The NTAG210µ (also written NTAG210u) is the most economical NFC chip in NXP Semiconductors' NTAG range, a simplified version of the NTAG210 designed for very high volumes. Compliant with the ISO/IEC 14443 Type A standard and the NFC Forum Type 2 format, it offers 48 bytes of user memory. It can be read and written by virtually all NFC-enabled smartphones.
Information
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors |
| Family | NTAG21x (micro version of the NTAG210) |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A (parts 2 and 3) |
| NFC Forum type | Type 2 Tag |
| Operating frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Data rate | 106 kbit/s |
| Unique identifier (UID) | 7 bytes, factory programmed |
| Operating distance | Up to approximately 10 cm, depending on the antenna and reader |
| Data retention | 10 years |
| Write endurance | 100,000 cycles |
| Total memory (EEPROM) | 64 bytes |
| User memory | 48 bytes |
Memory
The EEPROM memory of the NTAG210µ is organized into 16 pages of 4 bytes (pages 0 to 15):
| Pages | Content | Access |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 | UID, internal data and static lock bytes | Read-only (UID) / OTP |
| 3 | Capability Container (CC), initialized at the factory | OTP |
| 4 to 15 | User memory (48 bytes) | Read / write |
In practice, the 48 bytes of user memory can hold an NDEF record containing a URL of around 40 characters, as the common prefix (https://www. for example) is compressed into a single byte by the NDEF format. This is enough for an identifier, a simple action or a very short link: encoding a short redirect link is essential here. Unlike the NTAG210, the NTAG210µ has no configuration pages at all: the chip is stripped down to the essentials to reduce costs.
Features & security
- Permanent locking: the static lock bytes can switch each page of the user memory to read-only irreversibly, with anti-tearing protection for the Capability Container and the lock bits. The operation can be performed directly from NFC Tools.
- Originality signature: an ECDSA signature programmed at the factory, which can be customized and permanently locked, verifies the authenticity of the chip and helps detect certain counterfeits.
- Two antenna tuning versions: the chip is available in 17 pF and 50 pF versions, giving more flexibility in antenna design.
The NTAG210µ offers neither password protection, nor NFC counter, nor mirror function: these features are reserved for the NTAG210 and the NTAG213/215/216.
Compatibility
The NTAG210µ is compatible with virtually all NFC smartphones. On Android, reading and writing work natively with NFC Tools, without any particular restriction. On iPhone, automatic background reading is available from the iPhone XS and XR onwards; models from the iPhone 7 can read and write the chip via NFC Tools on iOS 15.6 or later, by starting the scan manually from the app.
With NFC Tools, the NTAG210µ chip supports reading technical information, writing records, erasing and permanent locking. The list of compatible models is available in the article on compatibility.
NTAG210µ vs NTAG210 vs NTAG213
| Chip | User memory | Max characters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTAG210µ | 48 bytes | Around 40 characters | Lowest cost, no password |
| NTAG210 | 48 bytes | Around 40 characters | Very short link with password protection |
| NTAG213 | 144 bytes | Around 130 characters | The standard: links, business cards with redirect |
For the same memory size, the NTAG210 adds password protection and the UID mirror; the NTAG213 remains the reference choice as soon as the content exceeds a few dozen characters. The NTAG210µ is aimed above all at industrial applications with very high volumes, where every cent counts.
Frequently asked questions
How much data can be stored on an NTAG210µ?
The chip has 48 bytes of user memory, which corresponds to a URL of around 40 characters once the NDEF envelope is taken into account. Encoding a short redirect link is strongly recommended.
Is the NTAG210µ compatible with iPhones?
Yes. Background reading works from the iPhone XS and XR onwards, and both reading and writing are possible via NFC Tools from the iPhone 7 on iOS 15.6 or later.
Can an NTAG210µ be protected against rewriting?
A permanent, irreversible read-only lock is possible, including from NFC Tools. However, the NTAG210µ does not offer password protection: for that feature, the NTAG210 or the NTAG213 are the chips to consider.
What is the lifespan of an NTAG210µ?
Data retention is guaranteed for 10 years and the memory supports 100,000 write cycles, which far exceeds the needs of everyday use.
Useful links
