MIFARE DESFire EV3 | Secure, Contactless IC | NXP Semiconductors

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MIFARE® DESFire® EV3: High-Security IC for Contactless Smart City Services

MF3DHx3
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The features of the MIFARE DESFire EV3 IC reflect NXP’s continued commitment to secure, connected and convenient contactless Smart City services. As part of the MIFARE DESFire family, the latest family member combines enhanced performance with a greater operating distance and improved transaction speed compared to its predecessors, including:

  • IC hardware and software certification according to Common Criteria EAL 5+
  • Broad choice of open crypto algorithms based on DES, 2K3DES, 3K3DES, or AES
  • SUN message authentication for advanced data protection
  • Transaction Timer to mitigate man-in-the-middle attacks
  • Seamless integration of mobile services in combination with MIFARE 2GO

Block Diagram

MIFARE DESFire EV3 block diagram

MIFARE DESFire EV3 block diagram
Get diagram PDF

Features

RF interface: ISO/IEC 14443 Type A

  • Contactless interface compliant with ISO/IEC 14443-2/3 A
  • Low Hmin enabling operating distance up to 100 mm (depending on power provided by the PCD and antenna geometry)
  • Fast data transfer: 106 kbit/s, 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s, 848 kbit/s
  • 7 bytes unique identifier (option for Random ID)
  • Uses ISO/IEC 14443-4 transmission protocol
  • Configurable FSCI to support up to 256 bytes frame size

Non-volatile memory

  • 2kB, 4kB, 8kB and 16 kb
  • Data retention of 25 years
  • Write endurance typical 1 000 000 cycles
  • Fast programming cycles

NV-memory organization and multi-application support

  • Flexible file system: user can freely define application structures on PICC
  • As many applications as memory size supports
  • Up to 32 files in each application (6 file types available: Standard Data file, Back-up Data file, Value file, Linear Record file, Cyclic Record file and Transaction MAC file)
  • File size is determined during creation (not for Transaction MAC file)
  • MlsmartApp (Delegated Application Management)
  • Memory reuse in DAM applications (Format Application)
  • Factory loaded NXP's DAM keys for AppXplorer service support
  • Accessing files from any two applications during a single transaction

Security and Privacy

  • Common Criteria certification: EAL5+ (Hardware and Software)
  • Unique 7 bytes serial number for each device
  • Optional "RANDOM" ID for enhanced security and privacy
  • Mutual three-pass authentication
  • Mutual authentication according to ISO/IEC 7816-4
  • Flexible key management: 1 card leader key and up to 14 keys per application
  • Multiple key assignment for each file access rights (up to 8)
  • Multiple Key Sets per application with fast key rolling mechanism (up to 16 sets)
  • Hardware DES using 56/112/168 bit keys featuring key version
  • Hardware AES using 128-bit keys featuring key version
  • Data authenticity by 8 byte CMAC
  • MF3ICD40 compatible mode: 4 byte MAC, CRC 16
  • Data encryption on RF-channel
  • Authentication on application level
  • Hardware exception sensors
  • Self-securing file system
  • Transaction MAC signed with secret key per application
  • Virtual Card Architecture for enhanced card/application selection on multi-VC devices with privacy protection
  • Proximity Check for protection against Relay Attacks
  • Originality Check for proof of genuine NXP's product

ISO/IEC 7816 compatibility

  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 file structure (selection by File ID or DF name)
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 APDU message structure
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 APDU wrapper for MIFARE DESFire native commands
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code 'A4' for SELECT FILE
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code 'BO' for READ BINARY
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code 'D6' for UPDATE BINARY
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code '62' for READ RECORDS
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code 'E2' for APPEND RECORD
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code '88' for INTERNAL AUTHENTICATE
  • Supports ISO/IEC 7816-4 INS code '82' for EXTERNAL AUTHENTICATE

Special features

  • Transaction-oriented automatic anti-tear mechanism with new transaction timer support
  • Configurable ATS information for card personalization
  • Backward compatibility mode to MIFARE DESFire EV2, EV1 and D40 (MF3ICD40)
  • Secure Unique NFC (SUN) enabled by Secure Dynamic Messaging (SDM) which is mirrored as text into the NDEF message (compatible with NTAG DNA)
  • Optional high input capacitance (70 pF) for small form factor designs (MF3DHx3)

More

Comparison Table

MIFARE DESFire EV3 MIFARE DESFire EV2 MIFARE DESFire EV1
ISO/IEC 14443 A 1-4 Yes Yes Yes
ISO/IEC 7816-4 support Extended Extended Extended
EEPROM data memory 2/4/8/16KB 2/4/8/16/32KB 2/4/8KB
Flexible file structure Yes Yes Yes
NFC Forum Tag Type 4 Yes Yes Yes
Unique ID 7B UID or 4B RID 7B UID or 4B RID 7B UID or 4B RID
Number of applications As many as memory size supports As many as memory size supports 28
Number of files per app 32 32 32
Data rates supported Up to 848 Kbit/s Up to 848 Kbit/s Up to 848 Kbit/s
Crypto algorithms supported DES/2K3DES/
3K3DES/
AES128		 DES/2K3DES/
3K3DES/
AES128		 DES/2K3DES/
3K3DES/
AES128
CC certification (HW+SW) EAL 5+ EAL 5+ EAL 4+
Delegated Application Management (Multi-Application) Yes, preloaded keys Yes -
SUN (Secure Unique NFC Message) Yes, compatible with NTAG DNA - -
Transaction MAC per app Yes Yes -
Multiple keysets per app Up to 16 keysets Up to 16 keysets -
Multiple file access rights Up to 8 keys Up to 8 keys -
Inter-app file sharing Yes Yes
Transaction Timer Yes - -
Virtual Card Architecture Yes Yes -
Proximity Check Yes Yes -
Delivery types Wafer, MOA4 and MOA8 Wafer, MOA4 and MOB6 Wafer, MOA4 and MOA8

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N true 0 PSPMF3DHx3en 10 Application Note Application Note t789 6 Data Sheet Data Sheet t520 1 Fact Sheet Fact Sheet t523 1 Supporting Information Supporting Information t531 2 en_US en_US en Data Sheet Data Sheet 1 1 3.1 English MF3D(H)x3 is the latest addition to the MIFARE DESFire product family introducing new feature along with enhanced performance for best user experience. The MF3D(H)x3 is Common Criteria EAL5+ security certified which is the same security certification level as demanded for smart card IC products used e.g. for banking cards or electronic passports. 1705327100288713520846 PSP 435.2 KB None None documents None 1705327100288713520846 /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf 435243 /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf MF3D_H_X3_SDS documents N N 2024-01-15 MIFARE DESFire EV3 contactless multi-application IC /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf Data Sheet N 980000996212993340 2024-01-15 pdf N en Jan 11, 2024 980000996212993340 Data Sheet Y N MIFARE DESFire EV3 contactless multi-application IC Application Note Application Note 6 2 1.4 English In this document several MIFARE DESFire products, MIFARE DESFire EV1, EV2, EV3 are compared and their compatibility is analyzed. Their differences on command and feature level are shown. 1591183455536693632150 PSP 207.0 KB None None documents None 1591183455536693632150 /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf 207006 /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf AN12752 documents N N 2020-06-03 MIFARE DESFire EV3 feature and functionality comparison to other MIFARE DESFire products /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2023-07-26 pdf N en Jul 24, 2023 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N MIFARE DESFire EV3 feature and functionality comparison to other MIFARE DESFire products 3 4.2 English This application note shows the elementary communication for selecting a contactless smart card according to the ISO/IEC 14443 and how to use this communication to guarantee proper functionality in different applications. 1487306513597715214631 PSP 192.7 KB None None documents None 1487306513597715214631 /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf 192664 /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf AN10834 documents N N 2017-02-16 MIFARE ISO/IEC 14443 PICC selection /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 pdf N en Aug 10, 2021 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N MIFARE ISO/IEC 14443 PICC selection PDF 4 1.1 English This document gives recommendations on reader and terminal implementations regarding the conformity towards ISO/IEC standards. It focusses on the acceptance of contactless cards and NFC mobile devices hosting multiple applications 1507653538022694979082 PSP 171.5 KB None None documents None 1507653538022694979082 /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf 171450 /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf AN12057 documents N N 2017-10-10 Making reader infrastructure ready for multi-application cards and devices /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 pdf N en Jun 15, 2021 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N Making reader infrastructure ready for multi-application cards and devices 5 1.2 English This document provides guidance for engineers designing magnetic loop antenna coils for MIFARE DESFire EV3. 1608277211283712223830 PSP 429.2 KB None None documents None 1608277211283712223830 /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf 429205 /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf AN12755 documents N N 2020-12-18 MIFARE DESFire EV3 card coil design guide /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 pdf N en Dec 17, 2020 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N MIFARE DESFire EV3 card coil design guide 6 1.2 English This document gives a quick introduction to MIFARE DESFire EV3 and lists all supporting documents, software tools and further material that is available and offered from NXP for an easy product design-in. It summarizes all information required for somebody who wants to start solution development including MIFARE DESFire EV3. 1591181037033713281069 PSP 203.0 KB None None documents None 1591181037033713281069 /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf 203000 /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf AN12753 documents N N 2020-06-03 MIFARE DESFire EV3 Quick start guide /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 pdf N en Sep 30, 2020 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N MIFARE DESFire EV3 Quick start guide 7 1.2 English This application note describes, how OTA top-up can be realized incombination with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus ICs. 1517906367172733342256 PSP 1.8 MB None None documents None 1517906367172733342256 /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf 1760563 /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf AN12113 documents N N 2018-02-06 Over-the-Air top-up with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf Application Note N 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 pdf N en Jul 2, 2020 645036621402383989 Application Note Y N Over-the-Air top-up with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus Fact Sheet Fact Sheet 1 8 0 Chinese The foundation for a new era of secure, connected Smart City services 1589476288925709102292zh PSP 589.1 KB None None documents None 1589476288925709102292 /docs/zh/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf 589106 /docs/zh/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf MFDFLFEV3 documents N N 2020-05-14 NXP<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 /docs/zh/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf /docs/zh/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf Fact Sheet N 736675474163315314 2022-12-07 zh May 19, 2020 736675474163315314 Fact Sheet N 恩智浦<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 0 English The foundation for a new era of secure, connected Smart City services 1589476288925709102292 PSP 589.1 KB None None documents None 1589476288925709102292 /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf 589106 /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf MFDFLFEV3 documents N N 2020-05-14 NXP<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf Fact Sheet N 736675474163315314 2022-12-07 pdf N en May 18, 2020 736675474163315314 Fact Sheet Y N NXP<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 Supporting Information Supporting Information 2 9 5.2 English 1715277318022727895773 PSP 532.5 KB None None documents None 1715277318022727895773 /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf 532503 /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf MFTMKBRNDG documents N N 2024-05-09 MIFARE Trademark Usage Guidelines /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf Supporting Information N 371282830530968666 2025-03-19 pdf N en Mar 10, 2025 updated 371282830530968666 Supporting Information Y N MIFARE Trademark Usage Guidelines 10 1.0 English This document is a guideline to check the currently available infrastructure and application of a specific PTO or different service provider. The questionnaire contains all relevant information for an overall system assessment. 1671446603442734473846 PSP 424.5 KB None None documents None 1671446603442734473846 /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf 424479 /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf OT5334 documents N N 2022-12-19 MIFARE Application and Infrastructure Evaluation Checklist /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf Supporting Information N 371282830530968666 2023-07-24 pdf N en Jun 13, 2019 371282830530968666 Supporting Information Y N MIFARE Application and Infrastructure Evaluation Checklist false 0 MF3DHx3 downloads en true 1 Y PSP Y Y Application Note 6 /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf 2020-06-03 1591183455536693632150 PSP 2 Jul 24, 2023 Application Note In this document several MIFARE DESFire products, MIFARE DESFire EV1, EV2, EV3 are compared and their compatibility is analyzed. Their differences on command and feature level are shown. None /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf English documents 207006 None 645036621402383989 2023-07-26 N /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf MIFARE DESFire EV3 feature and functionality comparison to other MIFARE DESFire products /docs/en/application-note/AN12752.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 1.4 N N MIFARE DESFire EV3 feature and functionality comparison to other MIFARE DESFire products 207.0 KB AN12752 N 1591183455536693632150 /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf 2017-02-16 1487306513597715214631 PSP 3 Aug 10, 2021 Application Note This application note shows the elementary communication for selecting a contactless smart card according to the ISO/IEC 14443 and how to use this communication to guarantee proper functionality in different applications. PDF None /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf English documents 192664 None 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf MIFARE ISO/IEC 14443 PICC selection /docs/en/application-note/AN10834.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 4.2 N N MIFARE ISO/IEC 14443 PICC selection 192.7 KB AN10834 N 1487306513597715214631 /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf 2017-10-10 1507653538022694979082 PSP 4 Jun 15, 2021 Application Note This document gives recommendations on reader and terminal implementations regarding the conformity towards ISO/IEC standards. It focusses on the acceptance of contactless cards and NFC mobile devices hosting multiple applications None /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf English documents 171450 None 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf Making reader infrastructure ready for multi-application cards and devices /docs/en/application-note/AN12057.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 1.1 N N Making reader infrastructure ready for multi-application cards and devices 171.5 KB AN12057 N 1507653538022694979082 /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf 2020-12-18 1608277211283712223830 PSP 5 Dec 17, 2020 Application Note This document provides guidance for engineers designing magnetic loop antenna coils for MIFARE DESFire EV3. None /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf English documents 429205 None 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf MIFARE DESFire EV3 card coil design guide /docs/en/application-note/AN12755.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 1.2 N N MIFARE DESFire EV3 card coil design guide 429.2 KB AN12755 N 1608277211283712223830 /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf 2020-06-03 1591181037033713281069 PSP 6 Sep 30, 2020 Application Note This document gives a quick introduction to MIFARE DESFire EV3 and lists all supporting documents, software tools and further material that is available and offered from NXP for an easy product design-in. It summarizes all information required for somebody who wants to start solution development including MIFARE DESFire EV3. None /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf English documents 203000 None 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf MIFARE DESFire EV3 Quick start guide /docs/en/application-note/AN12753.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 1.2 N N MIFARE DESFire EV3 Quick start guide 203.0 KB AN12753 N 1591181037033713281069 /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf 2018-02-06 1517906367172733342256 PSP 7 Jul 2, 2020 Application Note This application note describes, how OTA top-up can be realized incombination with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus ICs. None /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf English documents 1760563 None 645036621402383989 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf Over-the-Air top-up with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus /docs/en/application-note/AN12113.pdf documents 645036621402383989 Application Note N en None Y pdf 1.2 N N Over-the-Air top-up with MIFARE DESFire and MIFARE Plus 1.8 MB AN12113 N 1517906367172733342256 Data Sheet 1 /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf 2024-01-15 1705327100288713520846 PSP 1 Jan 11, 2024 Data Sheet MF3D(H)x3 is the latest addition to the MIFARE DESFire product family introducing new feature along with enhanced performance for best user experience. The MF3D(H)x3 is Common Criteria EAL5+ security certified which is the same security certification level as demanded for smart card IC products used e.g. for banking cards or electronic passports. None /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf English documents 435243 None 980000996212993340 2024-01-15 N /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf MIFARE DESFire EV3 contactless multi-application IC /docs/en/data-sheet/MF3D_H_X3_SDS.pdf documents 980000996212993340 Data Sheet N en None Y pdf 3.1 N N MIFARE DESFire EV3 contactless multi-application IC 435.2 KB MF3D_H_X3_SDS N 1705327100288713520846 Fact Sheet 1 /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf 2020-05-14 1589476288925709102292 PSP 8 May 18, 2020 Fact Sheet The foundation for a new era of secure, connected Smart City services None /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf English documents 589106 None 736675474163315314 2022-12-07 N /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf NXP<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 /docs/en/fact-sheet/MFDFLFEV3.pdf documents 736675474163315314 Fact Sheet N en None Y pdf 0 N N NXP<sup>&reg;</sup> MIFARE<sup>&reg;</sup> DESFire<sup>&reg;</sup> EV3 589.1 KB MFDFLFEV3 N 1589476288925709102292 Supporting Information 2 /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf 2024-05-09 1715277318022727895773 PSP 9 Mar 10, 2025 Supporting Information None /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf English documents 532503 None 371282830530968666 2025-03-19 N /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf MIFARE Trademark Usage Guidelines /docs/en/supporting-information/MIFARE-Trademark-and-Branding-Guidelines.pdf documents 371282830530968666 Supporting Information N updated en None Y pdf 5.2 N N MIFARE Trademark Usage Guidelines 532.5 KB MFTMKBRNDG N 1715277318022727895773 /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf 2022-12-19 1671446603442734473846 PSP 10 Jun 13, 2019 Supporting Information This document is a guideline to check the currently available infrastructure and application of a specific PTO or different service provider. The questionnaire contains all relevant information for an overall system assessment. None /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf English documents 424479 None 371282830530968666 2023-07-24 N /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf MIFARE Application and Infrastructure Evaluation Checklist /docs/en/supporting-information/OT5334.pdf documents 371282830530968666 Supporting Information N en None Y pdf 1.0 N N MIFARE Application and Infrastructure Evaluation Checklist 424.5 KB OT5334 N 1671446603442734473846 true Y Products

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