A method for controlling a contactless interface on a dual interface portable device are provided. The method allows for contactless enablement and disablement on both a temporary and semi-permanent basis, dependent on commands sent to the device by the issuer of the portable device. The commands are received through a terminal device and are transferred to the portable device during a contact transaction. Configuration data on the portable device is modified according to the received commands. An application on the portable device controls the transmission of data through the contactless interface dependent on the configuration data.
