docs: NFC antenna by HW

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scgbckbone 2026-06-01 13:27:48 +02:00 committed by doc-hex
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## Usage
Mk4 NFC antenna is centered under number `8` on the keypad. Before using NFC,
The NFC antenna location depends on the hardware:
- **Mk4**: a PCB trace loop, centered under number `8` on the keypad.
- **Mk5**: a discrete coil (`L6`) in the **top-right corner** of the device
- **Q1**: a flexible "sticker" antenna behind the display. The green LED below the
bottom-right of the display (`D12`) lights up while an NFC transfer is active —
it is the activity indicator, not the antenna.
![nfc tap sweet-spots per model](nfc-tap-locations.png)
Before using NFC,
it is important to locate the position of NFC antenna on your device and point it
correctly towards the Coldcard NFC antenna. Picture below shows an example with iPhone
that has NFC antenna located at the top right edge. The NFC smartphone antenna
@ -36,7 +46,7 @@ in general. Good interoperability is critical with radio standards.
## Lower Layers
The Coldcard Mk4 has an chip that acts as a Type 5 NFC tag. The
The Coldcard has a chip that acts as a Type 5 NFC tag. The
radio standard is called "NFC-V" or ISO-15693, and operates on a
13.56 Mhz carrier wave.
@ -58,9 +68,13 @@ unless we are actively sharing something. We disable the "energy
harvesting" features of the chip, so it will not do anything when
the Coldcard is powered-down, regardless of the NFC setting.
If the above is not enough for you, the antenna can be destroyed
by cutting the trace labeled "NFC" inside the hole for the MicroSD
card. Use the point of a sharp knife to cut and peel up the trace.
If the above is not enough for you, the antenna can be destroyed:
- **Mk4**: cut the trace labeled "NFC" inside the hole for the MicroSD card,
using the point of a sharp knife to cut and peel up the trace.
- **Mk5**: has no such trace — its antenna is the discrete coil `L6` in the
top-right corner, which would have to be physically removed instead.
- **Q1**: cut the trace labeled "NFC DATA" under the batteries.
The NFC traffic is not encrypted and is subject to eavesdropping.
While the NFC feature is active, your Coldcard can be uniquely

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