How to Scan Your Tangem Wallet
To interact with your Tangem Wallet, you need to scan your Tangem card or ring using a smartphone with full NFC support. Follow the steps below to scan your Tangem device correctly.
Before you start
Make sure that:
- NFC is enabled in your smartphone settings, including for the Tangem app.
- Your phone is unlocked.
- The Tangem app is open and the scanning window is active.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1: Locate the NFC area on your phone
The NFC antenna is located in different places depending on the device.
On iPhones, the NFC module is located at the top of the phone near the front-facing camera. When you tap Scan card or ring in the Tangem app, an animation will show how to position the device.
On Android smartphones, the NFC antenna location varies by brand and model. You can check the exact location using your device manual or the manufacturer's support page: Samsung, Huawei, Sony Xperia, Google Pixel, Motorola, LG, HTC, Nokia. You can also tap How to in the Tangem app scanning window to locate the NFC area.
Step 2: Position your Tangem Wallet
Hold the Tangem card or ring close to the NFC area on your phone.
Make sure there are no obstacles between the wallet and the phone, such as thick phone cases.
To scan the Tangem Ring, remove it from your finger and place it next to your phone.
Step 3: Tap and hold
Keep the wallet steady against the phone until the scan is complete.
When scanning is successful, your phone will show a visual or sound confirmation.
Step 4: Move the wallet away
Once the scan is complete, remove the card or ring from the phone.
Only hold the Tangem Wallet near the phone when the app asks you to scan it and the scanning window is active. Do not keep the wallet near your smartphone while entering the access code.
We do not recommend storing the Tangem card in your phone's case.
Scanning Tips
- Remove your phone case if scanning does not work.
- Keep both the phone and the wallet still during scanning.
- If scanning fails, restart your smartphone and try again.
Video Guides
How to scan a Tangem card:
How to scan a Tangem Ring:
FAQ
What are the technical requirements for using the hardware wallet?
To access the wallet, your smartphone must run Android 6.0 or later or iOS 15.0 or later. These versions fully support Near Field Communication (NFC). However, this support does not extend to the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, or the first-generation iPhone SE.
Please note that iPhone 7/7 Plus and some Android models do not fully support NFC, preventing the necessary data transfer for creating backups during setup.
However, you can use any other supported smartphone to create a backup.
Here is a list of Android devices that do not support backups: Xiaomi Redmi 5, Xiaomi Redmi 9C, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy A22s, Vivo V23e, Tecno Pova Neo 2, and Tecno Pova 3 (the list is updated regularly).
Here is a list of Android devices with weak NFC modules that may cause scanning difficulties: Samsung Galaxy A30S, Xiaomi Redmi 9C, Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 / 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy A52 (the list is updated regularly).
Full app functionality is not guaranteed on devices running custom firmware (modified by parties other than the manufacturer).
Where can I download the Tangem app?
The Tangem app is available for download on the App Store, Google Play, and GitHub.
Can I use the wallet with a PC or tablet?
No, tablets and PCs cannot be used with the Tangem Wallet because they do not have an inbuilt NFC module.
The Tangem Wallet relies on the NFC antenna to communicate and transmit encrypted information between a smartphone and the wallet. The NFC technology is activated only when the wallet is close to the smartphone's NFC area.