Apple's NFC Ambitions Extend Beyond Apple Pay to Building Security, Transit Ticketing

nxp_pn65_nfcApple is pushing NFC in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus for Apple Pay, but the company may have bigger plans for the wireless technology beyond mobile payments. A report from The Information claims Apple has been in talks with technology providers about using NFC for building security access and public transit ticketing.

The Apple representatives have talked to technology providers like HID Global and Cubic, which enable secure access to buildings and transit fare systems, respectively, said people briefed on the discussions. Spokespeople for the companies declined to comment about any discussions with Apple, but executives there discussed how they could integrate their systems with the iPhone.

Apple debuted NFC in its iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and is using the short-range wireless technology for mobile payments processing.The technology has wide-ranging applications beyond payments, including a replacement for office and hotel security cards, home automation processes and more.

Besides the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, Apple has also included an NFC chip in the new iPad Air 2 and Retina iPad Mini 3 to provide secure element of Apple Pay information for in-app purposes on those devices. Future iterations of the device, could however, add antennas and other components to enable NFC functionality for a variety of purposes.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Next Month With These 12 New Features

Wednesday August 20, 2025 1:23 pm PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should be unveiled in a few more weeks, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Just Weeks Away: Eight Reasons to Upgrade

Wednesday August 20, 2025 6:44 am PDT by
We're only weeks away from Apple's annual iPhone event – rumored to take place on September 9 – and along with the new iPhone 17 series, we're going to get a new version of the Apple Watch Ultra for the first time since 2023. By the time the Ultra 3 is unveiled, it will have been two years since the previous model arrived. The intervening period has left plenty of room for enhancements,...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet Now Available in 10 U.S. States

Wednesday August 20, 2025 12:00 pm PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. This week, Apple announced the 10th U.S. state that has implemented the feature: Montana. Below, we have recapped key details about...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

When Is iPhone 17 Coming Out?

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. To unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely...
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Dark Teal

Apple TV+ Price Increase Announced

Thursday August 21, 2025 7:26 am PDT by
Apple today raised the monthly price of its Apple TV+ streaming service to $12.99 in the U.S., according to 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo. Apple TV+ cost just $4.99 per month in the U.S. when it launched in 2019, but the price has now increased three times. The price went up to $6.99 per month in 2022, and then to $9.99 per month in 2023, and now the service costs $12.99 per month. The latest...
techwoven cases 1

Colors for Alleged 'TechWoven' iPhone 17 Cases Shown Off in New Images

Thursday August 21, 2025 2:33 pm PDT by
Apple is designing new "TechWoven" cases for the iPhone 17, with photos of some of the alleged case colors shared today by leaker Majin Bu. The cases feature a muted, fabric design in colors that appear to include black, blue, green, purple, and orange. The TechWoven cases will reportedly replace the fabric-like FineWoven casesthat Apple discontinued with the iPhone 16 launch. The FineWoven...

Top Rated Comments

A MacBook lover Avatar
141 months ago
Under promise, over deliver.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SanJacinto Avatar
141 months ago
So, now NFC is the big thing in Apple's cosmos.
Why?
I think they had to work on all that stuff, Apple Pay, transit ticketing, etc. for a long time not just one year, right?
Or did Apple decided in January 2014 that NFC could be useful for the above mentioned ideas?!

Therefore my question: Why wasn't NFC included in the iPhone 5s?
They knew that NFC will be needed in a future iPhone (and "future" here is defined as one year). So, why not including it??

I really love this company, truly I do. Steve and Apple shaped me and how I think about life and about my career path since I am 10 (1994).
But right now, Apple is playing games with its customers and I don't like it.
I can remember 1997 so I never criticised Apple's high margins. I am always happy when they crush the competition.

But, there are loyal customers guys like you and me that pay the higher price because we love Apple (in the past when they were small and now, ruling the industry) we know that the products are worth it but looking on this behaviour (also the iPad Mini update) makes me feel bad.
Right now, Apple doesn't treat their customers with respect.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeremy1026 Avatar
141 months ago
Maybe they should worry about getting apple pay to be accepted at local drugstores first

That's like telling Apple they should fix the United States' health care system, just because they have the Health app. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
141 months ago
Bring it on! Apple was late to the party but they can bring a ton of goodies for everyone at the party to enjoy.

others came early to the party but Apple is the one that get the party started. Others are "chit-chat " while waiting for Apple to come to the party.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dwman Avatar
141 months ago
This would be the bees knees, especially for transit. Imagine not having to buy a proprietary transit card card for every city you're in. Just hold your phone up and the fare is paid. Genius.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BJMRamage Avatar
141 months ago
would like to use my iPhone to enter my work rather than the HID Card.

that way I can keep holding my phone and not need to switch to the wallet.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)