About Zebra VAS SDK

VAS SDK 4.1

Overview

Zebra VAS SDK is an Android library built upon standard Android NFC APIs and third party VAS (Value Added Service) protocols. It enables the development of applications capable of reading Apple VAS passes, Google Smart Tap passes, Samsung Wallet passes, and other standard NFC tags.

Key Zebra VAS SDK capabilities include:

  • Establishing connections: Creates a communication link between a certified Zebra mobile computer (with an integrated NFC reader) and the Apple or Google device when reading NFC passes (e.g. from Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet).
  • Extracting data: Securely pulls data from the NFC tag or mobile wallet passes.
  • Delivering data: Routes the extracted data to the Android application running on the Zebra mobile computer.

VAS is a protocol designed to process NFC passes (such as event tickets, boarding passes, or loyalty cards) stored in mobile wallets. Storing an NFC pass in an Apple, Google, or Samsung wallet provides users with secure, convenient, and immediate access to their digital assets. Organizations seeking to issue and process these passes must collaborate either directly with Apple, Google, or Samsung to acquire the necessary permissions, or partner with a provider capable of issuing such passes.

To use an NFC pass, the user aligns the NFC antennas between their Apple or Google device and the integrated NFC reader on a certified Zebra mobile computer. The devices detect the NFC signal, automatically activating the pass stored in the mobile wallet. The pass then is processed and validated on the mobile computer by the Android application developed with the Zebra VAS SDK.

Important Notes

  • Zebra VAS SDK does not provide any of the capabilities or functionalities to create mobile wallet passes. NFC pass creation is outside of the scope of this SDK and this guide.
  • The NFC antennas must align between the Zebra mobile computer and the smartphone or smartwatch:
    • On the iPhone, the NFC antenna is typically located on the back of the device.
    • On the Apple Watch, the NFC antenna is typically located on the top of the device.
    • On Android devices, the NFC antenna is typically located on the back of the device towards the top.
    • On Zebra mobile computers, refer to the device product manual in the Zebra support portal to identify the location of the NFC antenna for the device.

New in VAS SDK 4.1

  • Introduced Samsung Wallet Support: Added a new set of APIs to configure, access, and process passes stored in Samsung Wallet.
  • Added a new Supported Pass Types section detailing the pass formats compatible with major mobile wallet platforms.
  • Updated the SDK checksum for the latest Zebra VAS SDK (.AAR) release.

Version History

New in VAS SDK 3.0

  • Updated checksum for the new version of the Zebra VAS SDK (.AAR).
  • Added support for new devices: TC53e and TC58e. For information on compatible hardware, see Zebra support portal.
  • Enhanced the API for creating a ZebraNfcVas object, enabling developers to explicitly pass the IZebraServiceConnection object and receive callbacks directly, instead of implementing the IZebraServiceConnection in the Activity. This is beneficial for developers using application frameworks like MVC, MVP, or MVVM to manage service callback efficiently.
  • Introduced getPayloadNDEFMessage() method for use within the onPassDetected() callback.
  • Implemented handling for return codes 9001, 9101, and 9102, each representing different forms of a successful operation.

New in VAS SDK 2.0

Requirements

  • Download and install Zebra VAS SDK from Zebra support portal. The download includes the NFC Ticket Demo application and Zebra VAS Service.
  • One of the following mobile devices:
    • Apple device that supports Apple Wallet with Apple VAS capabilities, for example:
      • iPhone
      • Apple Watch
    • Android device that supports Samsung Wallet or Google Wallet with Smart Tap capabilities, for example:
      • Android Phone
      • Android Smart Watch
  • Certified Zebra mobile computer (with integrated NFC reader) for VAS devices. See the Zebra Support Portal for supported devices
  • API Requirement: Android API Level 31 or higher.
  • Optional: NFC tag that supports any of the following tag technologies: NfcA, NfcB, NfcF, NfcV, IsoDep, Ndef

Supported Pass Types

The solution supports a variety of pass formats across major mobile wallet platforms.

Google Passes:

  • Loyalty: Retail loyalty programs, rewards, and stamps
  • Event Ticket: Concert, sports, or movie tickets.
  • Offer: Digital coupons, promo codes, and discounts.
  • Gift Card: Store-specific gift certificates.
  • Customer Record: Storage for specific CRM or account profile identifiers.
  • Private Label Card: Store-branded credit or payment cards (close-loop cards) typically issued by a retailer for exclusive use within their stores for payments, financing, and earning rewards.
  • Flight: Highly structured passes designed specifically for airline travel.
  • Transit: Bus, train, or subway tickets.
  • Generic: Flexible passes utilized for other custom use cases.
  • Generic Private: A highly secure version of the Generic pass.

Samsung Passes:

  • Loyalty
  • Ticket

Apple Passes:

  • Fully supported (standard Apple Wallet pass types)

See Also