Non-Iron TagReader for Home Assistant
Easy do‑it‑yourself NFC tag reader kit that requires no soldering. Snap‑together hardware and simple self‑updating firmware make it perfect for Home Assistant enthusiasts who want a working NFC reader without any special tools.
Why this TagReader
- Uses off‑the‑shelf parts that are easy to buy and ship worldwide
- No soldering iron required
- Many community members report that Adonno’s tagreader is often unavailable, so this project offers an accessible alternative
Non-Iron TagReader Bill-of-Materials
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Atom Lite controller M5Stack Official Store on AliExpress
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RFID unit M5Stack Official Store on AliExpress
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3D‑printed enclosure: download the case models here or order a print through the JLC3DP service here. For best results, I suggest SLA resin with selectable color and surface finish.
Quickstart
- Get the enclosure: print or buy. It is also safe to use M5Stack components without any additional case.
- Assemble using snap‑and‑fit connectors. Screws and inserts are optional.
- Flash the firmware with ESP Web Tools below.
- Use the Home Assistant mobile app to onboard the reader via Bluetooth.
- Enjoy using it!
Firmware
- non-iron-tagreader-atom-lite.yaml simple NFC tag reader with passive BLE proxy
Installation
You can use the button below to install the pre-built firmware directly to your device via USB from the browser.
Select your version
Installer powered by ESP Web Tools
How to use it
- Discover your new TagReader with Home Assistant mobile app
- Open the Tags panel in Home Assistant. You can use the button below
- Try scanning any NFC tag
- If you have a writable NTAG and want to also use phone scanning, just write the tagID back to the tag with HA mobile app and this yellow marked button
Home Assistant writes a link with tagID so it can be recognized by your phone and pushed to HA for processing.
For more information, check out the Home Assistant documentation for tags.
NFC tag reader for HA options
- Adonno’s tagreader https://github.com/adonno/tagreader
- usb direct connected reader - any options here?
- TagTuner NFC music player https://luka6000.github.io/TagTuner/
Feel free to contribute updates for other available DIY projects.
Disclaimer
All of this is my personal hobby project, available for free download and personal use. If you’d like to support me with a coffee, beer, filament, or electronic parts, feel free to use paypal.me/lukagra or ko-fi.com/lukagra
Links to parts listed above are affiliate links, which allow me to earn a small commission from your purchase. Thank you! 🙏
This work, including yaml files, 3d models and documentation, is licensed under
Creative Commons (4.0 International License) Attribution—Noncommercial—Share Alike
ESPHome components modifications are licensed under ESPHome license