Can all RFID tags be rewritten or reprogrammed?
No—rewritability depends entirely on the tag’s memory architecture . RFID tags fall into three categories:
Read-Only (RO) : Factory-programmed, immutable UIDs (common in anti-counterfeiting)
Write-Once-Read-Many (WORM) : Allows one-time encoding after manufacturing
Read/Write (RW) : Fully rewritable, supporting thousands of update cycles
Over 68% of industrial RFID tags sold today are RW-type for lifecycle tracking.
1. How RFID Rewriting Works: Technical Process
Memory Structure
Rewritable tags partition memory into:
Reserved Bank : Lockable permanent UID
EPC Bank : Stores rewritable product data (e.g., stock numbers)
User Memory : Custom data storage (updates 10k–100k times)
Reprogramming Workflow
Reader Authentication : Authorized device verifies access password
Data Erasure : Overwrites existing EPC/User Memory blocks
New Data Encoding : Writes updated info in hexadecimal/ASCII
Lock Settings : Optional permanent lockdown of memory sectors
Key limitation: UIDs in Reserved Banks are rarely rewritable—physical replacement needed for ID changes.
2. Top Applications for Rewritable RFID
Industry Use Case Data Rewritten Retail Dynamic pricing Promotions, discounts Manufacturing Work-in-progress Quality test results Logistics Reusable pallets Route history, handler ID Healthcare Patient records Medication schedules
Cykeo ’s RW tags cut hospital asset-tagging costs by 92% vs. single-use tags.
3. Security & Compatibility Considerations
Risks
Unauthorized Rewriting : Password-protect writers to prevent data tampering
Write Fatigue : EEPROM memory degrades after ~100,000 cycles
Frequency Mismatch : Ensure reader supports tag’s RF band (e.g., 902-928 MHz UHF)
Best Practices
AES-128 encrypt write commands
Use “kill” commands to deactivate retired tags
Audit rewrite history via cloud logs
4. Rewritable vs. Non-Rewritable Tags
Feature Rewritable RFID Non-Rewritable RFID Memory Type EEPROM/FRAM ROM/PROM Cost Higher upfront (0.20–1) Lower (0.05–0.20) Lifespan 5–10 years Single-use or permanent Environmental Durability ✓ Withstands rewrites in harsh settings ✘ Often disposable
5. Step-by-Step Reprogramming Guide
Tag Selection : Choose high-endurance tags (e.g., FRAM-based)
Software Setup : Connect writer to Cykeo TagSync software
Access Control : Enter encryption password
Field Rewriting :
Select target memory bank (EPC/User)
Enter new data (text/hex values)
Apply cyclic redundancy check (CRC)
Verification : Scan tag to confirm updates
6. Future Innovations
Quantum-Tunneling Chips : Rewrite 1M+ times without degradation
DNA Storage Tags : Microbial data encoding for ultra-high capacity
Cykeo’s Project Phoenix : Self-destructing tags via voltage overload