NFC for Access Control

Unlock or lock any door in your life with your phone or wearable without having to carry your keys.

Access control systems using NFC Forum technologies offer a secure and convenient solution for managing entry to buildings, rooms, or secured areas. Feel comfortable and secure knowing that you will be able to access your home, car, or any other secure doorway with simply a tap from your phone or wearable device. And most digital key frameworks make sharing keys with others a snap – and then just a tap. NFC also makes access control convenient without ever compromising on security.

  • Tap your phone or wearable to unlock doors

  • Seamless functionality through both bespoke app solutions and native integration within a digital wallet

  • Door can still be unlocked when your phone is in power reserve mode

  • Share your keys with others and revoke access just as easily

  • Users are already familiar with using NFC, making deployment quick and easy


More and more providers are adding the convenience of tap-based access using NFC Forum technologies.

  • Commercial property owners can issue digital keycards straight to an employee’s phone, cutting the cost of issuing physical cards, streamlining onboarding, and improving security.

  • Homeowners can use, store, and share keys with family members. And if the key holding device is lost or stolen, access can be revoked and swapped to a new device.

  • Hotels can issue keys to guests before arrival, meaning no waiting at the check in desk, then once their stay is over the key can be revoked. No more issuing plastic smartcards that only are used a handful of times.

  • Transit providers can expand the functionality of their smartcard and mobile ticketing solutions to include access to office buildings, hotel rooms and other such premises. This service integration helps to reduce the number of different accounts and cards a user must have, creating a seamless solution for all their needs.

NFC Forum is working to ensure that our standards meet evolving market needs. This helps to ensure consistency of behavior across NFC implementations, sets the foundation for interoperability and, ultimately, empowers solution providers to create next generation access control solutions.

Download "How NFC is Unlocking the Future of Access Control."

Digital Key in action at Hyatt Long Beach