How to Program Your NFC Pins
Turn any pin into a smart link to your travel memories. It only takes a minute with the free NFC Tools app.
Step 1: Download NFC Tools
NFC Tools is a free app that lets you read and write data to NFC chips. Download it for your device:
Screenshot: NFC Tools app home screen
Step 2: Copy the URL You Want to Use
Decide what you want your pin to link to, then copy that URL. Here are the most common options:
Link to a Single Trip
Perfect for pinning a specific trip over the state or country you visited. Use the "enter" page for a cinematic entrance with optional music autoplay.
Find your trip URL: Open your trip, click the share button, and copy the link. Replace /trip/ with /enter/ for the cinematic entrance.
When using the /enter/ URL, your trip's background music will attempt to autoplay. The experience is seamless on most mobile devices when tapping the NFC pin!
Filter by Country
If you've visited a country multiple times, link to your dashboard filtered by that country to show all related trips.
Country codes: Use 2-letter codes like JP for Japan, IT for Italy, MX for Mexico, etc.
Your Adventure Board Map
Carry a pin with you that links to your countries visited or states visited map. Great for quick sharing when you're out and about!
Options: Use /world for countries visited or /usa for US states visited.
Step 3: Write the URL to Your Pin
Now that you have your URL, here's how to write it to your NFC pin:
Make Sure NFC is Enabled
Most iPhones and Android phones have NFC enabled by default, but Samsung phones often have it turned off. To enable NFC:
- Samsung: Settings → Connections → NFC and contactless payments → Toggle ON
- Other Android: Settings → Connected devices → Connection preferences → NFC → Toggle ON
- iPhone: NFC is always on for iPhone 7 and newer (no setting needed)
- Open NFC Tools Open the app and tap the "Write" tab at the top/bottom of the screen.
- Add a Record Tap "Add a record" and select "URL/URI" from the list of options.
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Paste Your URL
Paste the URL you copied in Step 2. Make sure it starts with
https://. - Tap "Write" Press the "Write" button, then hold your phone near your NFC pin. Keep it steady for 1-2 seconds.
- Done! You'll see a success message. Your pin is now programmed! Test it by tapping your phone to the pin.
Don't Lock Your Tag
Under the "Other" tab in NFC Tools, you'll see an option to lock the tag. We don't recommend this — keeping your pin unlocked allows you to reprogram it later if you want to link to a different trip or URL.
Screenshot: NFC Tools "Write" screen with URL field
Where to Hold Your Phone
The NFC reader is usually located at the top-back of your phone (Android) or the top edge (iPhone). Hold the pin against that area for best results. If it doesn't work, try slowly moving the pin around until you find the sweet spot.
Photo: Phone tapping NFC pin on a map
Reprogram Anytime
One of the best features of NFC pins is that you can reprogram them as many times as you want! Changed your trip URL? Want to link to a different memory? Just follow the same steps above to write a new URL.
Your pins are reusable forever — update them whenever you add new trips or want to change what they link to.