Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that allows your Samsung Galaxy S22 to communicate with other NFC-enabled devices. It’s the technology that enables contactless payments, quick device pairing, and the sharing of data between devices.

However, the NFC feature on the Samsung Galaxy S22 sometimes does not work as expected. This guide provides eight potential solutions to address this issue, aiming to fix the NFC feature to work again. Let’s dive right in!

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S22 model (S22, S22 Plus, S22 Fe, and S22 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S22 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Quick Takeaways

• Reasons for the problem include a locked phone, incorrect positioning of the phone, outdated software, or NFC disabled in the device’s settings.
• Effective solutions for the problem are unlocking the phone, holding the phone in the correct position, enabling NFC in settings, or updating software.

Fix 01: Unlock the Phone

The NFC feature is designed to work when your device is unlocked. This is for security reasons of course, so it is ensuring that no unauthorized transactions occur when your phone is locked. However, you can configure your device to allow NFC transactions even when it’s locked.

To do this

• navigate to Settings
• Tap on Lock Screen

• Tap on Smart Lock

• Select Trusted Devices. 

• Here, you can add your NFC-enabled devices. 

Please note: using NFC without unlocking your device exposes you to potential security risks, such as unauthorized payments or data transfers if your phone falls into the wrong hands.

Next, we’ll discuss how to hold your phone properly to ensure NFC works correctly.

Fix 02: Hold the Phone Properly

In order for NFC to work effectively, it’s crucial that you hold your Samsung Galaxy S22 properly.

This is because NFC relies on close proximity between devices to establish a connection. The NFC antenna in your Galaxy S22 is located at the back of the device, near the top. Therefore, when you’re trying to use NFC, you need to align this part of your phone with the NFC reader or the other device you’re trying to connect with.

Here’s how to properly position your device for NFC:

1. Turn your Galaxy S22 so that the back of the device is facing the NFC reader or the other device.
2. Align the top part of your phone (where the NFC antenna is located) with the NFC reader or other device.
3. Hold the devices close together, ideally within a few centimeters.

Please note that the devices must be close enough for the NFC connection to be established. If you’re having trouble, try moving your phone around slightly until the connection is made.

Fix 03: If Using a Magnetic Cover, Remove it

Although Magnetic covers are stylish and protective, they interfere with NFC functionality. The magnetic field generated by these covers can disrupt the NFC’s ability to establish a connection with other devices or payment terminals.

So, remove the magnetic cover and try again. This simple step could potentially solve the problem.

Bonus: When choosing a cover for your Galaxy S22, consider one that doesn’t interfere with the phone’s wireless charging, reverse charging, and NFC features. Many manufacturers specify whether their covers are compatible with these features. Always check the product description or consult the seller before making a purchase to ensure that your phone’s functionality won’t be compromised.

Fix 04: Ensure NFC is Enabled in Settings

Before you use the NFC feature on your Samsung Galaxy S22, you need to ensure that it is enabled in your phone’s settings. This is a critical step as your device won’t recognize or interact with NFC tags or devices if this feature is turned off.

Here’s how to check and enable NFC on your Galaxy S22:

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to bring the notification panel.
2. Tap on NFC icon.

Note: The NFC feature consumes battery power. So, if you’re not using it, keep it turned off to save battery life. However, if you’re trying to use NFC and it’s not working, ensuring that it’s enabled is the first troubleshooting step.

Fix 05: Restart Your Galaxy S22

Restarting your Galaxy S22 helps to clear out any temporary software glitches or bugs that are causing the NFC feature to malfunction.

Besides, restarting your phone also clears the system cache and closes unnecessary apps running in the background, thereby enhancing the overall performance of your device.

To restart your Galaxy S22, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the power button and volume down button simultaneously.

2. Once the power menu appears, tap on “Restart”.

3. Confirm your action if prompted.

After your device restarts, use the NFC feature to see if the issue is resolved. 

Fix 06: Update Default Payment App

If assigned, the default payment app plays a crucial role in the functioning of the NFC feature on your Samsung Galaxy S22. This app is responsible for processing contactless payments, facilitated by NFC. 

(Examples of popular payment apps include Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.)

If your NFC isn’t working as expected, there’s a possibility that your default payment app is outdated or faulty. Updating your payment app resolves these issues by introducing bug fixes and enhancements that improve the app’s performance and compatibility with NFC.

Here’s how to update your default payment app:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Galaxy S22.
2. Tap on the profile icon at the top-left corner of the screen.

3. Select “Manage apps and device”.

4. Under the “Manage” tab, select “updates available” button, and look for your default payment app. If an update is available, it will be listed here.

5. Tap on the app, and then tap the “Update” button to download and install the latest version.

Once the update is complete, check if the issue has been resolved. 

If the payment app is already up-to-date, consider checking its settings to ensure it’s properly configured for NFC/contactless payments. 

Fix 07: Clear NFC Service App Data

The NFC Service app is like the brain behind the NFC feature, controlling how it interacts with other devices and applications. However, like any other app, it accumulates data over time, which could lead to glitches or malfunctions.

Clearing this data resolves any issues you’re experiencing with NFC.

But what happens when you clear the NFC Service app data? Essentially, it resets the app to its default state, as if you’ve just installed it. This means any customized settings or data related to NFC will be erased. However, this doesn’t affect your personal data or other app data on your device.

To clear the NFC Service app data, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your Galaxy S22.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Apps”.
3. In the list of apps, find and tap on “NFC Service”.

4. Tap on “Storage”.
5. Finally, tap on “Clear Data” and confirm your action.

Fix 08: Do a Software Update

Software updates just don’t bring new features to your device. They also include bug fixes and improvements for existing features. It also resolves compatibility issues with other apps or services on your device.

If the NFC is still not working, it is likely a bug that has been addressed in a more recent software update. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep your device updated with the latest version.

Here’s how to check for software updates:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Battery and device care”.

3. Scroll down and tap on “Software update”.

4. Tap on “Download and install”.

5. Your device will check for updates. If an update is available, follow the notification to download and install it.

Fix 09: Reset All Settings

Resetting all settings will revert your device to its factory defaults. This means that any customizations you’ve made to the settings, such as Wi-Fi passwords, paired Bluetooth devices, and personal preferences for system and app notifications, will be lost.

Therefore, after resetting all settings, you may need to set up your device again. This includes re-entering Wi-Fi passwords, re-pairing Bluetooth devices, and re-configuring your personal preferences for system and app notifications.

Here’s how to reset all settings:

1. Go to “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General Management”.
3. Tap on “Reset”.

4. Tap on “Reset all settings”.

5. Confirm.

Wrapping Up

Technology is unpredictable, but with the right steps and a little patience, most problems can be resolved. We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving any NFC issues you’ve been experiencing with your Samsung Galaxy S22.

If this guide has helped you, please consider sharing it with others experiencing the same issues. If you have any questions regarding this guide, feel free to leave a comment below. We will be there to help you!