What to do when NFC appears to be not working properly on your Samsung Galaxy device

Last Update date : Sep 02. 2026

NFC on Galaxy devices is a short-range wireless communication technology used for features such as Samsung Wallet payments, transportation cards, and data transfer between nearby devices. If NFC appears to be not working properly on your Galaxy device, the issue may be related to NFC settings, payment configuration, accessories, or the SIM card. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot NFC issues on your Galaxy device.

A person tapping a Samsung Galaxy phone against an NFC reader for payment.

Note: Menu names, settings, and screen layouts may vary depending on the model and software version.

To make payments or read and write NFC tags, place the area marked for NFC detection close to the NFC reader or payment terminal.

A smartphone being held flat against the top of an NFC payment terminal.

Temporarily turning NFC off and back on may help resolve NFC connection issues.

Add the NFC button to the Quick settings panel

Quick settings panel screen with a downward swipe gesture indicated. Quick settings panel screen with a downward swipe gesture indicated.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.

Quick settings panel screen with the Edit icon highlighted. Quick settings panel screen with the Edit icon highlighted.

Step 2. Tap the Edit icon.

Quick settings panel editing screen with Add a control highlighted. Quick settings panel editing screen with Add a control highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Add a control.

Control selection screen with NFC highlighted. Control selection screen with NFC highlighted.

Step 4. Tap NFC.

Quick settings panel editing screen with the NFC button placed on top. Quick settings panel editing screen with the NFC button placed on top.

Step 5. Press and hold the NFC button > Drag it to the top area of the Quick settings panel.

Expandable area screen with the Done button highlighted. Expandable area screen with the Done button highlighted.

Step 6. Tap Done.

Quick settings panel editing screen with the Done button highlighted. Quick settings panel editing screen with the Done button highlighted.

Step 7. Tap Done.

Turn NFC off and back on from the Quick panel

Quick settings panel screen with a downward swipe gesture indicated. Quick settings panel screen with a downward swipe gesture indicated.

Step 1. Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Quick settings panel.

Quick settings panel screen with the NFC button turned off. Quick settings panel screen with the NFC button turned off.

Step 2. Tap the NFC button to turn it off.

Quick settings panel screen with the NFC button turned on. Quick settings panel screen with the NFC button turned on.

Step 3. Tap the NFC button again to turn it back on.

If NFC payments are not working properly, check whether the correct wallet app is set as the default NFC payment service.

Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted. Settings menu with the Connections option highlighted.

Step 1. Open Settings > Tap Connections.

Connections menu with NFC and contactless payments highlighted. Connections menu with NFC and contactless payments highlighted.

Step 2. Tap NFC and contactless payments > Turn on the feature.

NFC and contactless payments screen with Default wallet app highlighted. NFC and contactless payments screen with Default wallet app highlighted.

Step 3. Tap Default wallet app.

Default wallet app menu with Samsung Wallet selected. Default wallet app menu with Samsung Wallet selected.

Step 4. Select Samsung Wallet.

Some non-genuine covers or cases, especially those containing magnets, cards, or metal materials, may interfere with NFC communication.

Remove the case or accessory from the device and try using NFC again.

A protective case being removed from the back of a smartphone.

Some NFC services store payment or authentication information on the SIM card. If there is a problem with the SIM card or the NFC-related information stored on it, NFC services may not work properly.

Remove and reinsert the SIM card, then restart the device and check again. If the problem persists, SIM card replacement may be necessary.

A SIM eject pin inserted into the tray hole on the side of a smartphone. A SIM eject pin inserted into the tray hole on the side of a smartphone.

Step 1. Insert the SIM eject pin into the tray hole.

* Always insert the eject pin straight into the tray hole.

The SIM tray being pulled out of the device. The SIM tray being pulled out of the device.

Step 2. Pull out the SIM tray completely.

* Do not bend or force the SIM tray.

A SIM card being placed into the tray with gold contacts facing upward. A SIM card being placed into the tray with gold contacts facing upward.

Step 3. Replace the SIM card in the tray with the gold contacts facing upward.

* Make sure the SIM card is properly seated in the tray.

The SIM tray being reinserted into the device. The SIM tray being reinserted into the device.

Step 4. Reinsert the tray fully into the device.

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