Quick Answer: To turn off NFC on your Android phone, go to Settings > Connected Devices (or Connections) > NFC and toggle it OFF. You can also disable it quickly from the Quick Settings Panel by tapping the NFC icon.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a feature found in many Android smartphones. It allows devices to communicate when they are close to each other. NFC is useful for contactless payments, data sharing, and pairing with other devices. However, some people prefer to turn it off for security reasons, battery savings, or because they do not use it.
Turning off NFC on your Android phone is simple. In this guide, you will learn how to disable NFC step by step. The steps might be slightly different depending on your phone brand and Android version. Let’s get started.
What is NFC?
NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology. It allows two devices to exchange data when they are a few centimeters apart. Many Android phones use NFC for contactless payments, like Google Pay and Samsung Pay. NFC is also used for fast pairing with Bluetooth devices and transferring files using Android Beam (older versions).
While NFC is useful, it is not needed all the time. Some users turn it off to save battery or avoid accidental transactions.
Why Turn Off NFC?
There are several reasons to turn off NFC:
- Battery Saving – NFC uses minimal battery, but turning it off can help in some cases.
- Security Concerns – Disabling NFC prevents unauthorized access to your phone’s NFC feature.
- Avoiding Accidental Payments – Some users worry about accidental payments when NFC is enabled.
- No Use for NFC – If you don’t use NFC, there’s no need to keep it on.
- Interference with Other Devices – Some users experience interference with NFC-enabled cards or other gadgets.
Now, let’s go through the steps to turn off NFC on different Android devices.
How to Check if Your Phone Has NFC
Before you turn off NFC, you need to check if your phone has this feature.
Method 1: Check in Settings
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Scroll down and tap “Connected Devices” or “Connections” (the name may vary).
- Look for “NFC” or “Near Field Communication.”
- If you see the NFC option, your phone has NFC.
Method 2: Use the Quick Settings Panel
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings.
- Look for the NFC icon (usually looks like an “N”).
- If you see it, your phone has NFC.
How to Turn Off NFC on Android
Method 1: Using Phone Settings
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Tap “Connected Devices” or “Connections” (on some phones, it may be under “More Connections”).
- Find and tap “NFC.”
- Toggle the switch to OFF.
- NFC is now disabled.
This method works on most Android phones, but some brands have different settings.
Method 2: Turn Off NFC Using the Quick Settings Panel
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings Panel.
- If you don’t see the NFC icon, swipe down again to expand the full panel.
- Look for the NFC icon (it usually looks like the letter “N” or has “NFC” written under it).
- Tap the NFC icon to turn it OFF.
- The icon will no longer be highlighted, which means NFC is disabled.
Also read: Detect Hidden Listening Devices Using Your Android Phone
If You Don’t See the NFC Icon:
- Swipe down twice to fully expand the Quick Settings panel.
- Tap the Edit button (it may look like a pencil or three dots, depending on your phone).
- Look for the NFC tile in the available options.
- Drag it into the active Quick Settings panel if needed.
- Now you can turn NFC off easily whenever you want.
This method is the fastest way to disable NFC, especially if you use it often and want quick control.
How to Turn Off NFC on Popular Android Brands
1. Samsung Phones
Samsung devices have NFC in the settings under Connections. Here’s how to turn it off:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Connections.”
- Look for “NFC and Contactless Payments.”
- Toggle NFC off.
On some Samsung phones, you might see “Tap and Pay” instead of NFC. Turning off NFC will disable contactless payments.
2. Google Pixel Phones
If you use a Google Pixel phone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Connected Devices.”
- Select “Connection Preferences.”
- Tap “NFC.”
- Toggle OFF.
Your Google Pixel phone will no longer use NFC.
3. OnePlus Phones
OnePlus phones also have NFC, but it’s found under different settings.
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Wi-Fi & Network.”
- Select “NFC.”
- Toggle NFC off.
NFC is now disabled on your OnePlus device.
4. Xiaomi Phones
Some Xiaomi devices support NFC. Here’s how to disable it:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Connection & Sharing.”
- Find “NFC.”
- Toggle OFF.
On some Xiaomi phones, NFC might be under More Settings.
5. Oppo and Realme Phones
For Oppo and Realme devices, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Connection & Sharing.”
- Select “NFC.”
- Turn OFF NFC.
These steps work for most Oppo and Realme phones.
6. Motorola Phones
If you use a Motorola device, follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “Connected Devices.”
- Select “Connection Preferences.”
- Tap “NFC.”
- Toggle OFF.
NFC is now turned off on your Motorola phone.
Can NFC Turn Itself Back On?
In most cases, NFC stays off until you turn it back on. However, some features might enable NFC automatically, like:
- Software Updates – Sometimes, system updates reset settings.
- Google Pay or Samsung Pay – These apps might ask you to enable NFC.
- Third-Party Apps – Some apps require NFC and might prompt you to turn it on.
To prevent NFC from turning on automatically, keep an eye on your settings after updates.
Turning off NFC on an Android phone is simple. You can do it from Settings or the Quick Settings Panel. Disabling NFC can help improve security, prevent accidental payments, and save some battery life.
Each Android brand has slightly different steps, but they all follow the same basic process. If you ever need NFC again, you can turn it back on using the same steps.
Now that you know how to disable NFC, you can control when and how you use this feature. If you have any issues, check your phone’s settings or restart your device.