I have been looking at this “N” (see right) for weeks and have not figured out what it is doing.  I have turned off WiFi so it should not find an 802.11 N networks.  This was making me nuts.

what-is-the-N-on-my-samsung-galaxy-s3

It turns out that “N” relates to NEAR FEILD COMMUNICATION.  If you don’t know what that is, you will soon.  NFC allows your hand held device (typically a cell phone) to transfer data (like credit card information) to another device if it is VERY close to it.  Sooo, if you want to pay for your Coke, you could just tap your phone to the Coke machine and bingo, you b’een charged.  It is also used in Samsungs case to transfer files, pictures… between Galaxy S3 devices just by tapping the back of them together.

For now I have no use for it and like all radio’s, it is sucking down my battery, so I turn of NFC by:

  1. Clicking SETTINGS
  2. WIRELESS & NETWORKS
  3. unchcking NFC

27 Comments

Michael C Beavers · March 11, 2018 at 2:01 pm

I’m sure I didn’t turn it on but the devices we buy, and pay for, aren’t really our property. My S7, via ATT, even unlocked, only works if I stick with ATT. Total scam and I’m sure the latest Samsung update decided to turn that N on. Or maybe ATT did it. But who knows, they control “my” cell as well. THANKS FOR THE FIX

Sherica · June 5, 2017 at 2:50 pm

Thank you so much! Instant fix.

Erika · November 24, 2015 at 6:48 am

I just want to further clarify: I turned off the NFC by going to 1) “settings” then ‘connect and share”. I have a SG5.

Jehan · February 15, 2015 at 10:40 pm

Thank you!

paul · November 10, 2014 at 9:13 am

settings – more settings – nfc (allow exchange when device touches another device) switch off

suze williams · September 2, 2014 at 2:46 am

Perfect – thanks 🙂

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