- I have no garage door opener so I added a tag in my car to open the smart garage without having to open the app and fiddle with things.
- I added a tag to our light switch that turns on our bedroom lamp (softer, more pleasant light at night).
- I added a door tag to unlock the door (no information contained on the tag so nobody can break in).
- I added a tag that pauses an automation at night so my stair lights don’t come on with motion sensing.
This is literally just the tip of the iceberg. I think of a new one every couple hours. Anyone have any other cool ones to share?
So how do you physically use these?
Have the tag on a surface, and touch your phone to it whilst connected to HA?
Never used RFID tags before, do you need to have the app open, or will it work with the phone locked?
I haven’t tried HA with NFC tags yet, but if I tap an NFC tag with my phone, it’ll show a list of app that can be launched to handle the tag. The phone need to be unlocked though.
HA handles them really well actually. You can flash them directly from the HA app, and as long as NFC is turned on on the phone, you can just scan them and execute whatever automation they’re tied to without opening the app. You can buy a 50 pack for like $15 on amazon/aliexpress.
Also if you have a 3D printer, you can slip them into your prints while printing and have them fully sealed inside the object (I have a giant 3D printed house key that has our wifi login embedded in it)