# Core Nfc

Read and write NFC tags using CoreNFC.

- Repository: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills (1266 stars)
- Category: Mobile
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-07-31
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill core-nfc -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill core-nfc -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill core-nfc -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill core-nfc -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills`

## Description

Read and write NFC tags using CoreNFC. Use when scanning NDEF tags, reading ISO7816/ISO15693/FeliCa/MIFARE tags, writing NDEF messages, handling NFC session lifecycle, configuring NFC entitlements, or implementing background tag reading in iOS apps.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# CoreNFC

Read and write NFC tags on iPhone using the CoreNFC framework. Covers NDEF
reader sessions, tag reader sessions, NDEF message construction, entitlements,
and background tag reading.

## Contents

- [Setup](#setup)
- [NDEF Reader Session](#ndef-reader-session)
- [Tag Reader Session](#tag-reader-session)
- [Writing NDEF Messages](#writing-ndef-messages)
- [NDEF Payload Types](#ndef-payload-types)
- [Background Tag Reading](#background-tag-reading)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)

## Setup

### Project Configuration

1. Add the **Near Field Communication Tag Reading** capability in Xcode
2. Add `NFCReaderUsageDescription` to Info.plist with a user-facing reason string
3. Add the `com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.formats` entitlement with the current `TAG` value; do not add legacy `NDEF`
4. For ISO 7816 tags, add supported application identifiers to `com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.iso7816.select-identifiers` in Info.plist
5. For FeliCa tags, add supported system codes to `com.apple.developer.nfc.readersession.felica.systemcodes`; do not use wildcard system codes

### Device Requirements

NFC reading requires iPhone 7 or later. Always check for reader session
availability before creating NFC UI or sessions. Use the concrete reader
session type you are about to create.

```swift
import CoreNFC

guard NFCNDEFReaderSession.readingAvailable else {
    // Device does not support NFC or feature is restricted
    showUnsupportedMessage()
    return
}
```

### Key Types

| Type | Role |
|---|---|
| `NFCNDEFReaderSession` | Scans for NDEF-formatted tags |
| `NFCTagReaderSession` | Scans for ISO7816, ISO15693, FeliCa, MIFARE tags |
| `NFCNDEFMessage` | Collection of NDEF payload records |
| `NFCNDEFPayload` | Single record within an NDEF message |
| `NFCNDEFTag` | Protocol for interacting with an NDEF-capable tag |

## NDEF Reader Session

The rest: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/core-nfc/SKILL.md