What does the N symbol on your Android phone mean? We explain the background and possibilities

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In the status bar of your phone, a number of symbols inform you about various things. The N stands for an exciting technology that is worth using.

What does the N stand for? Modern cell phones contain all sorts of interesting technology, some of which we are very familiar with, while others are less familiar. The N belongs to the latter, but it stands for a useful chip inside it: NFC, or Near Field Communication.

We explain why you should get to grips with the technology, because your phone will most likely be able to handle it.

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Short range, far-reaching possibilities

What is Near Field Communication (NFC)? In German it is called near-field communication and that already tells half the story. This tiny chip in your cell phone can exchange data with others of its kind over a distance of just a few centimeters. Have you ever seen someone pay with their smartphone at the supermarket checkout? That’s where NFC comes into play.

How can I activate NFC? With iOS, you never have to do it manually because it is switched on by default and cannot be deactivated. There is also no symbol for NFC in the status bar.

To check the status on Android, either go to Connections under Settings or look for the option labeled NFC in the quick menu.

Do I always see the NFC symbol? When the N symbol appears depends on the manufacturer of your phone. There are models where it is always active as soon as NFC is switched on in the menu. For some, you have to pull the status bar down to see it, including current Galaxy phones. Some, like Google’s Pixel phones, always hide it, regardless of whether it is in standby or actively exchanging data.

Does NFC use a lot of battery? No, the energy requirement of an actively communicating NFC chip or one in standby mode is very low. Anyone who switches it off to save power will be disappointed.

What is NFC used for?

  • Contactless payment: The most common case, as described above.
  • Data exchange between mobile phones: If two mobile phones are allowed, they can exchange data.
  • Alternative to QR codes: Similar to QR codes, you can hold your phone up to the screen to access additional information or websites. NFC tags are used for this.
  • You can also set up these tags yourself and use them at home to control smart home devices or to create and read digital lists of contents for storage boxes. The versatility of the technology is enormous and ideal for anyone who enjoys experimenting with technology.

    • Misuse or danger of NFC?

    Shouldn’t I turn NFC off when I’m not using it? If you are absolutely sure that you never want to use it, just turn it off.

    Otherwise, three factors help to secure NFC:

  • Short range: You have to hold your device really close to tags or other chips for a connection to be established.
  • Encryption of every transmission
  • Transactions must always be confirmed by you

    • The main risk with NFC is randomly reading tags whose creators are unknown. In theory, one of these could be stuck to a park bench around the corner. Only scan if you are sure that it is an official tag.

    If, after this excursion into the status bar of your phone, you would like to know more about the symbols found there, we can also recommend the following story on MeinMMO: Here we explain in detail what the various arrow-like symbols stand for and what you need to pay attention to.

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