NFC and QR
- Enabling Your project to use QR/NFC
- QR / NFC
- Using a QR code to service your installation
- Adding a NFC code/chip to your installation
- Finding your unique trap QR code
Enabling Your project to use QR/NFC
An administrator needs to enable the new NFC and QR functions in trap.nz
To enable the QR/NFC feature, access the edit tab of your project
Click on the “extra” tab on the right of the map; this will open a drop-down. Tick the check box “QR Codes.”
Click save to keep the changes.
QR / NFC
Trap.nz's NFC/QR code functionality streamlines fieldwork by providing context-sensitive actions based on user access level. Scanning a code:
- Opens the trap record form for existing project members.
- Offers to download the project if the user has access but hasn't synced it yet.
- Prompts to request membership for users not yet part of the project.
- Displays a "Join Trap.nz" option for new users.
This feature simplifies data entry, access, and collaboration directly from the field.
This can provide project details to the public and be used in conjunction with the project landing page content, to promote your conservation efforts.
About NFC / QR
QR codes can be read directly from the website, or printed. Most mobile phone cameras will read QR codes by default, but some may require QR functionality to be turned on.
NFC (near field communication) allows NFC enabled phones to read and write to NFC tags, allowing tap and go functionality for servicing installations. As of 2024 over 70% of mobile phones are NFC enabled.
Getting started
QR / NFC must be enabled on each project. To do so, on the project home page, select Edit, and check the QR Codes field is selected:
Where can I get NFC cards? NFC cards are available online in many shapes and formats depending on your needs (think waterproof, flexible, etc.) It is critical to get a supported type however, see supported types.
How do I enabled NFC?
For Android:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Connections (or Connected Devices depending on your device).
- Select NFC or Near Field Communication.
- Toggle NFC to On.
Note: The steps may vary slightly by manufacturer. If you don't see the option, your phone may not support NFC.
For iPhone:
- iPhone XS, XR, and later: NFC is enabled by default, no need to manually enable it.
- iPhone 7 to iPhone X: NFC is also on by default, but only works with apps that support NFC.
You can simply use an NFC-enabled app or approach an NFC terminal to start using it.
Supported NFC tag types
NXP - NTAG213, NXP - NTAG216, NXP - Mifare Ultralight
Note these are confirmed working. Other types may also work.
Android Trouble shooting:
When reading QR or NFC, Android is opening in the browser, not the App
Steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Apps & notifications (or Apps).
- Scroll down and find Trap.nz
- Tap on Set as default / Open by default.
- Ensure Open supported links is checked.
- Ensure Supported web addresses includes qr.trap.nz, and it is checked.
Using a QR code to service your installation
Enable QR in your project.
Administrators must enable this feature if you want to use QR features in your project.
What phone model cameras are compatible with QR?
Technically, all phone cameras are compatible with QR codes. However, some older phones may require an app for you to scan them. If your camera does not recognise a QR code, install a free QR reader from your app store.
The trap will have a QR code fixed to it.
Open your camera and point it at the QR code.
This will give you a trap.nz tab (see bottom of the screen). Tap this tab
If you are a project member and have been assigned the installation. It will open the add catches form for the installation so you can add records.
If you are a project member but haven’t been assigned the installation. You will be directed to the project but it will not open the add catches form.
If the project is private, and you are not a member, you will see the following screen.
If you are not in the project you will see the following screen.
Adding a NFC code/chip to your installation
If you'd like to use NFC features in your project, administrators will need to enable this feature.
Enabling NFC on your phone
iOS (iPhone):
NFC is automatically on for supported iPhones when needed. |
Android:
(Note: Steps may vary slightly by device.) |
If NFC options are not present, it may be that your phone doesn’t support NFC. In this case, QR is the alternative.
Adding NFC chips to your installations
Choose the trap to which you want to add the NFC code and open up the add catches form by tapping it.
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Click on the “Installation details” and scroll to the bottom of the form to the “Manage NFC,” this will open the NFC page where you can Write, Erase, or Lock a NFC code.
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To write a code, select the tab, “write NFC,” place the disc to be written on a flat surface, and hold the phone closely over it; you may need to slowly move it around to allow the phone to read the chip. When the phone recognises the chip, it will make an electronic chime or vibrate once it has created a link to the installation.
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Click on the screen, then select “done” to return to the add catches form, where you can select close to close the screen.
Fix the chip to your installation.
To open the catch form for the installation, simply hold your phone over the chip until it recognises it, and select trap.nz to open it, and you will be taken to the catch form if you are associated with the installation.
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If you have not been assigned to this installation or are not a project member, You will see the following messages.
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If the project is registered as a private project, you will see this message.
Finding your unique trap QR code
QR codes have now been generated for every trap listed on trap.nz. Once the project administrator activates the QR code feature, you can print them out and use your mobile phone camera to access the "Add Catches" form. (Most phones have this feature built-in, but some may require downloading a free QR code reader app.)
To find the unique code for your trap
Click on the trap (via the website) either using the map or the manage traps tab and click on the “view.”
This will open the trap-selected page, where you will now see the unique QR code for this trap.
Click on the QR. This will then open another page that shows the QR with the name of the project and the name of the installation.
If you have multiple installations for which you want to use QR codes, right-click on the image above and select "Copy image." We recommend pasting it into a table within a document that you can print. Alternatively, you can use the NFC function.