Individuals
NFC ring and payment: what you need to know
“NFC ring” refers to two very different objects: rings used to pay contactless, and rings used to share your contact details. They use the same technology, but in completely different ways. Here is how to tell them apart.
Not every NFC ring can be used to pay
NFC (Near Field Communication) is the technology behind contactless: payment, transport cards, access badges, sharing a link. An NFC ring is therefore not necessarily a payment ring: it all depends on the chip inside and what is stored on it.
How does a payment ring work?
A payment ring carries a secure payment chip, linked to a bank card through a specialised service. It is used on contactless payment terminals, just like a card. This type of ring requires signing up with that service and a compatible bank card.
And a contact ring like ORA?
The ORA ring holds a simple NFC chip that stores a link to your profile. When it is held near a smartphone, your profile opens in the browser: contact details, social networks, website, links. No app, no battery, no bank: it holds no banking data.
Which one to choose?
- To pay without taking out your card: a payment ring, linked to your bank.
- To share your contact details in one gesture, at a meeting or an evening event: a contact ring.
They are two different objects that meet different needs.
The ORA Ring
The ORA Ring is made of high-density ceramic, harder than a standard metal: it does not scratch in everyday use and keeps its finish. The chip sits inside the ceramic, out of sight. Your profile can be changed at any time from your ORA space, while the ring stays the same.
Frequently asked questions
Can the ORA ring be used to pay?
No, it is only used to share your contact profile.
If I lose my ORA ring, is my banking data exposed?
No, it holds none: only a link to your profile.
Does it need charging?
No, the chip is passive and is powered by the smartphone's field when it is read.
Does it work with every phone?
With almost every recent smartphone: automatically on iPhone XS and later, through Control Center on iPhone 7 to X, and on Android when NFC is turned on.