A method and apparatus for performing a low-power presence check are provided. In the method and apparatus, a controller detects a presence of a tag by at least causing the antenna to generate a magnetic field over a first time period for detecting the tag, measuring an antenna voltage over a second time period, causing the antenna to cease generating a magnetic field over a third time period longer than the first time period and comparing the antenna voltage to an antenna reference voltage to determine whether the tag is present. The controller detects the presence of the tag in response to receiving a command from a host device for performing the low-power presence check. The command may be a one-time command for every presence check stage or a command that is repeatedly received each time the controller detects the presence of the tag.