In January, I began an experiment of wearing an Apple Watch, a product whose customer segment I thought I would never enter. A client gifted me a Series 2. No sooner did I enjoy having quicker access to incoming phone calls, text messages, and other notifications, especially when my phone was in my pocket or another room.

However, the watch was a tad slow to respond sometimes. As the appreciation so quickly grew on me, I replaced it with an Apple Watch SE.

Then, my gripes shifted to the tedium of logging workouts. I didn’t want to have to talk to Siri or tap a couple buttons to start a cycling workout, especially as the watch is usually covered by my sleeve and sometimes I’m already in gloves.

Thanks to the Mac Geek Gab podcast and discussions with host Dave Hamilton, I learned how to use NFC tags and shortcuts to automate my experience.

What is NFC?

NFC stands for Near-field Communication. An NFC tag is often a small, thin disc with a solid colored surface, some circuitry hidden below or inside, and a tiny amount of data storage capacity. When a compatible, pre-programmed device comes in contact with the tag, the stored information can trigger an action.

NFC tags are not self-powered. Instead, they are powered wirelessly by the contacting device for just the length of time they’re touching. That’s enough to communicate what they have to share.

Work It Out

Apple Watch itself cannot communicate with NFC tags, but iPhone 7 or later can. Since Apple Watch is linked to iPhone and mirrors a lot of its activity, iPhone can operate as the host for actions triggered by contacting an NFC tag.

In my case, I discovered I could start a workout on Apple Watch in this way. In the Shortcuts app, I created a simple workflow:

  1. Personal Automation
  2. NFC
  3. Scan NFC tag and give it a name
  4. Action: Start Workout — Outdoor Cycling
  5. Don’t Ask Before Running

Now, when I touch my iPhone’s NFC reader — which is in the top corner opposite the camera — to the NFC tag on my bike lock, it triggers the Fitness app, and effectively my Apple Watch, to start an Outdoor Cycling Workout.

For me, the only thing missing is the ability to end a workout with an equivalent workflow. Unfortunately, Shortcuts doesn’t support this action so I have to lift my wrist and reveal my watch to accomplish it. I’ve submitted feedback to Apple about the discrepancy.

Also, I learned that only specific models of NFC tags can work on metal surfaces. I initially bought some incompatible tags and subsequently chose one that would actually work in this scenario, since I wanted to put the tag on my bike.

Trip the Light

Our front table lamp is on a timer via a Kasa smart outlet and the location of the outlet requires getting on my hands and knees if I want to switch it manually. Kasa, a brand of TP-Link, doesn’t natively support Apple’s HomeKit, but I’ve added the outlet to my Home using the TPL Bridge app. [Update: As of 2023, I use HomeBridge to integrate Kasa non-HomeKit devices in my Home.]

With all this in place, I have similar choices as before:

  • Tap a couple buttons on iPhone or Apple Watch to switch the light on or off
  • Ask Siri to do it
  • Use an NFC tag

Another thing I discovered is that NFC tags don’t respect a toggle between two states. They can really only influence one specific action at a time, so switching a light on is separate from switching it off. Therefore, I actually need two tags to accomplish both of these actions.

There are several models of NFC tag. Not only is there a choice of color and size, some are offered with an adhesive backing and, as I said above, only some are compatible with metal surfaces.

Additionally, there are some older versions with lower data capacity that are also slower to respond and/or require closer contact with a host device.

I recommend the NTAG216 variant with the metal compatibility of your choice from Begin Industries, a family-owned business based in Washington, D.C. If you’re curious to add this product family to your life and want more insight, you know where to find me.