NFC barely works on my brand-new iPhone 17—hardware issue or software bug?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I bought an iPhone 17 about two weeks ago, and NFC has only worked twice despite repeated attempts. Apple Wallet payments fail, but this does not seem limited to Apple Pay: I also tried reading the same NFC card with Shortcuts and the NFC Tools app, and the phone did not respond. The card works normally with another iPhone. Has anyone found a reliable fix, or should I have Apple inspect or replace the phone?
Answers
Apple Support may charge for a repair if the phone is not covered by the standard warranty or AppleCare, but a nearly new device should first be evaluated under its warranty. I would avoid paying for an out-of-warranty repair before asking them to document the failed NFC tests and check whether the phone qualifies for replacement.
Reply to this answer
Since NFC fails in Apple Wallet as well as Shortcuts and NFC Tools, this sounds like a general NFC problem rather than a payment setup issue. Because the phone is only two weeks old, the best next step is to have Apple run diagnostics and determine whether it needs a replacement. A reset may be worth trying, but it is unlikely to fix a defective NFC component.
Reply to this answer
I’m seeing similar symptoms: NFC, Maps-related features, and incoming call ringing are unreliable, while speakerphone still works. Resetting the iPhone did not restore NFC, and an NFC card reader also failed. That makes a hardware or deeper system issue seem more likely than an Apple Wallet configuration problem.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
Related Discussions