Standard or On-metal NFC sticker: which fits your bottle?
When HydraTag Pro opens, each purchase includes one free NFC sticker and you choose its version. Start with the surface it will touch: Standard is intended for non-metal plastic and glass; On-metal has a ferrite backing for steel and other metal bottles.
Match the sticker to the bottle surface
| Your bottle surface | Sticker version | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Non-metal plastic or glass | Standard | Find a clean, dry, fairly flat area and test a read with the app before pressing the sticker down. |
| Steel or another metal | On-metal | Use the ferrite-backed version; a Standard sticker directly on steel is not the intended setup. |
| Unknown material or a painted finish | Check before choosing | Paint or powder coating can hide metal. Identify the underlying bottle material, for example with a magnet or the maker's specification. |
What "On-metal" means
It describes the backing, not a metallic decoration. Metal close to an NFC antenna detunes it, so a plain sticker on a steel bottle may not read. A ferrite layer between the sticker and the metal helps the antenna work on that surface. Reading still depends on the phone, the sticker and where you place it.
One sticker included with Pro
HydraTag Pro is coming for US$9.99 one time with one free NFC sticker included. You pay shipping; the delivery charge and applicable tax will be shown before payment. Canada and USA first. Pro purchases and sticker claims are not open yet. In the forthcoming release, NFC tap logging and sticker setup, reading and writing will require an active HydraTag Pro upgrade; manual logging, quick add, reminders, history and unit choice stay free. You choose Standard or On-metal when you claim delivery inside the app after purchase. There is no separate sticker purchase; the sticker comes with the app upgrade, and it is a purchase benefit rather than what unlocks Pro. See what stays free and what Pro adds.
Before you stick it on
- Set the sticker up in the app first (how sticker logging works) and test a read while holding it against the intended spot.
- Follow the placement instructions that will ship with the sticker; they follow sample testing. Do not assume a glossy or curved area will hold.
- A thin non-metallic decorative sticker may be tried over the tag, followed by another read check. Avoid foil or metallic covers.
- Do not lock or rewrite the sticker with unrelated NFC software; the app's own setup writes what it needs.
Pro purchases and sticker claims are not open yet. Bottle compatibility and adhesion testing is still being completed, and neither version is confirmed dishwasher-safe; see compatibility and care.
HydraTag guide ยท Updated October 2, 2026