NFC Tags

BYO Tags: Using Your Own NFC Chip

You don't need to buy a FoundYa tag - any standard NFC chip works with the platform.

FoundYa works with any NFC chip, not just our own tags. A $2 NFC sticker from an electronics store gets you on the exact same platform as our premium tags.

Compatible chips

Any NFC chip that supports NDEF (the standard data format for NFC) will work. Common options:

NFC stickers - thin adhesive discs, easy to attach inside a collar pouch or on a flat tag
NFC coins - thicker, more durable, good for attaching to D-rings
NFC cards - credit-card-sized, useful for pet carriers or crates
NTAG213, NTAG215, NTAG216 - all supported; NTAG216 offers more storage for the offline vCard

Tip

Search for "NTAG215 NFC sticker" or "NTAG216 coin tag" on Amazon, eBay, or your local electronics retailer. They typically cost $1-3 each.

How to register a BYO chip

Download the FoundYa app if you haven't already
Go to Tags → Register Tag
Tap the NFC chip against your phone - the app reads its unique ID
Link it to your pet and choose your NFC mode

The process is identical to registering a FoundYa-branded tag.

Limitations of BYO chips

No physical tag included - BYO chips don't ship with a housing, but you can download the 3MF from the Tag Designer and 3D-print a custom tag for your chip.
Durability varies - cheap stickers may not survive rain, sand, or heavy play. Consider sealing them or using a protective case.
Password protection - not all chips support password locking. FoundYa will attempt to set a password where the hardware allows it.

Why we support this

The platform is the product, not the hardware. We believe every pet should have a smart tag regardless of budget. If you want a polished, durable, custom-designed tag, we sell those too - but the barrier to entry should be as low as possible.

Next steps

Register an NFC Tag for the full registration walkthrough
Choosing QR, NFC, or Both to understand mode options