My tag isn't reading

It’s almost always one of these, and each takes a minute to fix. Check them in order.

If you tap a tag and nothing happens

Turn the screen on and unlock it. On Android, NFC also has to be on (Settings → Connected devices → NFC; the name changes by brand).
Hold the back of the phone to the tag and keep it still for a second or two. The antenna isn’t in the same place on every model: slide the phone slowly until you find the spot.
Clear the way. Thick cases, metal card holders and any metal between the phone and the tag weaken or block the signal. If the tag is stuck on metal, it needs to be an “anti-metal” tag.
Try another phone. If another phone opens it, the problem is with the first phone (NFC off, a case, or a model with no NFC), not the tag. If none opens it, it’s the tag or what was written to it.
On an iPhone, only the XS or later opens tags without an app. On an iPhone 7, 8 or X, use the QR code.

If it opens, but you see a notice

These notices come from the service, not from your phone.

“This tag isn’t set up yet”: that tag’s code doesn’t point anywhere yet, or the page it pointed to was deleted. If it’s your tag, open the vibedout Link app and finish setting it up.
“Briefly unavailable”: the link couldn’t be opened right now. Wait a few seconds and try again. If it stays that way, check the service status.
“Too many requests”: there were too many attempts in a row from the same connection. Wait a minute.
“Nothing here”: that tag’s code doesn’t exist in vibedout Link. The tag may not be a vibedout one, or the code was mistyped.
It opens a page you didn’t expect: whoever manages the tag changed where it points. If it’s yours, check its destination under My tags.

If the app won’t read or write your tag

The app says what happened. These are the most common messages and what to do about each:

“NFC is turned off.” Turn it on in Settings → Connected devices → NFC.
“This phone has no NFC hardware.” That phone can’t read or write tags. Neither can the Android emulator, which has no NFC: use a real phone.
“The tag moved too soon.” It came away from the phone while writing. Hold it still on the back of the phone until the app says it’s done, then try again. If the write was cut off partway, the tag may be blank or half-written; it can be written again.
“This tag is too small.” What you want to write doesn’t fit. Use a shorter URL, sign in to write a short vibedout link instead, or use a bigger tag (NTAG215 or NTAG216).
“This tag has a password.” It can only be written with its password. Enter it; and if you protected it yourself with your account, choose “Use my account’s saved password”.
“That password doesn’t match.” Don’t keep guessing: some tags lock for good after too many wrong tries. Check it calmly. If someone else protected it, only they can remove it.
“This tag is locked.” It’s read-only because another app locked it permanently. It can be read but not written any more: use a different tag.
“The tag refused the write.” It may be locked, or have a password the app doesn’t know. Try a different tag.
“This tag can’t hold a link.” It isn’t a type that can be written to, like a MIFARE Classic. Use an NTAG213, 215 or 216.
“Couldn’t set up this tag.” It’s blank and wouldn’t accept being set up: it may have moved, or be a type Android can’t format. Hold it still and try again; if it keeps failing, try an NTAG213, 215 or 216.

Check which chip your tag has

In Scan, hold the tag to the phone and the app shows which chip it is. You can write to NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216, and to MIFARE Ultralight EV1. The rest, like MIFARE Classic, NTAG 424 DNA or ICODE, aren’t supported: the app may recognise them, but don’t try to write to them. There’s more in the FAQ.

Find the best spot on your phone

Tools has a Hotspot finder (Android only). Hold a tag to the back and slide it slowly: the app shows how stable the connection is and buzzes faster as it improves; a long buzz means you’re on the spot. You can save it, and the Scan screen draws it. If you want to understand why where you tap matters, read how NFC tags work.

If it still doesn’t work

Try a fresh NTAG213 tag. If that one works, the first was damaged or not compatible.
Close the app completely and open it again.
Write to us with these details and we’ll sort it faster: your phone’s model and Android version, the app version, the chip Scan shows (or where you bought the tag), the exact message you see and whether the phone reads other tags. In Tools, “Device info” sums up what your phone’s NFC can do, and is useful for reporting faults.