Connecting WiFi with NFC

Jorgend ~ You can already do that with a personal automation in Apple's Shortcuts app:

Create a new personal automation in Shortcuts on iPhone or iPad

...From the list of triggers, choose NFC and then add the necessary Wi-Fi actions.

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I don’t see bypassing user interaction and automatically connecting to what can be hostile Wi-Fi network as being a particularly desirable behavior.

Are you aware that Apple products can share Wi-Fi passwords simply by holding them near each other?

Lawrence Finch wrote:

Is this another case of Android playing fast and loose with user’s personal security?

I’m not sufficiently familiar with what prompting might exist within Android Lollipop and later.

Related: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10081068/share-wifi-credentials-via-nfc-tag-without-special-apps

With (and among) Apple devices, QR codes, AirDrop, and MDM profiles are common choices for sharing credentials. There are add-on apps for iPhone including Simply NFC and (where available) Tap2Wifi that can purportedly add the network via NFC, but (again) nothing automatically.

For most folks, a poster or printed page with “aim your Android or iPhone camera at this” will probably work well enough for now:

Maybe place the NFC tag underneath that for Android, too. Print the QR larger for longer-distance scanning, obviously.

If y’all want integrated support for NFC for this without an added app (and it’ll almost certainly pop up a message before adding the network to the known networks) then log some feedback with Apple. It’ll be iPhone only too, as iPad and Mac typically lack NFC.

As this is a user-to-user forum, we have no insight to share on what Apple may or may not due in the future, unless Apple has made public announcements about that.

If you have suggestions for Apple to include certain features in an upcoming software update or hardware model, then let them know through: Feedback - iPhone - Apple.

Meanwhile please share a link to educate us (me) on what this feature is supposed to make easier, and how it should work?

Unlike Android, supported iPhones will by default ask user confirmation (user passcode) before connecting (adding the Wi-Fi to its configuration). I suppose that makes QR setup faster (no passcode needed, other than unlocking). It also makes iPhones safer (other people can’t set your iPhone to use their Wi-Fi without your consent).

Wifi Porter - Ten One Design﹥See it in action﹥Play video

NFC will require an app, and will require approval of the user.

If Android automates this Wi-Fi network connection with no user approval, please log a bug against Android.

As mentioned above, you can join a network on iPhone and Android using a Wi-Fi QR code.

The user scans the QR code using the camera, and approves joining the Wi-Fi network.

Other Wi-Fi options are available via management profiles (MDM), and via carrier network settings for carriers.

There are steps needed for a Wi-Fi network login portal too, but I’m not sure you’re headed in that direction here.

I’ve since discovered that tag manufacturers say that NFC tapping requires 2018 iPhones (XR, XS) or later. Earlier models (but iOS 11 or later) should use the QR scan instead.

You can certainly let Apple know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Is this another case of Android playing fast and loose with user’s personal security?