## Introduction
Have you ever faced this problem? The NFC tag on your product has a broken link but you don’t know how to fix it. Or you made an NFC business card but need to update your contact info after changing jobs. The good news is NTAG213 NTAG215 and NTAG216 tags are **rewritable**—you can change their content in 5 minutes with the right steps!
NTAG213 (144 bytes for short URLs), NTAG215 (504 bytes for medium data like business cards) and NTAG216 (888 bytes for large files like PDF links) are the most popular NFC tags because they work with 99% of phones and readers. This guide will teach you how to rewrite these tags using **phones (Android iOS) or computers**—every step is simple enough that you can follow along with screenshots.
## Part 1 Preparation Before Rewriting NFC Tags
Before you start, gather your tools and check your tags. Here’s what you need:
### Devices You’ll Need
– **Phone**: An Android phone with NFC (Android 6.0 or higher) or an iOS device (iOS 13 or higher). For Android, use the free app **NFC Tools**—it’s easy for beginners. For iOS, use **NXP TagWriter** (the official app from NXP, the company that makes NTAG tags).
– **Computer**: A PC or Mac with an NFC reader like the **ACR122U** (it’s affordable and works with most systems). Use **NFC Tools for Desktop** (cross platform) or **NXP TagWriter for PC**—both are free to download.
### Materials NTAG Tags Unlocked and Rewritable
You need NTAG213 NTAG215 or NTAG216 tags that are **unlocked**—NTAG tags are default unlocked, but some sellers lock them to prevent changes. If your tag is locked, you’ll need to unlock it first (we’ll cover this in the Q&A section).
For most users, a standard NTAG215 works great, but if you need to stick the tag on metal (like a product or tool), get an **anti metal NTAG215**—it won’t lose signal on metal surfaces. We recommend **Dorfidtag’s anti metal NTAG215**—it’s compatible with all devices and durable: https://www.dorfidtag.com/ntag215-nfc-tags-anti-metal-nfc-tags-NXP-ntag215_2471.html.
### Pre Check Steps
1. **Verify Tag Status**: Open NFC Tools (Android) or NXP TagWriter (iOS), tap **Read**, and hold your phone near the tag. Look for **Lock Status Unlocked**—if it says locked, you can’t rewrite it yet.
2. **Backup Old Data**: If you want to keep the original content (like a previous business card), tap **Save** after reading the tag. Save it as a .txt or .nfc file—you can restore it later if needed.
## Part 2 How to Rewrite NTAG Tags on Your Phone Android and iOS Steps
Rewriting tags on your phone is the fastest way—no extra hardware needed. We’ll break it down for Android and iOS.
### Android Phone Step by Step Guide Using NFC Tools
Android users have it easy with NFC Tools—here’s how to rewrite NTAG215 NTAG213 or NTAG216:
1. **Open NFC Tools and Select Write**
Screenshot hint: The app’s home screen with the red **Write** button highlighted. Tap it to start writing.
2. **Add the Data You Want to Write**
NFC Tools lets you add URL links (most common), text, contacts (vCard for business cards) or even access card data (works for some unencrypted cards).
Example: Tap **Add a record** → choose **URL** → type your link (e.g., https://yourproductpage.com) → tap **Done**.
3. **Hold Your Phone Near the Tag**
Screenshot hint: A phone’s back facing the tag (1 2 cm away—don’t move!). Wait for the app to show **Writing**—when you see **Success** the tag is updated.
4. **Check the Result**
Tap **Read** and hold your phone near the tag again. The new URL should appear under the **URL** field. If not, repeat steps 2 3—make sure the tag isn’t moving.
### iOS Phone Step by Step Guide Using NXP TagWriter
iOS requires a few extra steps for NFC access, but it’s still simple:
1. **Enable NFC Permissions**
Go to **Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → **NFC** → toggle **Allow NXP TagWriter to Access NFC**. Without this, the app can’t read or write tags.
2. **Open NXP TagWriter and Start Writing**
Tap the **Write** button at the bottom of the app. Then select **Create New**—this lets you add new content to the tag.
3. **Add Your Data**
Choose a data type: **Text** (e.g., “My Wi Fi password is 12345678”), **URL** (e.g., your Instagram link) or **Contact** (vCard for business cards). Type your content and tap **Next**.
4. **Write to the Tag**
Tap **Write Tag** and hold your iPhone near the tag (use the top of the phone—iOS NFC is usually there). Wait for the progress bar to fill—when it’s done, you’ll see **Tag Written Successfully**.
5. **Verify the Content**
Tap **Read Tag** and hold your phone near the tag. The new content should show up immediately.
## Part 3 How to Rewrite NTAG Tags on Your Computer Using ACR122U
If you need to rewrite multiple tags or use a computer for larger data (like a PDF link), use an NFC reader. Here’s how:
### Step 1 Connect the NFC Reader
Plug the **ACR122U** into your computer’s USB port. If your computer doesn’t recognize it, download the ACR122U driver from the official website—install it and restart your computer.
### Step 2 Open NFC Tools for Desktop
Go to https://nfc-tools.com/ and download **NFC Tools for Desktop** (it’s free). Open the app—you’ll see **Reader Connected** if the ACR122U is working.
### Step 3 Write to the Tag
1. Place your NTAG tag on the ACR122U’s感应区 (the part with the NFC logo).
2. Click **Write** on the app’s main screen → select **Add Record** → choose the data type (e.g., URL) → type your content.
3. Click **Start Writing**—wait for the app to say **Writing Successful**.
### Step 4 Check the Result
Click **Read** to confirm the new content is on the tag. If it’s not, make sure the tag is centered on the reader and try again.
## Part 4 Key Tips to Avoid Mistakes When Rewriting NTAG Tags
Even experts make mistakes—here’s how to avoid common pitfalls:
### 1 Make Sure the Tag Is Unlocked
If the app says **Tag Locked**, you can’t rewrite it. For locked tags from sellers, use an app like **Mifare Classic Tool** to unlock it (only works for some tags). We recommend buying unlocked tags from trusted sellers like Dorfidtag—they never lock their tags.
### 2 Keep the Tag Still When Writing
NFC uses short range signals—if you move the tag or phone during writing, the process will fail. Hold the device steady for 2 3 seconds until you see **Success**.
### 3 Don’t Exceed the Tag’s Capacity
Each NTAG tag has a maximum storage limit:
– NTAG213: 144 bytes (about 144 English characters or 72 Chinese characters).
– NTAG215: 504 bytes (about 504 English characters or 252 Chinese characters).
– NTAG216: 888 bytes (about 888 English characters or 444 Chinese characters).
If your content is too long, the app will show an error. Shorten your link (use a URL shortener like bit.ly) or use a larger tag (e.g., switch from NTAG213 to NTAG215).
### 4 Erase Old Data First Optional
If you want to delete all old content before writing, use the **Erase** function in NFC Tools (Android) or NXP TagWriter (iOS). Tap **Erase**, hold the tag near your phone, and wait for **Erase Successful**.
## Part 5 Common Questions About Rewriting NTAG Tags
Here are answers to the questions we get most often:
### Q1 Why Can’t I Rewrite My NTAG215 Tag
If your tag is locked, you need to unlock it. For tags locked by sellers, use **Mifare Classic Tool** (Android) to scan and unlock it. If that doesn’t work, the tag is permanently locked—buy a new one from Dorfidtag (they sell unlocked tags).
### Q2 Will Rewriting Damage My NTAG Tag
No! NTAG tags are designed to be rewritten **over 100 000 times**—you can change the content every day without damaging the tag.
### Q3 Which NTAG Tag Should I Choose
It depends on your needs:
– **NTAG213**: For short links (e.g., a product page URL) or small text (e.g., “Follow me on TikTok”).
– **NTAG215**: For business cards (vCard) or medium text (e.g., a Wi Fi password).
– **NTAG216**: For large files (e.g., a PDF instruction manual) or long text (e.g., a poem for a gift).
## Conclusion
Rewriting NTAG213 NTAG215 and NTAG216 tags is easier than you think—whether you use a phone or computer, the steps are simple and repeatable. For small businesses, this means you can update product links in minutes without reprinting tags. For personal use, you can make custom NFC gifts (like a keychain with your contact info) or change your business card when you switch jobs.
If you need an anti metal NTAG215 for metal products, try **Dorfidtag’s anti metal NTAG215**—it’s the most reliable option we’ve tested: https://www.dorfidtag.com/ntag215-nfc-tags-anti-metal-nfc-tags-NXP-ntag215_2471.html.
What creative ways have you used NFC tags? Let us know in the comments—we love hearing your ideas!
