How to Rewrite NFC Tags NTAG215 NTAG213 NTAG216

Near Field Communication (NFC) technology has become a practical tool for automation, marketing, authentication, and digital interaction. NFC tags such as NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 are among the most widely used chips because they are inexpensive, reliable, and compatible with most NFC-enabled smartphones.

A common question from developers, businesses, and hobbyists is: Can NFC tags be rewritten? The answer is yes—as long as the tag is not locked. Rewriting an NFC tag allows you to change the stored data, update links, modify automation tasks, or reuse the tag for different purposes.

This detailed guide explains exactly how to rewrite NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 NFC tags, including tools, preparation, step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting, and real-world applications. By following the instructions in this guide, readers can perform the process independently and successfully.

Understanding NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 NFC Tags

Before rewriting a tag, it helps to understand what these chips are and how they differ.

These chips belong to the NXP NTAG21x series, a family of NFC Forum Type 2 tags widely used in consumer and industrial applications.

NTAG213

NTAG213 is the most commonly used NFC tag for simple data storage.

Key characteristics:

  • User memory: 144 bytes

  • Typical uses: URL sharing, digital business cards, product labels

  • Compatibility: Android NFC phones and NFC-enabled iPhones

  • Cost: Low

Because the memory is small, it is best suited for short links or small data records.

NTAG215

NTAG215 offers more memory than NTAG213 and is widely used in specialized applications.

Key characteristics:

  • User memory: 504 bytes

  • Typical uses: Amiibo tags, gaming data, automation tasks

  • Compatibility: Android and iOS

  • Cost: Medium

This chip is popular because it balances storage capacity and price.

NTAG216

NTAG216 has the largest memory among the three.

Key characteristics:

  • User memory: 888 bytes

  • Typical uses: complex NFC records, long URLs, contact cards, smart posters

  • Compatibility: Android and iOS

  • Cost: slightly higher

If your application requires storing larger data records, NTAG216 is usually the best choice.

Can NFC Tags Be Rewritten?

Yes—most NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 tags are rewritable by default.

However, two important conditions must be understood.

Condition 1: The Tag Must Not Be Locked

NFC tags include a lock feature that permanently prevents rewriting.

Once locked:

  • Data cannot be changed

  • Memory becomes read-only

  • Locking cannot be reversed

This feature is useful for security and anti-tampering, but it also means you cannot rewrite the tag afterward.

Condition 2: The Memory Must Be Writable

If the tag is still writable, you can:

  • Erase existing data

  • Replace the content

  • Write new records

  • Update URLs or commands

Rewriting is therefore a simple overwrite process.

Tools Required to Rewrite NFC Tags

Rewriting NFC tags requires only a few basic tools.

1. NFC-Enabled Smartphone

Most modern smartphones include NFC capability.

Compatible devices include:

  • Android phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, etc.)

  • iPhone 7 and newer models

Android devices usually offer more control and flexibility for NFC programming.

2. NFC Writing App

You need an application capable of reading and writing NFC data.

Common apps include:

For Android:

  • NFC Tools

  • NXP TagWriter

  • Trigger

For iPhone:

  • NFC Tools

  • NFC TagWriter by NXP

Among these, NFC Tools is often considered the easiest to use.

3. NTAG213 / NTAG215 / NTAG216 NFC Tag

Ensure the tag:

  • Is genuine

  • Has not been locked

  • Is not physically damaged

Cheap counterfeit tags sometimes fail during rewriting.

Step-by-Step Guide to Rewriting NFC Tags

The process of rewriting NFC tags follows a clear workflow.

  1. Scan the tag

  2. Check if it is writable

  3. Erase old data

  4. Write new data

  5. Test the tag

Each step is explained in detail below.

Step 1: Install an NFC Writing App

First, download an NFC programming application.

Example process using NFC Tools:

  1. Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store

  2. Search for NFC Tools

  3. Install the application

  4. Launch the app

The interface usually includes sections such as:

  • Read

  • Write

  • Erase

  • Other tools

Step 2: Enable NFC on Your Smartphone

NFC must be enabled before reading or writing tags.

On Android

  1. Open Settings

  2. Tap Connections

  3. Enable NFC

  4. Turn on Android Beam or NFC sharing

On iPhone

For iPhone models after iPhone XS, NFC scanning is often enabled automatically.

Otherwise:

  1. Open Control Center

  2. Enable NFC Tag Reader

Step 3: Scan the NFC Tag

Before rewriting the tag, confirm its current content.

Procedure:

  1. Open NFC Tools

  2. Tap Read

  3. Hold the NFC tag against the back of the phone

  4. Wait for the device to detect the tag

Within seconds, the application will display:

  • Tag type

  • UID (Unique ID)

  • Memory size

  • Existing data records

This confirms the tag is functioning correctly.

Step 4: Check Whether the Tag Is Locked

After reading the tag, check the lock status.

In NFC Tools, look for information such as:

  • Lock bytes

  • Write protection

  • Tag status

If the tag shows read-only, it cannot be rewritten.

If it shows writable, you can proceed.

Step 5: Erase the Existing Data

To rewrite the tag, the old data should be removed.

Steps:

  1. Open the NFC Tools menu

  2. Tap Other

  3. Select Erase tag

  4. Place the phone on the tag

  5. Wait for confirmation

The app will display:

Erase successful

This clears the previous records and prepares the tag for new data.

Step 6: Prepare the New Data

Now create the new content that will be written onto the tag.

Common NFC records include:

  • Website URL

  • Contact card (vCard)

  • WiFi connection

  • Text message

  • Phone number

  • Application launch command

Example: Writing a website link.

Steps:

  1. Open Write

  2. Select Add a record

  3. Choose URL / URI

  4. Enter the website address

Example:

https://yourwebsite.com

The app stores this as an NFC record.

Step 7: Write the New Data to the Tag

Once the data record is prepared, write it to the tag.

Steps:

  1. Tap Write

  2. Place the phone against the NFC tag

  3. Wait for the writing process to complete

A successful operation will display:

Write complete

The tag now contains the new data.

Step 8: Test the NFC Tag

Testing ensures the tag works correctly.

Steps:

  1. Exit the writing screen

  2. Scan the tag again

  3. Allow the phone to automatically trigger the action

Example outcomes:

  • Opening a website

  • Displaying contact information

  • Connecting to WiFi

  • Launching an app

If the correct action occurs, the rewrite was successful.

Advanced Tip: Overwriting Instead of Erasing

In many cases, erasing is not required.

You can simply:

  1. Write new records

  2. Overwrite existing data

The NFC chip replaces the old data automatically.

However, erasing first helps avoid data conflicts or leftover records.

Locking the Tag After Writing (Optional)

Once a tag is programmed correctly, some users choose to lock the tag permanently.

Reasons include:

  • Preventing tampering

  • Protecting marketing campaigns

  • Ensuring authentication

Steps:

  1. Write the final data

  2. Open NFC Tools

  3. Choose Lock tag

Important warning:

Locking is permanent and cannot be reversed.

Always test the tag first before locking it.

Real-World Applications of Rewritable NFC Tags

Rewritable NFC tags are extremely versatile.

Marketing Campaigns

Businesses use NFC tags to direct users to:

  • Landing pages

  • Product videos

  • Promotions

If the campaign changes, the tag can simply be rewritten with a new link.

Smart Home Automation

NFC tags can trigger automation tasks such as:

  • Turning on lights

  • Activating WiFi

  • Launching smart home scenes

These commands can be updated by rewriting the tag.

Digital Business Cards

Instead of printing new cards, NFC tags can store:

  • Contact information

  • LinkedIn profile

  • Portfolio

Updating your details requires only rewriting the tag.

Inventory and Asset Management

Warehouses often use NFC tags for:

  • Equipment identification

  • Tracking maintenance records

  • Updating inspection logs

Data can be rewritten whenever the status changes.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Sometimes rewriting NFC tags does not work immediately. The following solutions address the most common issues.

Problem: Phone Cannot Detect the Tag

Possible causes:

  • NFC disabled

  • Phone positioned incorrectly

  • Tag damaged

Solution:

Move the tag slowly across the back of the phone to find the NFC antenna.

Problem: Tag Is Read-Only

Cause:

The tag has been locked.

Solution:

Unfortunately, locked tags cannot be rewritten. You must use a new tag.

Problem: Write Operation Fails

Possible causes include:

  • Weak NFC signal

  • Tag moved during writing

  • Low-quality tag

Solution:

Hold the phone steady until the writing process completes.

Problem: Not Enough Memory

If writing fails due to insufficient memory:

Solutions:

  • Use a shorter URL

  • Remove unnecessary records

  • Use a larger chip such as NTAG216

Security Considerations When Rewriting NFC Tags

NFC technology is convenient but should be used carefully.

Important practices include:

  • Avoid storing sensitive data

  • Use encrypted links when possible

  • Lock tags used in public environments

  • Test tags regularly

These measures help maintain security and reliability.

Best Practices for NFC Tag Rewriting

Experienced NFC developers follow several best practices.

Always verify the tag type before writing.

Choose the correct chip:

  • NTAG213 for simple links

  • NTAG215 for moderate storage

  • NTAG216 for large records

Avoid locking tags unless absolutely necessary.

Keep a backup of the written data in case you need to recreate the tag.

Final Thoughts

Rewriting NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 NFC tags is a simple process once the basic workflow is understood. With an NFC-enabled smartphone and a reliable writing app, users can quickly erase old data, create new records, and update tags for a wide range of applications.

The key steps are straightforward:

  1. Install an NFC writing app

  2. Enable NFC on your phone

  3. Scan the tag

  4. Verify the tag is writable

  5. Erase or overwrite existing data

  6. Write the new record

  7. Test the tag

By following these steps carefully, even beginners can successfully rewrite NFC tags and reuse them for marketing, automation, product labeling, or smart interactions.

The small plastic sticker hiding an NTAG chip may look unremarkable, but inside sits a tiny microchip that turns everyday objects into digital gateways—one tap, and the physical world starts talking to the internet.