Near-field communication (NFC) is effected in a manner that ensures that messages are read. In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a NFC antenna, a NFC tag and a host connected to the NFC tag via both a data communication circuit and a field detection circuit. The NFC tag stores and transmits an NFC data exchange format (NDEF) message via the NFC antenna. The NFC tag includes first and second registers respectively having data indicative of a read status of the NDEF message and data indicative of a last portion/byte of the NDEF message data. When the NDEF message is accessed (e.g., transmitted), the NFC tag sets the data in the first register to indicate that the NDEF message has been read (e.g., sets a bit value). The trigger circuit generates a trigger signal in response to the status, indicating that the NDEF message has been read.