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Why does NFC tapping not work on certain phones?

Learn why some phones may have difficulty reading Burner cards.

Updated over a week ago

Burner cards are powered entirely through your phone’s NFC signal. Most phones read Burner cards reliably, but some devices struggle due to hardware limitations. This can lead to failed taps, repeated prompts to try again, or difficulty signing transactions.

Devices most commonly affected

Based on internal testing and user reports, HTC and Huawei phones, especially older or lower-end models, have the most frequent issues reading Burner cards. These devices often have NFC antennas that provide lower sensitivity or limited power output. This is a hardware limitation, not a compatibility problem with Burner.

Other reasons a phone may have trouble

Phones can also struggle to read Burner cards due to:

  • Thick or metal phone cases

  • NFC antennas placed in unusual locations

  • Non-optimal NFC software tuning

  • Variability in NFC performance on budget-tier devices from any manufacturer


Tips if your phone is having trouble

  • Remove your phone case

  • Make sure you are tapping in the correct location on your phone. See this guide to find your device’s NFC reader.

  • Hold the card still. Some phones take a little longer to register the NFC signal

  • If possible, try tapping with a different device

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