Your NFC keytag is fully customizable—use it however it suits you.
You can program it to store a phone number, email address, Wi-Fi credentials, emergency contact details, trigger an SMS message, or much more.
Personally, I steer clear of storing my home address. If someone finds your keys, giving them both the key and the location it unlocks isn’t the safest move. Instead, I’ve set my tag to trigger an SMS. When it’s scanned, the finder’s phone sends a text directly to mine—automatically. I get their number, and we can arrange to reunite without giving away any personal info like my address.
The tag comes unlocked, just as you received it, so you’re free to edit or reprogram it any time you like.
Check out the screenshots below for step-by-step instructions using the NFC Tools app. (These are from the Android version—iPhone screens may look a bit different.)
Want to nudge first-time users with a short bullet list of popular setup ideas? I can add that as well.
Step 1:
Open the NFC Tools app and tap on “Write”. Then select “+ Add a record” to begin creating the action you want your tag to perform.
Step 2:
Scroll through the list of available options and tap on “SMS” to create a message action that will be sent when your keytag is scanned.
Step 3:
Enter the phone number the SMS should be sent to—this is usually your own number. Then type the message you want the finder to send, like:
“Hey! I found your keys.”
Keep it short—this is the message that will be sent to you automatically when someone scans your tag.
Step 4:
Once your SMS message is entered and ready, tap on “Write” to begin transferring the information to your NFC keytag.
Step 5:
When this screen appears, hold your keytag flat against the back of your phone. You may need to move it slightly to find the exact spot—typically, it’s the same area your phone uses for Apple Pay or Google Pay.
And that’s it—you’re all set!
Your NFC keytag is now programmed and ready to go. If you run into an error, simply return to Step 4 and try again.
Heads-up:
When you write new data to the tag, it will overwrite the link that brought you to these instructions. To avoid losing access, we recommend bookmarking this page or printing it for future reference in case you ever need to reprogram your tag.
How it works:
If someone finds your keys, they simply scan the NFC tag using their phone. It uses the same touchless technology behind Apple Pay and Google Pay—quick, secure, and app-free for most modern smartphones.
📱 Note for iPhone users: iPhones with iOS 13 and newer can scan NFC tags directly from the home screen. Older models may require a free NFC scanning app—just something to keep in mind if you're testing your setup.
When the tag is scanned, their phone automatically sends a text to yours saying, “Hey! I found your keys.” You'll instantly receive their number and can message them to coordinate pickup—without revealing your own address or other personal info.
A quick word on security features:
Using the NFC Tools app, you can also:
Set a password (just be sure to remember it—no password, no reprogramming).
Edit your tag later by removing the password first, making changes, and reapplying it if needed.
Avoid locking the tag permanently unless you're absolutely certain. Once locked, it can never be changed—ever.
Personally, I leave my tags unlocked and unprotected by a password, just like yours arrives. That way, it’s always simple to make updates later on.