Roadmap: Reader Mode Interoperability

By Michael Stark, Board Vice Chair at NFC Forum, and Frank Dawidowsky, Secretary at NFC Forum

NFC Forum plans to deliver end-to-end interoperability testing to confirm that new and updated applications successfully and consistently operate on NFC Forum Certified Devices. The outcome of this activity is to improve NFC Reader Mode reliability across all use cases.

NFC Forum Board Members Michael Stark (MS) and Frank Dawidowsky (FD) share with us the importance of this work item, how it might be delivered and potential timeframes.

1. What are the different elements on NFC Reader Mode that need to be tested?

MS: NFC technology communicates in three ways: Card Emulation Mode, which allows a device to act as a smartcard for access control or to make a payment; Peer-to-Peer Mode, enabling two devices to exchange data directly; and Reader Mode, where a device can read and write data on a passive NFC tag or perform a transaction with another device in Card Emulation Mode.

In Reader Mode, the device generates an electromagnetic (EM) field, which a passive NFC tag can then use to power up its electronics when it is brought within range. The reader device provided field is employed to exchange authorized data between the two devices.

The reader device provided EM field defines the operating volume available for successful data exchange. The aim of the end-to-end testing program is to specify a testing methodology and environment to check consistent performance when reading from, or writing to, tags of any Tag Type within any position of the operating volume.

2. How is NFC Reader Mode being used, and what are the use cases that will benefit from the proposed testing?

FD: There are already many valuable use cases using Reader Mode today. For example, allowing individuals to check the value on a transit card by tapping it on their smartphone or enabling electronic passport holders to view their data in a similar way. An increasingly important use case is accessing the digital product passport (DPP) information of how to re-cycle and re-use a product.

Reader mode payments, otherwise known as Tap-on-Mobile payments or SoftPOS, are another popular example, allowing merchants to use their own NFC-enabled reader device such as a smartphone or wearable to accept contactless payments. This helps lower the barriers of adoption for digital payment acceptance, encouraging financial inclusion across a range of payment platforms.

While the opportunities are endless, for users to accept and adopt reader mode payments, it is essential that the technology can interoperate consistently to achieve familiarity, trust, ease and convenience amongst users.

3. Is testing not already undertaken?

FD: There are application specific tests that can be performed to support individual use cases, such as certain types of payment and proprietary vendor tests. NFC Forum’s offering, however, would be the first overarching standardized NFC Reader Mode interoperability testing that would be delivered end-to-end across all use cases. This would make it an essential foundational testing tool, and has huge potential in achieving a globally standardized and expected technical baseline.

4. How does NFC Forum plan to deliver the testing?

MS: We are still in the planning stage around the mechanics of deploying the tests. Initial work is focused in developing a testing app that will support OS application developers in ensuring new and updated apps successfully operate on NFC Forum Certified Devices.

FD: Additionally, the vision is to share reference test cards and devices to support developers. A decision on whether the final tests are performed by an individual company or qualified laboratory will be made over the coming months as we investigate the commercial practicalities of using the tests.

5. When is this testing offer scheduled to launch?

FD: There is still much work to do, but we are hopeful that this will be delivered in 2026, with a clear action plan for new iterations and testing cycle management.

Reader Mode Interoperability is one of many topics featured in the NFC Forum’s 2026 Technology Roadmap. Keen to learn more? Read the press release.

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