What is RFID?

Ever heard of RFID, or Radio-Frequency Identification technology? No? Ever heard of contactless NFC payments through your phone? Well, RFID technology is precisely what makes it possible. Read on to find out more. 

What is RFID technology?

Radio-Frequency Identification is a technology used for reading electronic tags that contain data in them. Think of it as a way for objects to interact with each other without actually coming into contact with each other.

RFID has become increasingly common in the smartphone world, owing to the sheer convenience it offers. Some smartphones come with a chip that can read RFID tags. These RFID tag readers can do everything from contactless payments directly through your credit card, acting as an access keycard for doors, or even be used to scan tickets. 

If your phone with an RFID reader is near these tags, it can capture the information stored on them without actually having to touch them. 

ALSO READ: How a man recovered his stolen car using an AirTag

Another neat trick RFID readers on smartphones have up their sleeve, is locating lost items. If your phone has an RFID reader, and the objects have an RFID tag on them, the former can recognise signals from the latter and help you find them.