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Supported Hardware

nfc-keyboard-emulator works with any contactless reader that the operating system exposes through the PC/SC smartcard stack.

RequirementDetail
InterfacePC/SC (CCID) — the OS must enumerate the reader as a smartcard device
Frequency13.56 MHz contactless only
Verified deviceACS ACR122U
OS supportmacOS, Windows

The app reads the card UID by transmitting the standard get-data APDU FF CA 00 00 00 and inspecting the 90 00 success trailer. It never writes to cards.

  • 125 kHz / proximity-only readers — these do not use the PC/SC protocol and are not compatible.
  • Readers that already emulate a USB keyboard — there is nothing for this app to do; the reader types the UID itself.
  • Linux — not a supported platform.

The reader must be visible to the operating system’s PC/SC service before the app can list it:

  • macOS — the built-in com.apple.security.smartcard framework handles CCID readers automatically.
  • Windows — the Windows Smart Card service (SCardSvr) handles CCID readers; install the manufacturer’s driver only if Windows does not recognise the device automatically.

If a reader is not listed in the app, confirm that the OS sees it first (e.g. Device Manager on Windows), then use the Refresh button or replug the device. See Readers for details.