User Guide

Getting Started

What You’ll Need

The WayAround App

The WayAround App is free in the iOS App Store or Google Play by clicking the buttons below.

WayTags

You’ll need WayTag NFC tags to attach to items around your home or office. With the WayAround app, you can add information to your WayTags and then read that information repeatedly. Visit our online store to purchase WayTags.

Use the resources below for ideas about which types of WayTags to use on different items:

Accessories like safety pins, rubber and silicone bands, labels, and more can help you attach a WayTag to anything.

Create Your WayAround Account

Your free WayAround account allows WayAround to back up your WayTag data to the cloud automatically.

Before using WayAround, you will need to set up your account. There are two ways to get started:

1. Download the app and establish a username and password.
2. If you have already ordered from our store and created an account at checkout, you can use those credentials to log in to the app. Forgot your username or password? Go here to manage your account.

If you have not created an account, you may do so through the app.

1. Download and open the WayAround app.
2. You will be prompted to enter a username and password.
3. For your username, enter your full email address.
4. Create a password.
5. Once you select the log-in button, you can start using the app. Your username and password will be your information for all things WayAround, including when you place an order from our store!

About the WayLink Scanner

The WayLink scanner is our convenient accessory that makes it fast and easy to scan WayTag NFC tags. Continuous scanning lets you quickly check one WayTag NFC tag after another while keeping your phone hands-free!

The WayLink scanner is an NFC reader that connects to your smart device wirelessly via Bluetooth Low Energy, or “B.L.E.” It is about the size of a credit card and one-half inch thick. Two corners are angled. While holding the WayLink scanner vertically, position these angled corners to the top-left and bottom-right to have the front of the WayLink scanner face you.

The front side of the WayLink scanner is smooth. There are two LED lights at the top angled corner. The back side has four bumps, one in each corner. On the back of the WayLink scanner, near the center, you will find a panel covering a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. When using the WayLink scanner, hold the center of the WayLink scanner on top of the WayTag. You may use the front or back side when scanning.

A toggle switch and a USB port are on the WayLink scanner’s top edge. The toggle switch has three positions:

1. When the toggle is toward the outside, angled edge, the WayLink scanner is on using Bluetooth.
2. When the toggle is in the center position, the WayLink scanner is off.
3. The toggle is in USB mode when it is furthest away from the angled edge.

A USB cable is included with your WayLink scanner, which you may use for charging. It takes about 50 minutes to charge fully.

On the right side is a push button to wake up the WayLink scanner if it has gone to sleep. The WayLink scanner will remain charged for 5.25 hours or 6,345 NFC scans when active.

The two LED lights on the front provide additional information. The lower-left LED light is a Communications indicator, and the upper-right LED light is a Battery indicator. When the lower-left Communication LED is blue, the WayLink scanner is communicating in Bluetooth mode. When the Communicator LED is red, the WayLink scanner is communicating in USB mode. When the Communication LED is off, the WayLink scanner is off or in sleep mode.

Connect a WayLink

The WayLink uses Bluetooth to communicate with your device. Make sure your phone or tablet has Bluetooth enabled before connecting the WayLink.

Follow the steps below to connect the WayLink to the WayAround app. You don’t need to use your phone’s Bluetooth settings to connect the WayLink. Once Bluetooth is turned on, WayAround will automatically connect the WayLink to your device once settings are complete within the WayAround app.

1. In the WayAround app, go to Settings by clicking on the gear icon (Settings button) at the top right in the header of the WayAround screen.
2. Near the top of the Settings page, under “Your Preferences,” there is a checkbox labeled “Use WayLink.” Check the box. In the top right corner of the header, you will see a grey WayLink icon. If the WayLink is not connected, the WayLink icon will have a slash through it. If the “Use WayLink” option has been automatically checked without the ability to uncheck it, then you must use a WayLink. In most cases, this is because your device does not have a built-in NFC reader.
3. If the WayLink icon in the header has a slash through it, or if you hear “WayLink Disconnected,” move the toggle switch on the WayLink to the “on” position, which is nearest the angled edge.
4. When the app connects to the WayLink, you will hear it say, “WayLink Connected.” The WayLink icon will change to blue and will not have a slash through it. Note: If you do not hear your phone say “WayLink Connected,” check the mute switch on your phone’s left side to ensure it is not in silent mode. The WayLink must also be in Bluetooth range of your device, which is about 50 feet.

When you have turned on the Use WayLink toggle, another box will appear where you can enter the Serial Number of your WayLink. In most cases, this is optional. If you are in a setting where multiple WayAround users will be using WayLinks, enter the serial number so that your WayLink sends info to your device.

You only need to enter the last 6 digits of the WayLink’s serial number. Once you have entered the serial number, the app will remember it, even if you toggle off the Use WayLink option.

How to Read a WayTag

Use these instructions to read the information on a WayTag using the built-in NFC reader on your iPhone 7 or above. Instructions for using a WayLink are in parentheses.

1. Open the WayAround app.
2. Choose the Read button at the bottom of the screen.
3. A “Ready to Scan” screen will pop up from the bottom of the screen, letting you know the phone’s NFC reader is engaged. (Skip this step if you’re using a WayLink.)
4. Hold the top edge of your iPhone (or the center of the WayLink) right over the WayTag. For best results, place the reader directly onto the WayTag. Keep your device steady for a moment while it reads.
5. When the iPhone has read the WayTag, you will hear a faint double-click, and the iPhone will vibrate. A blue checkmark will appear on the popup. The popup will automatically disappear after a couple of seconds. (If you’re using a WayLink, the iPhone will vibrate once the WayTag has been read.)
6. You will see the description and any details on the screen. If you’re using VoiceOver, the iPhone will read the description aloud after the popup disappears. Swipe right to hear the next detail. Swipe left to hear the previous detail. Double-tap to repeat the current detail.

Write a WayTag

Use these instructions to add information to any WayTag: stickers, buttons, magnets, or clips. Start by adding a description, then add other details.

1. Open the WayAround app.
2. Choose the Create button at the bottom of the screen.
3. A new screen will appear with a header labeled “Create A WayTag.” Near the top of the screen is a box to enter a description. Tap inside the box to activate the keyboard. You may type in a description or use the microphone to dictate. Your description may be up to 2,000 characters—several paragraphs of information. Remember, this description will be displayed every time you scan this WayTag. When you have completed the description, select “Done” at the top right of the iPhone keyboard or click outside the keyboard area on an Android device.
4. At this point, you may write the WayTag with just the description or add additional details. To write the WayTag with just the description, skip to Step 7. If you want to add more information, continue to Step 5.
5. Select a Detail Template. You may choose from Clothing Care, Groceries, Files, Cleaning Supplies, Personal Care, Custom, and more. Once you select a Detail Template, related detail fields will appear.
6. Enter as much Detail information as you would like. You may skip any detail field. Only fields where you enter information will be added to your WayTag.
7. When you are ready to add information to a WayTag, choose the Write button at the bottom of the screen. If you are writing a WayTag with your iPhone, a “Ready to Scan” screen will pop up from the bottom. If you’re using a WayLink or an Android device, you will be taken to another screen that says “Ready to Write.”
8. Hold the top center of the back of your iPhone or WayLink on top of the WayTag until you hear a chime and feel the phone vibrate. When the WayTag has been successfully written, the screen will display a message that says, “Success! WayTag Written.” After a few seconds, you will be taken to the WayAround screen that displays all of the information written to that WayTag.

How to Edit a WayTag

You may edit a WayTag to add or change the information on it. There is no limit to the number of times you may edit a WayTag.

1. Read the WayTag you wish to edit. You may also edit a WayTag immediately after writing it.
2. Choose the Edit button at the bottom of the screen.
3. A new screen will appear with a header labeled “Edit A WayTag.” The existing information from the WayTag will appear in the description field. The previously selected Detail Template will appear under the Details section, and any detail fields containing information will be filled in.
4. Tap inside the description box to edit the description text.
5. To change the Detail Template, select a new Detail Template and enter new detail information. The previously stored detail information will be deleted when you write the new WayTag. You may also keep the same Detail Template and edit any detail information.
6. When you are ready to add the edited information to a WayTag, choose the “Write” button at the bottom of the screen. If you are writing a WayTag with your iPhone, a “Ready to Scan” screen will pop up from the bottom. If you are using a WayLink or an Android device, you will be taken to another screen that says “Ready to Write.”
7. Hold the top center of the back of your iPhone or WayLink on top of the WayTag until you hear a chime and feel the phone vibrate. When the WayTag has been successfully written, the screen will display a message that says, “Success! WayTag Written.” After a few seconds, you will be taken to the WayAround screen that displays all of the information written to that WayTag.