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TAP NOT WORKING?

Let’s get
you connected.

Sometimes it’s a phone setting. Sometimes it’s where you hold the phone. Start with your device below.

In a hurry? Scan the tag’s QR code or enter its 8-character Tag ID to reach the same recovery page.

First, try this

  1. Wake and unlock your phone. Hold it close to the tag for a few seconds, rather than tapping and immediately pulling away.
  2. Move the phone slightly to find its NFC reading area. On iPhone, try the top edge; on Android, try the back of the phone. The exact spot varies by model.
  3. Temporarily remove a wallet case, attached cards, or a magnetic or metal accessory, then try again.
  4. If a link or notification appears, tap it. You need Wi-Fi or mobile data to load the recovery page.

APPLE

Using an iPhone

On supported iPhones, reading a web-link tag happens automatically. There isn’t an Android-style NFC switch you need to turn on.

  1. Unlock the phone and leave the screen on. After a restart, unlock it with your passcode first.
  2. Return to the Home Screen. Stop using the Camera, Wallet / Apple Pay, or another NFC scanning app, then try again.
  3. Turn off Airplane Mode in Settings or Control Centre.
  4. Hold the top of the iPhone close to the tag for a few seconds. Tap the notification when it appears and unlock again if prompted.
What about an older iPhone?

Apple introduced background tag reading with iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. Older models may need an explicit reader function or compatible app; support depends on the model and iOS version. If nothing happens, use the QR code or manual Tag ID instead of searching for a setting your phone may not have.

Manufacturer reference: Apple: background tag reading.

ANDROID

Check that NFC is switched on

Open your phone’s Settings and search for NFC. Menu names vary by brand, model, region, and Android version.

Samsung Galaxy

Settings → Connections → NFC and contactless payments → On

If it’s already on, switch it off and back on. You can also use the NFC tile in Quick settings if your phone offers it.

Google Pixel

Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC → Use NFC

Other Android phones

Search Settings for “NFC” and turn it on if available. If the option is missing, check your model’s manufacturer specifications; some phones or regional variants do not support NFC.

  1. Unlock the phone and keep the screen awake. Leave any “require unlock” protection enabled.
  2. Hold the back of the phone close to the tag, moving it slowly to find the reading area.
  3. Open the detected link in your browser if asked. You don’t need to add a payment card or change your default wallet to open a TapMyGear tag.

Manufacturer references: Samsung NFC tips and Google Pixel NFC settings.

A BACKUP IS BUILT IN

Still not opening?

Nothing happens when I tap

Try again without the case or attached wallet, reposition the phone, then restart and unlock it. If available, try a different NFC-capable phone. If the QR code or manual ID works but NFC fails on multiple compatible phones, the tag may need to be checked by the person who supplied it.

A link appears, but the page won’t load

The phone has detected the tag. Check Wi-Fi or mobile data, then retry in your browser. Try the QR code or manual ID too. If those work but the NFC link doesn’t, the link programmed into the tag may need checking.

The page says “tag inactive” or “tag not found”

This is a tag-record issue, not an NFC setting. Check the printed ID. Owners should contact the person who supplied their tag. Finders who can’t reach the owner can leave the item with the venue’s staff or lost-and-found desk.

My phone doesn’t support NFC

Scan the QR code with your camera, or enter the printed Tag ID on the Found Gear page. NFC is optional for returning gear.

ENTER A TAG ID

When asking for help, note your phone model, software version, Tag ID, and whether QR or manual lookup works. Don’t send passwords or payment information.

Guidance checked September 18, 2026. Manufacturer menus can change with software updates.