Frequently asked questions

Currently, the Smart Chip can be used for contactless payment and digital business cards. In the future, other functions such as digital keys will be available.

The Smart Chip becomes active when it is held up to an NFC reader, e.g. a smartphone or a credit card reader at the checkout. Depending on the query by the reader, the corresponding information is read and executed.

You can find all studios and points of sale that offer the Smart Chip in the Studiofinder. You can make a pre-order and will be contacted by the relevant studio for an appointment.

Smart Chips are applied by trained nail professionals in certified studios. This takes approx. 5 to 10 minutes. Please make sure to have the SC app installed on your smartphone at the time of the appointment.

The Smart Chip grows with the nail. When the Smart Chip is applied, you will receive a file set with which you can shorten your nail. After about 6 to 9 weeks, the Smart Chip has moved too far up the nail to be shortened. Then you need a new Smart Chip. The existing Smart Chip is removed and destroyed in the nail salon and a new one is applied.

The duration depends on what length of fingernail you’re comfortable with. The longer you let your fingernails grow, the longer the Smart Chip will last.

Please note that the lifespan of a Smart Chip is limited to 3 months.

Unlike cash, card or smartphone payments, the Smart Chip is always with you, even in places where you often don’t have anything on you (swimming pool, beach, gym, etc.). Even if you have your smartphone or wallet with you, the Smart Chip is faster and more convenient: you don’t have to get anything out to pay. In addition, Smart Chip cannot be lost or forgotten, and it offers more security: A Smart Chip cannot be stolen or read and does not have to be handed over at any time, which means that sensitive data is not accessible to third parties.

Yes, the Smart Chip is coated with a gel varnish that makes it waterproof and protects it from dust and other external influences. You can wash your hands, bathe and swim, do sports, etc. without any restrictions.

No, the Smart Chip has no problems with either cold or heat and can withstand both longer than the fingers themselves.

Smart Chip has its own operating system that will make it possible to add a whole range of new functions in the future. Some areas under development are digital keys for homes, offices and cars, public transportation tickets, identification and much more.

The Smart Chip is securely attached to your fingernail. In the rare event that it comes loose, you can simply deactivate it in the SC app and make an appointment to attach a new chip.

Yes, any nail polish system can be applied over the Smart Chip without affecting its function.

Yes, you have two options:

You can leave the Smart Chip visible on the nail with either a glossy or a matte finish.

Or you can use a so-called “camouflage”: Nail professionals use a nail polish color that matches the color of your other fingernails. This makes the Smart Chip almost invisible.

The Smart Chip is activated via the cell phone’s NFC function. First make sure that the NFC function of your cell phone is activated. To activate the Smart Chip, click on “Add your Smart Chip” in the home area of the app and hold the Smart Chip to your phone’s NFC reader. This activation is typically done in the nail studio when you get your Smart Chip.

Services can be added in the Wallet area of the SC app. For the payment function, the card data is loaded onto the Smart Chip in encrypted form via the NFC function of the cell phone. This process is not necessary for the business card.

The NFC reader is located in different places on different cell phones. On iPhones, it is usually located on the top edge near the camera. On Android devices, it is often located below the camera, more in the middle on the back of the phone. You can find more information here.

To comply with the EU Payment Services Directive 2, your Smart Chip will be automatically deactivated if you make consecutive low value transactions (under €50) with a cumulative value of €150. To reactivate your Smart Chip, simply authenticate yourself in the SC app.

There may be several reasons for this:

• Only the cardholder of the linked debit card can activate the Smart Chip.
• Have you entered the correct activation code that you received by text message?

If you have another activation problem, please contact your bank advisor.

To ensure the required security, you can only reactivate your Smart Chip via the SC app on your phone. This prevents the loss of funds from your bank account.

Before paying for the first time, you must link a credit or debit card to your Smart Chip. The Smart Chip app will guide you through this process step by step.

Then simply hold your finger to the NFC reader at the checkout, just like you are used to doing with contactless credit card or smartphone payments.

Smart Chip works with all terminals that accept contactless credit card payments.

If your bank, as the provider of your Mastercard credit or debit card, allows it to be used for wearables, it can simply be connected to your Smart Chip via the Smart Chip app. During this process, the card number is converted into a token and added to the Smart Chip via your smartphone’s NFC signal.

Currently, the following cards are accepted:

• Postfinance
• Cembra
• Swissbankers Life Digital Card
• Curve

We are currently working with banks to provide more and more cards in the future.

You can add, deactivate and remove cards in the Smart Chip app.

Only for payment amounts above a certain threshold. The threshold value varies depending on the country and card.

No. The Smart Chip has a range of just 2 cm. This is too short to activate it accidentally.

Yes. Go to your Smart Chip in the App, choose your card and deactivate the Slider next to “Payment with Smart Chip activated”.

Smart Chip data is stored in Switzerland. We work with the leading Swiss company in the cloud sector to ensure security and privacy. The payment process follows the same international standards that are used for normal credit card payments.

The Smart Chip has the same security measures as existing payment methods. In addition, no card data is stored on the Smart Chip. These are converted into a token upon activation, which can only be used with the Smart Chip in question and does not work on other devices. Data for other functions is also protected by the highest security standards.

We use the highest security standards to ensure the security of your data.

The Smart Chip app is secured with a PIN or your biometric data. In addition, the Smart Chip App cannot be used for shopping without your Smart Chip. If you wish, you can log into your Smart Chip account via the website and delete your cards.

The Smart Chip is completely destroyed when it is removed and is no longer readable.

No. The Smart Chip has neither GPS nor batteries. It is inactive until it is near an NFC reader.

No, this information is not stored on the Smart Chip or in the Smart Chip App.

No. The Smart Chip has no microphone and no batteries.

The chips are produced by Infineon Technologies AG at three locations: Austria, Germany and Malaysia.

The Smart Chip consists mainly of silicone. In addition, only very small quantities (<0.01mg) of titanium, gold, nickel, copper and polyamide are used.

No. The chip must be firmly attached to a nail processing system and is normally completely destroyed when it is removed. In addition, only very small quantities of raw materials such as copper or gold are used for production. Recycling would not be worthwhile for these small quantities.

Smart Chip Switzerland AG is the company behind the Smart Chip.

Smart Chip Switzerland AG was founded in 2013 when CEO Claude Niedermann had the first idea. At that time, this idea was not yet feasible.

Only certified nail salons and beauty salons are allowed to offer the Smart Chip. Read more on how to become a Smart Chip partner here.

Everything you need to know is explained on the SC Partner page.