off switch for NFC. Instead, your device enables and disables it depending on the app you’re using and whether it requires NFC or not.
Is NFC Safe?
Automatic connections and data sharing sound like risky business. Could the “NFC tag detected notification” signal a scam attempt?
For one, we have to remember that NFC requires both devices to be super close, giving the technology some security.
But what if the hacker bumps into you? It’d still be difficult for them to establish a connection because NFC signals are super accurate when it comes to directions.
So, both devices would have to be practically touching at just the right angle for the scammer to grab your signal.
Not to mention, the hacker can’t access the encrypted credit card information on your phone unless you activate it at an NFC POS terminal or so.
Overall, we’d say that NFC is mostly safe. And you can be even safer by following these precautions.
- Don’t exchange information with people you don’t trust by bumping phones.
- Only tap tags that are physically protected (behind plastic or glass).
- When tapping a tag, watch how your phone responds and if any sketchy tag pop-ups appear.
Conclusion
Ultimately, if you get an “NFC tag detected pop-up” to open Cash App, it’s likely that your phone’s inbuilt NFC technology is reading your Cash App card’s NFC tag.
Since this technology requires both devices to be close, you can store your Cash App card away from your phone to stop getting notifications. Also, you can turn off NFC on your phone or lock your Cash App card.
For any other day, it is quite normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you are really concerned about it and want to stop getting notified, you can use the above steps to disable the notification.
For any queries, let us know in the comments below and we will try our best to help you out!