The NTAG215 is an NFC chip designed by NXP Semiconductors and the mid-range member of the NTAG21x family. Compliant with the ISO/IEC 14443 Type A standard and the NFC Forum Type 2 format, it offers 504 bytes of user memory. It can be read and written by virtually all NFC-enabled smartphones.
Information
| Manufacturer | NXP Semiconductors |
| Family | NTAG21x (NTAG213 / NTAG215 / NTAG216) |
| 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) | 540 bytes |
| User memory | 504 bytes |
Memory
The EEPROM memory of the NTAG215 is organized into 135 pages of 4 bytes (pages 0 to 134):
| 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 129 | User memory (504 bytes) | Read / write |
| 130 | Dynamic lock bytes | OTP |
| 131 to 134 | Configuration: mirror, AUTH0, ACCESS, password (PWD) and PACK | Read / write, protectable |
In practice, the 504 bytes of user memory can hold an NDEF record containing a URL of around 480 characters, as the common prefix (https://www. for example) is compressed into a single byte by the NDEF format. This capacity also allows a simple vCard (name, phone, email, website) directly on the chip, or a combination of several records. For a detailed contact card with a photo, the best practice remains to encode a short redirect link.
Features & security
- Password protection: a 32-bit password (PWD), combined with a 16-bit acknowledgement (PACK), restricts write access, or even read access, from a page defined by the AUTH0 parameter.
- Permanent locking: the static and dynamic lock bytes can switch the memory to read-only irreversibly, an operation that can be performed directly from NFC Tools.
- NFC counter: a 24-bit read counter is automatically incremented on the first read after field detection, useful for measuring the number of scans.
- ASCII mirror: the UID and the counter can be automatically inserted into the NDEF message (mirror function), for example as a URL parameter.
- Originality signature: an ECDSA signature programmed at the factory verifies the authenticity of the chip and helps detect certain counterfeits.
- FAST_READ command: accelerated reading of page ranges, used by encoders for high-volume personalization.
Compatibility
The NTAG215 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 NTAG215 chip supports reading technical information, writing records, erasing, permanent locking and password protection. The list of compatible models is available in the article on compatibility.
NTAG213 vs NTAG215 vs NTAG216
| Chip | User memory | Max characters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTAG213 | 144 bytes | Around 130 characters | Web link, simple action, business card with redirect |
| NTAG215 | 504 bytes | Around 480 characters | vCard, richer content |
| NTAG216 | 888 bytes | Around 850 characters | Multiple records, large amounts of data |
All three chips share the same security features and the same compatibility: only the memory size sets them apart. The NTAG215 is the ideal compromise when the content goes beyond a simple link, for example a vCard encoded directly on the chip.
Frequently asked questions
How much data can be stored on an NTAG215?
The chip has 504 bytes of user memory, which corresponds to a URL of around 480 characters or a simple vCard once the NDEF envelope is taken into account.
Is the NTAG215 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 NTAG215 be protected against rewriting?
Yes, in two ways: a permanent, irreversible read-only lock, or a reversible 32-bit password protection. Both operations can be performed with NFC Tools.
What is the lifespan of an NTAG215?
Data retention is guaranteed for 10 years and the memory supports 100,000 write cycles, which far exceeds the needs of everyday use.
