Attaching a tag links a physical identifier to a device, or Spot. After that, reading the tag normally opens the details of the linked Spot. Reading a tag simply to open its details is a different action from attaching it as described in this guide.
Before attaching a tag
Sign in to Spotilla and make sure the app is connected to the server. Both fetching available tags and saving the link require a server connection. The tag must have been added to Spotilla's tag registry beforehand; attaching it in the mobile app does not create a new tag. Registry maintenance is described in Managing the tag registry.
Surface number is the visible number marked on the physical tag, which you use to select the tag from the list. Internal ID is the identifier used when scanning. Scanning only works if the identifier read matches the registered tag's Internal ID. The Surface number is not used to look up the tag when attaching it by scanning.
Saving a selection from the list requires permission to edit the Spot in question. Attaching a tag by scanning separately checks that the user can access both the tag and the Spot; it does not perform the same Spot edit permission check as saving a selection from the list. Attaching a tag does not grant any new permissions to view the Spot's details.
Open the attachment view for the correct Spot
- In the Home view, select Browse folders and spots. Open the necessary folders and select the Spot.
- Check the Spot's name and device details, and make sure you are handling the physical tag that will be attached to this device.
- Tap the tag number shown in the Spot's details. If there is no number, tap TAG. This opens the tag attachment view on both Android and iOS.
In the attachment view, you can select a tag from the list or use its READ NFC and READ QR functions. The reading functions in the Home view are intended to open details based on an existing link.
Select a tag from the list or replace the current tag
The list offers registered, available tags sorted by Surface number. A tag already linked to a Spot, folder or warehouse slot is not available. The Spot's current tag is shown separately and is not offered in the list of available tags as the current selection is in the browser form.
- Open the Select Tag selector in the attachment view and select the tag that matches the physical tag's Surface number.
- Check the selected number carefully. Both Android and iOS may preselect the first available tag when the list loads. Make your own selection before saving, even if the Spot already has a tag.
- Select the save action on the right side of the top bar: Save on Android, or the system save button on iOS.
- Accept the Are you sure you want to save? confirmation by selecting OK. Wait for saving to finish.
By selecting from the list, you can attach a tag to a Spot that has no tag or replace the Spot's current tag with another available tag. A successful replacement frees up the old tag. Reading it later will no longer open this Spot; reading the new tag will open it.
The mobile list selector has no empty option for detaching a tag. If you only want to detach a tag or find out what it is currently linked to, make the change in the browser. See attaching a tag to a Spot in the browser and managing links in the tag registry.
Attach a tag by scanning
A successful scan attaches the tag immediately, without a separate save button or the confirmation used when saving a selection from the list. This requires both an available tag and a Spot that does not yet have a tag. Scanning cannot replace the Spot's current tag or use a tag that is already in use elsewhere.
QR: Select READ QR in the attachment view, allow camera access and point the camera at the QR code on the correct physical tag. When the code is recognised, the app sends an attachment request to the server. Wait for the result.
NFC on Android: The phone must support NFC, and NFC must be enabled in the phone's settings. Reading is active while the attachment view is displayed. Bring the phone's NFC reading area close to the correct tag and hold it still for a moment. READ NFC displays reading instructions; it does not start a separate reading session. Detecting the tag sends an attachment request. If you scan again immediately after the previous attempt, wait more than five seconds.
NFC on iOS: Select READ NFC in the attachment view to start a reading session on a compatible iPhone. Bring the phone close to the tag as instructed by the reading prompt. NFC reading in this attachment view handles MIFARE tags, and reading the tag's NDEF data must also succeed before the attachment request is sent. Simply detecting an NFC tag is therefore not enough. If the tag is not suitable for this reading method, use its QR code or select it from the list by Surface number.
Check the result and troubleshoot a failed attempt
After returning from the attachment view, reopen the Spot's details and check the saved tag number. Do this after attaching by scanning as well. Leaving the view alone does not confirm success: iOS may return to the Spot's details even if the attachment request failed.
Finally, read the physical tag using the normal tag reading function in the Home view and make sure it opens the correct Spot. The steps for reading a tag are in Opening a Spot with an NFC or QR tag.
Attaching a tag changes the link stored in Spotilla. It does not write new content to the physical NFC tag or change the printed QR code. The Spot's previous read events remain with that Spot.
The tag is missing from the list: check the Surface number and ask an administrator to check that the tag is registered and available. Attachment by scanning is rejected: check the server connection, whether the internal identifier matches, the tag's current link, whether the Spot already has a tag, and access permissions. If saving a selection from the list is rejected, check the Spot's edit permission in particular.
If normal tag reading opens the wrong Spot or folder, check both the physical tag and the link stored in the registry before recording any information. If the result is unclear, check the Spot's details again before trying to attach the tag again.