If you see an N in the top bar of your Android phone, we’ll explain what it is and what it’s for.vcOf all the icons that an Android screen can display, the “N” is one of the most enigmatic. It corresponds to NFC , one of the wireless connections available on most smartphones. It allows you to read your ID to request a digital certificate, as well as make mobile payments .
All cell phones have different sections of the screen where the operating system displays information so the phone’s owner knows what’s happening on their device. If we look at the top area, right where the time and carrier name are located, various icons appear, each one for specific functions currently active . This area is called the “status area.” It sometimes displays information that may spark curiosity.
The “N” in the status area means you have NFC active.
Aside from the clock (on the right) and your SIM provider (on the left), all Android phones display icons at the top of the screen to identify what’s running on your phone. If you have mobile data, you’ll see the connection type (4G, 5G, etc.) as well as the coverage strength ; with Wi-Fi, you’ll see a wave icon; with Bluetooth, a “B.” And, obviously, if your status bar shows an “N,” your Android’s NFC is activated. But be careful, newer phones don’t usually display this icon if NFC is activated.
NFC is a short-range wireless connection (it stands for near field communication, hence the name “Near Field Communication”). Its main use is mobile payments: whenever you hold your Android device near a payment terminal to pay your bill, you’re using NFC . And if the “N” doesn’t appear in the status area, you may have the option disabled.
Whether or not NFC is enabled uses a negligible amount of battery, is risk-free ( no one will charge your card for holding a device near your phone ), and allows you to expand the use of the technology beyond the aforementioned mobile payments. For example, setting up NFC tags is a very useful way to expand your phone’s capabilities.
Don’t like having the “N” icon in your Android’s status bar and/or want to turn off NFC? If you usually pay with your phone, it’s best to keep it on , as it’ll be more convenient and faster to make each payment. But it’s also not a problem if you turn it off. Here’s how to do it:
- Access your Android settings.
- Go to “Connected Devices.”
- Go to “Connection Preferences.”
- Go to “NFC” and turn it off.
- You can also enable or disable it from the quick settings, the toggles that appear when you pull down the notification area. If you don’t have NFC there, add it from the options, using the pencil icon.
- Alternatively, you can type “NFC” into the settings search box to ensure a universal way to access your device’s configuration.
As we mentioned, having it enabled isn’t a problem, since if you’re worried about battery life, NFC uses very little battery power and, unlike Bluetooth, only consumes battery power when you’re using it, i.e., when you make a mobile payment, for example. It also doesn’t pose any risks, so it’s best to have it enabled.
