Near field communication, or NFC, is a helpful type of technology that is available on many modern devices, including the Google Pixel 4A.
It allows you to send data and files to other devices that have the capability, such as payment terminals. This is how you can use things like Google or Apple Pay when you “tap to pay.”
But you might be concerned about its safety, even if it isn’t something that you are using at all.
You can turn off the NFC feature on your Pixel 4A by going to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > NFC > then tap the button to the right of NFC.
The focus of many major technology companies is to make it as easy as possible for you to complete certain tasks.
Attempting to incorporate technology into the payment process, or trying to make it easier to share files is something that is possible with NFC.
But, like many of the other wireless networking options on your Google smartphone, you are able to choose whether or not this is something that you keep turned on.
Our tutorial below will show you how to shut off the Pixel 4A NFC feature if you don’t want to use it or have it available.
How to Turn off NFC on a Google Pixel 4A
- Swipe up on the screen.
- Choose Settings.
- Select Connected devices.
- Touch Connection preferences.
- Choose NFC.
- Tap the NFC button.
Our guide continues below with additional information on disabling the Google Pixel 4A NFC setting, including pictures of these steps.
How to Enable or Disable NFC on a Pixel 4A (Guide with Pictures)
I am using a Google Pixel 4A that is running the Android 11 operating system.
You are able to toggle the NFC feature on or off as needed.
Note that when you turn off NFC, the “Contactless payments” option that is indicated on that screen will be disabled as well.
Step 1: Swipe up on your Home screen to open the app menu.
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the app list and select the Settings option.
Step 3: Choose Connected devices from the list of settings.
Step 4: Touch the Connection preferences button.
Step 5: Select the NFC option.
Step 6: Tap the button to the right of NFC to turn it on or off.
The setting is turned off when the button is not green. I have it turned off in the picture below.
Our tutorial continues below with additional discussion on the NFC feature for your Google Pixel phone.
More Information on Disabling NFC on Android 11
The steps in this article are specific to the Google Pixel 4A smartphone but will work for many other Android smartphones that are using the same operating system.
The NFC setting will stay off on your phone even if you restart it. if you decide to use an NFC feature later on, such as tap to pay with Google Pay, then you will need to go back to the Connection preferences menu and re-enable it.
Some of the other settings that appear on the Connection preferences menu include:
- Bluetooth
- Cast
- Printing
- Files received via Bluetooth
- Chromebook
- Driving mode
- Nearby Share
- Android Auto
Since this is a list of very useful and interesting features that you may want to take advantage of at some point, it’s good to familiarize yourself with this menu in case you want to come back here and make sure that Android Auto is turned on, for example, if you want to use your phone apps in a car that has Android Auto capabilities.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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