Bitkey says “NFC Error.”

If you see a message that says “NFC Error” while trying to tap your Bitkey device to your phone, your phone wasn’t able to make a stable NFC connection.

This can happen if the connection is interrupted, the position isn’t correct, or the device isn’t held still long enough to connect.

Try these steps
 

Unlock your Bitkey device first

• Place your finger on the sensor and hold until your Bitkey shows it’s ready, then remove your finger before tapping your device to your phone

  If you’re using Bitkey without a screen: place your finger on the sensor and hold until the LED turns green, then remove your finger before tapping your device to your phone.

Position your devices

Hold your phone directly against your Bitkey device so they are touching and keep both still until they connect.

The NFC reader is typically on the back of your phone.

    On iPhone

Place your Bitkey device with the screen facing up Hold the top of your iPhone (near the camera) against the top of the device Keep both devices touching and still until they connect If you’re using Bitkey without a screen: place the device with the LED facing up and hold your phone against the back of the device.

    On Android

Place your Bitkey device with the screen facing up Hold your phone against the back of your device and keep it still If you’re using Bitkey without a screen: place the device with the LED facing up and hold your phone against the back of the device. Find the NFC reader location on your phone (this varies by device): Start near the top of your phone If it doesn’t connect, try the other common locations Once you find the right spot, use that same position each time.

Keep your devices connected

For each NFC interaction:

• Hold your Bitkey device against the back of your phone until you see the Success message.
• The Success message is only displayed briefly, so keep an eye out for it.
• As soon as you see Success, separate the phone and Bitkey.
• Wait for the next prompt in the app before bringing the devices together again.

Pulling the devices apart before Success appears can interrupt the connection. Likewise, leaving them together after Success can interfere with the next NFC interaction and result in an NFC error.

For longer actions
Some actions, such as firmware updates, may take longer to complete or require multiple NFC interactions. Follow the prompts in the app and repeat the steps above each time you're asked to tap your Bitkey.

Remove interference

• Remove any thick phone cases or magnetic accessories
• Remove items like credit cards, IDs, or key fobs from your phone case

Try again

• Keep your phone and Bitkey device in contact for a few seconds
• Make sure your phone is unlocked
• Lift and reposition slightly if needed (avoid sliding the device across your phone)