As technology changes, people’s habits change. This includes how they use their phones to pay for everyday items. Contactless payments have been more and more prominent in recent years and are quickly becoming the go to method. Times have also changed for charities as we have adapted to this new digital environment with contactless donations becoming more and more popular, as people use cash less often.
In February 2022 the Mercy Hospital Foundation begun rolling out Contactless Donations Methods on all our donation boxes throughout Cork. This can be done by tapping the Tag or scanning the QR Code. QR Codes are machine scannable images that work in the same way as barcodes do in the local supermarket, the same as the one below. NFC (Near Field Communication) Tags are small pieces of software that allow the user to tap their device against the tag to open a webpage.
Contactless Donations using QR Codes
QR Codes can be scanned by most mobile devices today, however some older models may require a QR Code Scanner App. These types of apps can be downloaded through Apple or Google Playstore if your device doesn’t already have one. If it is an older Apple device this facility may need to be switched on in your settings.
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Contactless Donations with NFC Tags
NFC Tags are readable by most modern phones, except older versions of the iPhone & Android. This capability can be switched on or is already set automatically if using Apple / Google Pay or depending on your settings (please see table below).
Please note there is no personal data transferred during any transaction. We will not contact you unless you have requested us to do so. Your options if you do want to be contacted are email, phone and mail.
How to donate contactless by scanning a QR Code:
- Unlock your phone and open your camera or QR Scanner App.
- Hold your phone over the QR Code.
- Your phone or app will automatically generate a link.
- Click this link and our donation page opens.
- Select the amount you wish to donate or add in another amount.
- You have the option to cover all transaction fees incurred by the Mercy Hospital Foundation – this is automatically ticked, and the cost generated is included in your donation. If you do not wish to do this untick “I agree to pay all fees” under the donation amount.
- You must select “Agree Terms & Conditions”.
- Depending on your device you will have the option of paying by Apple Pay or Google Pay. All devices have the option to pay by card.
- Select your preferred payment method. To pay by card select “Click for Card Payment”.
- For Apple and Google Pay a small pop up will appear and you simply select “Pay”.
- For Card Payments fill in your – Name, Email Address and your Card Details.
- Click “Confirm Donation.”
- You will have the option to stay in touch with us should you wish to hear from us in the future – add in email address or phone number and click “Save”.
- Your transaction ID will appear beneath this.
- You will have the option to have a receipt sent to your email if you wish – to do this select the box beside “Yes” and enter your email address, once you have done this click “Send Receipt”.
If your phones camera does not pick up the QR Code and you do not have a scanner app, you can simply Tap your phone by holding it over the “Tap” image in the centre of the box. Our donation page will pop up and you follow the same steps as above.
To Donate by Tapping your Android:
- Unlock your phone.
- Hold it close to the “Tap” image on the box by the middle / top section of your phone.
- Steps 3 - 15 oft he donation process are the same as the steps for scanning.
- Your phone will pick up the signal from the tag underneath the sticker.
- Our donation page will automatically open for you.
It is important to hold the middle or top part of your phone close to the “Tap” image for the donation page to open. If your phone does not pick up our donation page check to see is the NFC setting turned on or if you need an app.
To Donate by Tapping your iPhone:
In newer models of the iPhone, a slight tilt of your phone may be required towards the NFC image, so the top part of the phone is facing it. Point your phone directly at the NFC image on the sticker, like holding a remote towards a tv.
For older model iPhones, the NFC sensor in your phone is generally in the back rather than the top, generally it is in the upper or middle sections. If this is your first time trying to read an NFC Tag this may take a few goes to find the exact spot.
If Apple Pay is already set up on your phone and you have used it before, hold your phone in the same way and this should pick up and read the NFC Tag.
iPhone models that have an NFC Tag Reader already built in:
- iPhone XS (Max)
- iPhone XR,
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro (Max)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 13
- iPhone SE (2020)
This means that as soon as you unlock your screen and tap your phone the sensor in your phone will read the tag on the sticker and automatically open our donation page.
For iPhone 7 & 8 – Swipe up from the bottom of your screen until you find the NFC icon (see image below), then tap it to turn it on.
If you can’t find this shortcut in your phone or “NFC Tag Reader” in the Control Centre of your settings you may need to download an NFC Reader App through Apple Store on your phone.
Does my Android have NFC Capabilities?
To see is your Android device capable of reading NFC Tags do the following:
- Go “Settings”.
- Select “Connections”.
NFC and Payment may be automatically switched on if you use Google Pay. If not select the toggle to the right and it will turn on.
For a quicker way to check pull down the Settings Short-Cut menu form the top of your screen. Swipe Left and the NFC option should be there. If it is on it will be highlighted blue, if not it is switched off. To turn it on simply click the icon.
For Apple Devices follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings”.
- Select “Control Centre”.
- Scroll down until you find “NFC Tag Reader”.
- Press the plus symbol beside “NFC Tag Read” to turn it on.
For devices that already have Apple / Google Pay set up there is no need to worry about this as the NFC setting on your phone should already be switched on.
iPhone models that have an NFC Tag Reader already built in:
- iPhone XS (Max)
- iPhone XR,
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro (Max)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 13
- iPhone SE (2020)
Which model of the iPhone DOES read NFC Tags?
iPhone models that do have NFC Tag Readers are:
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone X iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020 model)
- iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max and 12 Mini
- iPhone 13, 13 Pro Max and 13 Mini
Which models of the iPhone CANNOT read NFC Tags?
NFC cannot be read on iPhone 6, 6+, 6S, 6S+, SE (2016) or older are not supported with NFC.
For Full Terms & Conditions Click Here.
