Making a Switch Type NFC Tag

Posted by John Michael Sol Cruz in Articles, Cell Phone Hacks

Of course, when we make profiles, we also want to be able to switch between a profile we use for something like work, and maybe a profile we use when we are on the go or at home. Rather than having two tags used up for these two profiles, we can make one tag do it all by transforming it into a switch tag.

A switch tag is basically a tag that can launch one set of actions in one tap and a whole other set of actions on another tap. We will learn how to make a switch tag that will alternate between an indoors and outdoors profile using only one tag and the NFC Task Launcher app from Tagstand.

Procedure

1. First, we need to download the NFC Task Launcher app that we will use to program the profiles we need. Simply type “NFC Task Launcher” in the Play Store. It should be the first app that appears in the list. Don’t worry, it’s free.
2. Tap on Install on the upper right.
   
3. Tap on “Accept & Download”. It should start downloading after that.
4. Once installed, exit the play store and tap on the app icon to launch the app.
5. If this is your first time to launch the app, you should be greeted with this message. If you don’t have NFC Tags yet, then the app will help you get your hand on some. If you already have NFC Tags, simply tap on “I already have NFC Tags”.
6. On the app’s home screen, tap on the “+” icon on the upper right to make a new task or profile.
   
7. On the popup screen, tap on the “New Tag” option to create a new tag.
8. On this page, label the tag as you want. For the sake of this tutorial, our first tag would be the “Indoors” profile. Once the label is done, simply tap on the “Add Actions” option below to start adding actions to your profile.
   
9. You should be greeted with a list of possible actions for your new profile. Now we will decide what we want our phone to have during the indoor mode. First, let us tap on Wireless & Networks.
   
10. You should be greeted with a list of possible actions. When indoors, we expect to have Wi-Fi networks installed for us to use. That is why we want to toggle on the Wi-Fi setting. Place a check mark on that.
    
11. Since we are indoors, there is no use for Bluetooth to be unnecessarily on unless we need it for transferring files and such. Place a check mark there so we can set that later.
    
12. When we are indoors, it is less likely that our GPS would be able to get a lock on. To save power and prevent our device from unnecessarily launching GPS while indoors, we need to toggle that setting off. Place a check mark there. Note that this option would require that you have root access. Ignore this step if you don’t have root.
    
13. We don’t expect to use mobile data indoors, so we just have to turn off that setting. Place a check mark there as well. This action also requires root access.
    
14. There are plenty of other things we can set on an indoors profile under the other categories, but to keep this guide short and sweet, we will settle for the Wireless and Networks settings for now. It should now look like this. Once ready, tap on “Next”
    
15. A popup screen should now come up. On this screen, we are prompted to direct the app on what we wanted to do for each of the settings we have placed a mark on the previous page. You can tap on the drop down box to choose between “Enable, Disable and Toggle”.
    
16. Remember, we want the Wi-Fi to be on, while Bluetooth, GPS and Mobile data should be off. It should now look like this. Tap on “Ok” when you are done reviewing your actions.
    
17. The Indoors Profile should now look like this:
    
18. To make this tag into a Switch Tag, we will need to set another profile that the tag will activate if you tap on the tag a second time. To set a new Profile swipe the screen from the right going left.
    
19. You should now be under the “Task 2” header. To continue creating a switch tag, tap on “Add a Task”
    
20. On the pop-up page, choose “New Task”
    
21. You can again label this profile as you wish. For the sake of the guide, we will label it as “Outdoors”. Tap on “Add Actions” to proceed.
    
22. Once again, tap on the Wireless & Networks category.
    
23. Ok, from here, we assume that your Outdoor profile is the complete opposite of your Indoor profile. Basically, we will be switching the same set of settings. Of course, in a personal scenario, you can also launch apps, change sound settings and display settings as you wish. For now, we will just work with the Wireless and Networks settings to stay with the purpose of the guide. The same settings should be marked with a check mark. Tap “Next” to proceed.
    
24. On this page, we want to make sure we disable Wi-Fi, and enable the rest. Once you are ready, tap on “OK”.
    
25. Your Outdoor profile should now look like this:
    
26. We are almost done! Simply tap on “Save and Write” on the upper right corner of the screen.
     

27. This screen will prompt you to tap your NFC tag so that the app can write the instructions into your NFC Tag.
    
28. Writing shouldn’t take too long (usually an instant). Once the tag has been programmed, you will see a confirmation on this page. Tap “Done” when you are indeed done.
    
29. You should now be back to the home screen of the app.
    

 Testing

Testing the tag is pretty simple. Tap the tag once and you should see that the Indoor profile should activate, leaving a small footprint on the upper left of your notification bar, indicating which profile or task was launched.

Tapping the tag another time should launch the second programmed profile or task. The notification will appear on the upper left of the notification bar again, indicating that the profile has been activated.