PaddleDNA Support

Help and answers for players, referees, and tournament testers using PaddleDNA.

Learn how to scan pickleball paddles with NFC, understand test results, and manage your equipment efficiently.

Getting Started

Everything you need to know to start scanning paddles.

What is PaddleDNA?

PaddleDNA is a digital verification system that links certified paddle test results to secure NFC tags on the paddle's handle.

How to scan a paddle

Open the app, tap 'Scan Paddle', and hold the top back of your phone near the NFC tag located on the paddle's handle.

Requirements

You need an NFC-enabled smartphone (most modern iOS and Android devices) and the PaddleDNA app installed.

What can I do for free?

You can scan a paddle and view its test result for free. No account required.

What does Premium unlock?

Premium allows you to:

  • Add paddles to your bag
  • Access additional tools such as QR recovery and model checks
  • Use future features as they are released

Frequently Asked Questions

Scanning & Results

Open the PaddleDNA app, tap the 'Scan Paddle' button, and hold the top back of your smartphone (where the NFC reader is typically located) against the NFC tag on the paddle's handle. The phone will vibrate or beep when a successful scan occurs.
Ensure your phone has NFC enabled in settings. Thick phone cases can sometimes block the signal. Try moving the phone slowly around the tag area, as the NFC reader location varies by phone model.
Results show Deflection (how much the paddle flexes) and Coefficient of Friction (surface roughness). The app visually indicates if these metrics fall within official legal limits. A 'PASS' means the paddle is approved for tournament play.
If a paddle isn't recognized, it either does not have a valid PaddleDNA NFC tag, the tag has been damaged, or the paddle has not yet been tested and registered in our system by an authorized testing facility.

Subscription

Premium is available as a subscription for $1.99 per month.
You can subscribe by tapping "Upgrade to Premium" in the app or when accessing a locked feature. Payments are handled securely through the App Store or Google Play.
Your subscription starts immediately after purchase and unlocks Premium features straight away.
If your subscription ends or is cancelled, your access will return to the free version. You can still scan paddles and view results.

Offer Codes (Referees & Testers)

Codes are redeemed through your device's app store:

  • iOS: App Store
  • Android: Google Play

Once redeemed:

  1. Open PaddleDNA
  2. Tap "Restore access" on the paywall
  3. Your Premium access will then be unlocked
Codes are not entered in the app. They must be redeemed in your app store first.

Restore Access

If you've previously subscribed or redeemed a code:

  1. Open the app
  2. Go to the Premium screen
  3. Tap "Restore access"

This will sync your access with your app store account.

  • Make sure you are logged into the correct App Store / Google Play account
  • Confirm your subscription or code is active
  • Then try "Restore access" again

If the issue continues, please contact support.

Features & Usage

Yes! After scanning, you can save the paddle to "My Bag". This allows you to track its metrics over time, monitor degradation, and keep a verified record of your equipment. This is a Premium feature.
Certain tools and features are part of Premium. You can still scan paddles and view results for free.
Yes — additional tools and features will be included in Premium over time.

General

No — PaddleDNA does not require user accounts.
PaddleDNA does not collect personal data or share user information. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Still need help?

If you're still having issues, please contact our support team.

support@paddledna.com