Yes, you can scan RFID with an iPhone, but only if the tag uses NFC (Near Field Communication), which is a specific type of high-frequency RFID operating at 13.56 MHz. Your iPhone cannot scan low-frequency (125 kHz) or ultra-high-frequency (UHF) RFID tags, which are common in industrial tracking and older access control systems.
Which RFID tags can an iPhone scan?
Your iPhone is equipped with an NFC chip, not a universal RFID reader. This means it can read NFC Forum tag types 1 through 5, including NTAG, MIFARE (excluding Classic), ICODE, and FeliCa tags. All of these are high-frequency (HF) RFID tags. However, iPhones cannot natively read low-frequency (125 kHz) tags used in many building access cards or ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tags used for warehouse inventory and asset tracking. If you need to scan those industrial or secure tags, you will require an external Bluetooth RFID reader paired with a companion app. For compatible HF credentials, you can then copy rfid card to iPhone to use your phone as the key. The same HF technology powers the rfid chip in us passport, which your iPhone can detect on the back cover.
How to scan an RFID tag with your iPhone
For iPhone XS, XR, and newer models (including iPhone 17) running iOS 11 or later, scanning compatible NFC tags is automatic. The NFC antenna is located at the top rear of the device, near the camera module.
- Wake your iPhone's screen (it does not need to be unlocked for background reading).
- Hold the top back of your iPhone near the NFC tag, within a few centimeters (up to about 4 inches).
- Your iPhone will automatically detect the tag and display a notification. Tap the notification to view the tag's content.
This background reading works automatically without needing to open any app. However, background tag reading is not available when an NFC scanning sheet is visible, Wallet or Apple Pay are in use, the cameras are in use, the device is in Airplane Mode, or the device is locked after a restart.
What to do if automatic scanning doesn't work
If your iPhone does not automatically detect the tag, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Use a third-party NFC reader app. Download an app from the App Store that uses Apple's Core NFC framework. These apps can read NFC Forum tag types and may provide more detailed information about the tag.
- Check for metal interference. Metal surfaces can block or weaken the NFC signal. Remove the tag from any metal backing or move it away from metal objects before scanning.
- Verify the tag is an NFC type. If the tag is a low-frequency (125 kHz) or UHF tag, your iPhone cannot read it natively. You will need an external Bluetooth RFID reader for those tags.
- Ensure your iPhone is not in a restricted state. Background reading is disabled when the device is in Airplane Mode, when the cameras are active, or when the device was recently restarted and is still locked.
Limitations of iPhone RFID scanning
While your iPhone can read many NFC tags, there are important limitations. The read range is very short, typically within a few centimeters (up to 4 inches). You cannot read secure RFID tags, such as those used for contactless payments or many building access systems, due to security protocols and hardware limitations. This also means you cannot clone building access cards with your iPhone. For industrial or commercial RFID tags (like those used in warehouse inventory), you must use an external Bluetooth RFID reader connected to your iPhone via a companion app.
If you are concerned about unauthorized scanning of your personal NFC tags, you can make an RFID protector sleeve or wallet that blocks NFC signals, which is a common way to prevent unwanted reads of your cards and tags.
