Can Android NFC Read RFID Tags?
You’ve got an Android phone and a handful of RFID tags. It seems like they should work together, right? This is one of the most practical questions we hear from people starting out: Can Android NFC read RFID tags?
Let’s get straight to the practical answer: Yes, your Android’s NFC can read some RFID tags, but with major limitations that usually make it a poor choice for any real business or project beyond a simple demo.
Here’s the straightforward tech explanation. Your Android phone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) chip operates at the 13.56 MHz frequency. This is the same frequency used by a category of RFID technology called High Frequency (HF) RFID. So, when you ask if Android NFC can read RFID tags, you’re really asking if it can read other 13.56 MHz tags.
The answer to that is yes. If you have an HF RFID tag that follows common protocols like ISO 14443A (which most NFC tags and access cards do), you can read its unique ID with a free app like “NFC Tools” or “NFC TagInfo.” Hold the back of your phone near the tag, and it should register.
This is Where the “But” Changes Everything.
Your phone’s NFC is designed for secure, short-range, intentional interactions like Google Pay or pairing Bluetooth speakers. It is not built for the demands of asset tracking or inventory management.
- The “Tap-Required” Reality: The read range is 1-4 centimeters max. You must bring your phone into direct contact or extremely close proximity with the tag. This makes scanning a shelf of items or a pallet of boxes completely impractical. Professional UHF RFID systems read from meters away.
- Wrong Tool for the Most Common Job: Most business RFID applications—warehouse logistics, retail inventory, tool tracking—use UHF RFID (860-960 MHz) for its long range and bulk-reading ability. Your Android NFC cannot read UHF tags. It is physically impossible. It’s like trying to use a car key to unlock a house door; they’re different systems.
- No Bulk Scanning: Your phone reads one tag at a time, slowly and intentionally. It cannot instantly identify 50 items in a box as a warehouse gate reader can.
So, When Is It Actually Useful?
Using Android NFC to read RFID tags is good for specific, small-scale tasks:
- Reading data from an NFC smart poster or product label.
- Using programmable NFC stickers to trigger phone actions (e.g., launch an app, toggle settings).
- Testing or prototyping a basic “tap-to-identify” concept for access or information kiosks.
For any serious commercial, industrial, or logistical application, the answer to “can Android NFC read RFID tags” is effectively no. It reads the wrong kind of RFID tag (HF instead of UHF) and at the wrong range (centimeters instead of meters).
At CYKEO, we engineer the professional UHF RFID systems that solve real business problems. While your phone is great for a quick tap, our readers are built to deliver the distance, speed, and reliability needed to track hundreds of assets automatically and accurately. Use the right tool for the job.

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CYKEO Passive RFID Tags are made for wet and high-humidity environments where standard labels do not last. This rfid passive tag is often used around liquids, chemicals and temperature changes, providing stable reading distance and long data life for industrial tracking.

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CYKEO CK-BQ1504 Metal RFID Tags is a compact anti-metal UHF RFID solution built for direct mounting on metal surfaces. With stable 8-meter read range, Ucode-8 chip, and long data retention, this rfid metal tag fits tools, containers, automotive parts, and industrial asset tracking.

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The CYKEO CK-BQ6025 Anti-Metal RFID Tag is built for metal surfaces where standard tags fail. Designed for long-range performance, harsh environments, and stable data retention, this Anti-Metal RFID Tag is ideal for industrial assets, containers, and equipment tracking using on metal RFID tags.

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The CYKEO RFID Laundry Tag is designed for long-term textile identification in harsh laundry environments. Built to withstand high heat, chemicals, and repeated washing, this RFID Laundry Tag delivers stable performance for hotels, hospitals, and industrial laundry operations using laundry rfid tags at scale.

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The CYKEO CK-BQ12507 RFID Book Tag is designed for reliable book and document tracking in libraries and archives. This RFID Book Tag delivers long read range, dense placement support, and stable performance on shelves, making it a practical rfid tag on books for library automation, file management, and archival systems.

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CYKEO RFID Cable Tie Tag is built for reliable identification on metal surfaces. This UHF RFID Cable Tie Tag is widely used in rfid tags for inventory systems, industrial asset management and Hospital RFID Tags, offering stable read performance, long service life and global EPC Gen2 compatibility.

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CYKEO UHF RFID Card is designed for fast identification and long-term use in industrial and commercial systems. Supporting ISO 18000-6C, this UHF RFID Card works at 860–960 MHz and is suitable for custom RFID cards used in asset tracking, access control and inventory management.

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CYKEO HF RFID Cards are designed for secure and stable access control systems. These 13.56 MHz RFID key cards support ISO 14443-A, reliable rewriting and long service life, making HF RFID Cards suitable for offices, campuses, events and membership management.

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CYKEO UHF RFID Tag is designed for reliable tracking of metal jewelry and high-value items. This Jewelry RFID Tag supports long-range reading up to 8 meters, anti-counterfeit protection and stable performance on metal, making it suitable for retail, inventory control and asset management.

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CYKEO Embedded RFID Modules are designed for compact industrial and IoT devices that require stable UHF performance. These UHF RFID Modules support global protocols, flexible power control, and reliable multi-tag reading for smart cabinets, production lines, and asset tracking systems.

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CYKEO Embedded RFID Module is built for compact IoT and industrial devices that need stable UHF performance. This UHF module supports global protocols, low power operation, and reliable multi-tag reading for smart lockers, production lines, and always-on RFID systems.

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CYKEO CK-M1 drone rfid module is a compact UHF RFID reader module designed for drones and UAV platforms. It supports long-range aerial scanning, fast multi-tag reading, and stable performance in wind, vibration, and outdoor environments.

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CYKEO CK-M4 RC522 RFID Module is an industrial-grade UHF RFID reader with 4 ports, supporting ISO, EPC, and GB protocols. High-speed, accurate reading for IoT, automation, and warehouse applications.

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CYKEO CK-M8 Module RFID is an 8-port UHF R2000 RFID Module designed for high-density, multi-tag environments. Stable 33dBm output, ISO & GB protocol support, ideal for warehouses, factories, and automated systems.

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CYKEO CK-M16 RFID Module is a 16-port UHF RFID reader module based on the R2000 chipset. Designed for dense tag environments, it supports ISO and GB standards and delivers stable multi-antenna control for industrial automation.

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The CYKEO CK-M16L RFID Reader Module is a 16-channel UHF RFID core designed for dense tag environments. With adjustable 33dBm output, multi-protocol support, and stable multi-antenna control, this RFID Tag Reader Module fits industrial automation, warehouse systems, and large-scale IoT deployments.

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CYKEO CK-M8L module RFID is a compact industrial UHF module built for dense tag and multi-antenna environments. With 8 RF ports, adjustable 33 dBm output, and ISO & GB protocol support, it is widely used in factories, warehouses, and automated tracking systems.

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CYKEO CK-M4L UHF RFID Module is a compact 4-channel RFID tag reader module designed for dense tag environments. Supporting ISO and GB protocols, it delivers stable reads up to 10 meters for industrial and IoT systems.

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Cykeo’s industrial long range RFID reader delivers 20-meter scanning, 500+ tags/sec speed, and IP67 waterproof design for automated warehouses, logistics, and harsh environment applications.

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Cykeo’s CK-RA6L industrial RFID long range reader features 20m read distance, 500 tags/sec speed, and IP67 protection. Ideal for warehouse automation, manufacturing WIP tracking, and smart logistics. Supports ISO 18000-6C/6B protocols.

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CYKEO Long Range RFID Tag Reader built for outdoor and industrial operations. This Outdoor RFID Reader delivers 20m read distance, fast tag processing, and IP67 durability for wide-area tracking.

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Cykeo CK-RA12L industrial Long Range RFID Reader delivers 20m read range, 200+ tags/sec scanning, and IP67 protection for manufacturing/logistics applications. Supports ISO 18000-6C/GB protocols.

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Cykeo CK-B9 UHF Bluetooth handheld RFID scanner features 12m UHF range, 200+ tags/sec scanning, IP67 rugged design for retail/warehouse/pharma. Supports Android SDK & real-time Bluetooth 5.0 transmission.

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Cykeo CK-B4 UHF Handheld RFID Reader scanner delivers 1300 tags/sec reading, 30m UHF range, and 12-hour battery life. IP65 rugged design with barcode/NFC/ID scanning for retail/manufacturing/logistics.

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Cykeo CK-B2L industrial UHF RFID handheld offers 10m range, 500 tags/sec scanning, Android 11 OS, and IP65 rugged design for retail/warehouse/manufacturing.

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Cykeo CK-B3 industrial RFID Reader Handheld, terminal offers 2m read range, multi-protocol scanning (NFC/barcode/ID), Android 10 OS, and IP65 ruggedness for logistics/retail/manufacturing.

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Cykeo CK-B3L industrial handheld UHF RFID Reader terminal features 20m read range, 500 tags/sec scanning, Android 13 OS, 12-hour battery for logistics/retail/manufacturing. Supports barcode/NFC/ID reading.

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Cykeo CK-C1 industrial Forklift RFID Reader features 20m read range, 600 tags/sec scanning, Impinj R2000 chipset, and IP67 rugged design. Ideal for warehouse logistics and manufacturing. Supports ISO 18000-6C/6B protocols.

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RFID Fixed Reader from CYKEO – the CK-R16L 16-port UHF fixed reader for warehouses, smart cabinets, and production lines. Long-range, multi-tag reading, stable performance for 24/7 industrial use.