Lost an access card, need a second chip for the door or a spare fob for the entrance? Sometimes the solution is copying an NFC or RFID card. It is not always possible, though, and you need to know the rules. Let us explain how it works, what can and cannot be done.

What NFC and RFID are

Both technologies work contactlessly, by holding the card to a reader:

  • RFID is a technology for contactless identification via radio waves. It is used in access cards, fobs, door chips, attendance records and in warehouses.
  • NFC is a newer and closely related technology with a short range. You find it in phones, payment cards, tickets and in small NFC tags (stickers).

Simply put, they are chips that send their identifier or data when held to a reader.

What copying is useful for

There are many legitimate reasons:

  • A spare or second card for your own entrance, gate or elevator.
  • An extra fob for a family member or employee.
  • Transferring access into a phone or into a more convenient form (for example from a card to a fob).
  • A replacement for a lost or damaged card.

Important: not every card can be copied

And this is key. Not every chip can be copied, and that is correct. Cards differ in their level of security:

  • Simple cards and tags (with only a fixed identifier) can usually be copied. They are cheap and widespread, but less secure.
  • Secured and encrypted cards (more modern chips with encryption and authentication) cannot be copied and should not be. That is exactly their purpose, to protect access. These include, for example, more advanced access systems and payment cards.

So if someone promises to copy absolutely any card, they are not telling the truth. The most secure ones cannot be copied, and that is a good thing.

Beware of security and the law

Copying is done only on your own cards or with the explicit consent of the access owner. Copying someone else’s access card without permission is illegal and we do not do it.

This article is also a reminder for building and company owners: if your access system uses cheap unencrypted cards, they can be easily copied. If you are dealing with sensitive access, it pays to switch to secured encrypted cards. This relates to securing premises and IoT.

What we can help with

We have the tools and experience, so we can help you:

  • We assess whether your card or tag can be copied, and honestly say when it cannot.
  • We make a spare or second card for your own access.
  • We transfer access into a more convenient form (card, fob, sticker).
  • We advise on securing the access system if we find it is weak.

It always holds that we work only with your own cards or with the owner’s consent.

Conclusion

Copying an NFC or RFID card is sometimes possible and is practical for spare and second cards for your own access. The most secure chips, however, cannot be copied, which is fine, because that is exactly what protects your access. The important thing is to do it legally and know what can and cannot be done.

Need to copy your own NFC or RFID card, tag or fob? Get in touch, we will assess whether it can be done and help with a solution.