Mobile access without wallets:
Open doors with NFC HCE on iOS and Android
With this new usability upgrade, NFC HCE becomes even more intuitive, faster to use, and more attractive for manufacturers looking to deliver a smooth, wallet-free mobile access experience.
A New Access Experience: One Tap From the Lock Screen
Before iOS widgets, the NFC HCE flow required users to:
- Wake the phone.
- Start the app.
- Click the button.
- Present the device to the reader.
The experience was already strong, however too long, whereas widgets remove the friction entirely. Now, the user simply taps a widget on the lock screen. The app activates instantly, the credential is prepared, and the phone is ready for contactless presentation.
The result: a one tap mobile credential experience that feels as natural as using a physical badge.
See It in Action
Beyond Unlocking: Widgets Enable New Automation Scenarios
Up to four widgets can be added to the lock screen simultaneously. This delivers the opportunity for a range of value-added use cases, including ones that were previously complicated, slow to access, or impossible with standard Wallet-based access.
1. Passage / Office Mode
Users can activate a mode where the door remains unlocked for the current daily schedule (e.g., 8:30–18:00). Ideal for coworking spaces, office hours, or shared environments.
2. Intrusion System Arming and Disarming
A dedicated widget can automatically:
- Disarm the intrusion system before entry.
- Arm it when leaving.
Full Feature Control
The security solution provider retains full control over which features appear on the lock screen and can replicate any in-app logic directly in widgets.
How It Works: Widget Activation, Same Security
What changes:
- Faster activation.
- Higher usability.
- Only one interaction step (a single tap).
What stays the same:
- Full NFC-HCE security.
- App-based credential control.
- The Wallet can be further used for payments.
The system retains all security benefits, combined with a significantly improved user experience.
Want to turn NFC HCE into a competitive advantage?
Strategic Advantages for Manufacturers
1. No Wallet Licensing Fees
- Does not require provisioning through Apple services.
- Does not require Apple integration and reader certification.
- Avoids all recurring wallet licensing fees.
This means predictable long-term economics and higher margins for solution providers.
2. Full Control of Functions and the Entire Value Chain
- The credential lifecycle.
- The user experience.
- Data usage and privacy.
- Feature updates and roadmap.
There is no dependency on Apple’s policies, pricing, or technical constraints.
3. Independence From Proprietary Wallet Ecosystems
- Reader certification requirements as ECP2.
- Vendor lock-in.
- Unpredictable ecosystem or OS-level change disruptions.
Your product strategy remains entirely yours.
4. Hardware-Friendly: No Reader Replacement Needed
NFC HCE supports all readers operating the ISO 7816-4 standard with only minor firmware – level adjustments, so no hardware replacement is required. If your reader already supports NFC HCE on Android, a minor tweak is sufficient to enable it for iOS as well.
5. New Capabilities for Lock Manufacturers: Bidirectional Data Flow (Network-on-Card)
- Network-on-card workflows, similar to advanced RFID card implementations
- Support for OSS-SO or similar standards on mobile (battery state, audit trail, configuration data, etc.)
- Extending offline-capable logic from physical RFID cards to mobile devices
- Maintaining existing security and operational models without redesigning hardware
For manufacturers with established network-on-card and data-on-card implementations, NFC HCE makes it possible to extend these capabilities to mobile—something that wallet-based systems simply cannot provide.
6. Enhanced User Adoption
A single-tap access experience is inherently more appealing. The fewer the steps, the higher the adoption rate in real-world deployments.
Learn More About the Technology
This article expands on the capabilities introduced in our original NFC HCE publication. To understand the core technology behind wallet-free NFC mobile access, read:
Mobile access without wallets:
Open doors with NFC HCE on iOS and Android
Conclusion: Usability That Strengthens Your Strategy
The combination of NFC HCE and iOS lock screen widgets brings a new level of convenience to mobile access control.
Users benefit from a near-instant access experience, while manufacturers and solution providers gain complete autonomy: no wallet dependencies, no licensing fees, and full control over features, data, and the entire value chain.
If you are exploring mobile access enhancements or want to integrate widget-based flows into your solution, CoreWillSoft is ready to support you throughout the journey.
