HCE Emulation: Your Android Smartphone Becomes an NFC Tag

What is HCE Emulation?

HCE (Host Card Emulation) is an Android technology that allows your smartphone to behave like an NFC tag. Concretely, when someone brings their phone close to yours, your information is displayed automatically.

The Magic Behind HCE

1. The other phone emits an NFC signal
2. Your Android smartphone captures this signal
3. Cards Control automatically sends your business card
4. The recipient sees your information displayed

Result: You share your card without touching anything, even with your phone in your pocket!

Why It's Revolutionary

Before HCE - Buy physical NFC tags - Program them one by one - Always have them on you - Impossible to change content without rewriting

With HCE + Cards Control - **Zero investment**: Your phone is enough - **Multi-profiles**: Consultant, trainer, personal... Switch with a tap - **Instant updates**: Change your info, it's immediate - **Always with you**: You forget your cards, never your phone

Configuration in Cards Control

Prerequisites - Android 4.4+ smartphone (99% of current devices) - NFC enabled (Settings > Connections > NFC) - Cards Control installed

Activation

1. Open Cards Control
2. Go to Settings > NFC Emulation
3. Enable "HCE Emulation"
4. Choose your default card
5. Ready!

Advanced Options

#### Screen-off Emulation In Pro mode, your card is shareable even when the screen is off. Perfect for trade shows where you don't want to unlock constantly.

#### Quick Profile Switch A widget allows you to switch between your different cards from the home screen.

Compatibility

Phones That Receive Your Card - **All NFC smartphones** (Android and iPhone) - No app needed on the recipient's side - A web page opens automatically

Phones That Can Emulate (Send) - **Android 4.4+** with NFC - **iPhone**: No emulation possible (Apple blocks HCE), but Cards Control offers QR code and shareable link

FAQ

Does the screen need to be on? By default yes, but Pro mode allows screen-off emulation.

What is the range? About 4cm, like any NFC exchange. This is intentional to avoid unwanted readings.

Does it drain a lot of battery? No, the NFC antenna is passive. It only consumes during an active exchange (a few seconds).

What if I also want a physical tag?

HCE emulation doesn't exclude physical tags! You can:

• Emulate with your phone daily
• Use an [NFC card](/shop/product/carte-nfc-ntag213-blanche) at formal events
• Stick a [sticker](/shop/product/etiquette-nfc-ntag213-25mm-blanche) on your laptop
• Wear a [key fob](/shop/product/porte-cles-abs-nfc-ntag213) as backup

HCE vs Physical Tag: When to Use What?

Situation	Recommendation
Client meeting	HCE (phone in hand)
Trade show	HCE + physical card backup
Counter/reception	[NFC Display Stand](/shop/product/presentoir-nfc)
On your desk	[30mm Sticker](/shop/product/etiquette-nfc-ntag213-30mm-blanche)
Client gift	[Premium bamboo card](/shop/product/carte-nfc-ntag213-bambou)

## Conclusion

HCE emulation transforms your Android into the ultimate networking tool. It's free, instant, and always with you.

Ready to try?

1. [Download Cards Control](/) from the Play Store
2. Enable HCE emulation in settings
3. Bring your phone close to another... and admire!

To complete your arsenal, discover our [physical NFC tags](/shop): stickers, cards, key fobs and more.