How to use NFC on Xiaomi: How to set up NFC Xiaomi

What is NFC and use cases

NFC or Near Field Communication is one of the types of wireless communication technology, operates at high frequencies, has a short range of approximately 10-12 cm, and has recently gained wide popularity.

The operating frequency of the Near Field Communication function is 13.56 MHz; using it, it is possible to transfer data between different devices, for example, a mobile gadget and a payment terminal.

Main applications:

payments, payment for various goods and services in a contactless way;
in public transport – fare payment;
activation of other wireless connection methods;
pairing devices via Bluetooth from version 2.1;
reading NFC tags and much more.

There are many ways to use such a chip in a phone, but in most cases, users choose Xiaomi smartphones with NFC, using them as a contactless payment method. For this purpose, work with Android Pay is first configured and you will be able to pay for various services and purchases in stores without carrying cash or bank cards, but only your phone.

How Android Pay differs from Google Pay

Android Pay is an Android-based payment system with which you can pay for goods with a bank card (debit or credit) without using the card itself, that is, through a smartphone. The payment goes through the NFC module for contactless connection with the terminal.

Android Pay was a standalone app until 2022, when it merged with Google Wallet, a service designed to send funds from one user to another via smartphone or PC. The general application was called Google Pay.

Checking the NFC icon in the notification panel

To quickly enable NFC, its icon is placed on the notification panel. To activate:

Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to expand the curtain.
Swipe left to switch the icon page and select NFC.
By pressing and holding the icon for a second, you will be taken to the location of this function in the Redmi Note 8T options.

Xiaomi phones with NFC

Is there NFC in budget Xiaomi smartphones? List of Xiaomi smartphones with NFC:

Mi 9/ Pro/ 9 Lite/ TE
Mi 8/ Mi 8 Pro/8 Explorer
Mi 9T/ Mi 9 Pro
Mi 10/ Mi 10 Pro
Mi Note 10
Mi CC9/Pro/Meitu
Redmi K30/Pro
Mi Mix 2S
Mi 9 SE/ 9 Lite
Mi Mix 3
Mi 6
Mi Mix 2
Mi Note 3
Mi Note 2
Mi 5S Plus
Mi8 Explorer
Mi Mix
Mi 5/ 5S/ 5 Plus/ 5S Plus
Mi 3
Redmi Note 8Pro
Redmi Note 8T

Which Xiaomi to choose

Which Xiaomi model with NFC module is better? It's worth taking a look at the other parameters of these phones.

Xiaomi MI 8 is the flagship model of the Xiaomi brand since last year. MI 8 is equipped with a modern Snapdragon 845 processor, which will ensure smooth operation even when using multiple applications at the same time. In addition, 6GB of RAM means that the Xiaomi MI 8 does not freeze or slow down. The 3400 mAh battery lasts for a whole day of use, and thanks to the fast charging function, it charges quickly. Xiaomi Mi 8 has as many as 3 lenses.

More details about Xiaomi MI 8

Xiaomi Mi Max 3 is a model that is distinguished primarily by a 5500 mAh battery. This allows you to use your Mi Max 3 phone for a long time without charging, even under intense use. The phone is equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 868 processor. Xiaomi Mi Max 3 runs quickly without any glitches. The phone's rear camera features dual lenses, further supported by the AI smart photo feature.

More details about Xiaomi Mi Max 3

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s is a phone with a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor that works in multitasking mode and quickly switches between applications. Large built-in memory of 64 GB provides space for all your important information. Dual rear camera with SI and Dual Pixel function creates high-quality photos. The ceramic body of the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s complements the modern, minimalist design.

Which Xiaomi models support the service?

Before discussing application issues, you need to find out which devices the contactless payment application is compatible with. The gadget must meet the basic requirements for using the program. These include the following parameters:

Official operating system firmware.
Locked bootloader.
Disabled root rights.

For contactless payment offline in stores through point-of-sale terminals, the device must have an NFC chip. Its availability can be found in the technical specifications. If there is no NFC sensor, the Android Pay program can only be used to pay for purchases in online stores and applications.

List of popular Xiaomi models that support Androi Pay in full mode (NFC chip built-in):

mi2A;
mi3;
mi5;
mi5s and mi5s plus;
mi6;
mi note2;
mi mix.

On which Xiaomi will Android Pay not work fully (no short-range communication sensor)? This list includes models from the Redmi and Mi Max line.

Since metal makes it difficult to transmit radio waves from the NFC system, the body of most models equipped with a sensor is made of plastic, glass or ceramic. Thanks to the gadget's technology, Android Pay works great on Xaiomi mi5 and mi5s, despite the presence of metal in the case.

What devices does Xiaomi Pay work on?

Unfortunately, this contactless payment technology does not work on all models of the Chinese manufacturer. First of all, you must comply with the following conditions and focus on them when selecting a mobile device:

An important aspect is the presence of a special NFC module in the design of the smartphone. It is a chip in which the owner’s payment information is stored in its independent memory. With its help, the phone generates a signal and transmits it to the receiving terminal. If your device does not have such a module, you will not be able to make a purchase in the MI Pay system.
Currently, this technology is supported by such models as: MI 2A,3, 5, 5S, 5S Plus, 6, Note #2, Mix, Mix #2. The list shows that the payment system only works on smartphones from the MI line. This means that the popular economical series of equipment marked Redmi Plus is not equipped with an NFC microchip.
Another requirement is the installation of up-to-date and licensed software from the manufacturer on the equipment.

Phone version

This means global or Chinese, and how to distinguish one RN8Pro from another, read our previous article. This point is very important, since in the version for China, the operation of the NFC module is blocked at the software level, even though it physically exists. Therefore, only changing the firmware can help here, but this is a topic for a separate article.

Settings and permissions

We figured out the software and if your Redmi Note 8 Pro is a global version, but the module does not work, then the problem may lie in its incorrect settings. It is assumed that GPay or other software for contactless payment is already configured and the card is linked.

Go to the phone settings.
We look for the item “Connection and sharing”, where we enable
Next, click on “Security Element Location”.
Select “NSE Wallet”.
Reboot the device.
All. We use NFC.

NFC tags

We are talking about small stickers, the basis of which is a round antenna on a self-adhesive sticker. They are slightly thicker than a sheet of paper, are flexible and small in size (about 25 mm in diameter). The built-in microchip does not require energy, so the tag can be stuck in any convenient place.

To program it, a special program is installed on the mobile device. It is possible to program a sticker to launch night mode, a timer, a music player, Wi-Fi, etc. So, if you stick it on a music speaker, then when you bring your smartphone to it and read the tag, the player will automatically turn on.

What is Android Pay: advantages and disadvantages

Android Pay provides a unique contactless payment system, with which the user can pay for both online and physical purchases in a few clicks. At the same time, not only a smartphone is suitable for payment, but also a smart watch, which is very convenient.

First, you need to download the official application of the same name from Google Play and simply add your maps there. You can be sure that the security in this program is at its best and not be afraid for your funds. The same cannot be said, unfortunately, about third-party applications from unknown developers who easily steal all personal information.

The main advantages of contactless payment:

There is no need to carry your cards everywhere.
All information in one place.
Maximum level of encryption of personal data when making a payment.
The popularity of Google Pay is forcing more and more merchants to use this system.

There are also disadvantages. Do not forget that if you lose your smartphone, you face the risk of your funds being stolen. It's easy for attackers to get into Google Pay if they have your phone. The user may also encounter the following disadvantages:

It is necessary to have official global firmware. The system will not work on custom versions.
There must be no root rights. Alas, you will have to make a choice: either expanded functionality thanks to the “Superuser” mode, or contactless payment.
Inactive bootloader. You can find out how to turn it on and off in our articles.

Setting up contactless payment

To fully use the technology, you need to download and install the GooglePay application. It is with the help of this program that you can make contactless payments. The software is freely available on Google Play.

1.Download the application and install as usual.

2.Open the program, grant all requested permissions and log in to your Google account.

3.Click “Add Card” and select the card type.

4.Take a photo of the card or enter the data yourself: number, expiration date and CVV2. Also provide information about the owner: full name, residential address, telephone number.

5.To confirm, enter the code sent by the bank via SMS, or answer the employee’s call.

Done, setup complete. Now you can start paying for the product or service.

Setting up NFC on Xiaomi to work with Google Pay

The Google Pay service, which provides payment options, is pre-installed on all Xiaomi phones; you do not need to search for it and download it separately. If you don’t have it, installation is possible from the Play Market.

First of all, you need to make sure the NFC settings; to do this, go to the general settings of your phone and select “Connection and sharing”.

There you will find the “NFC” section, where you need to do the following:

Activate technology;
Security element location – set to “Using HCE wallet”;
Contactless payment - Select the Google Pay app and allow it to be your default.

Does your phone have an NFC module?

Not all Xiaomi phones are equipped with a contactless payment module. For example, some budget models do not have this NFC feature. Most often, the module is installed in mid-level and premium smartphones: a complete list of Xiaomi phones with an NFC module for today.

Our list contains all Xiaomi smartphones released over time. Among them are phones that are no longer sold in stores, but can be purchased on the secondary market. For example, Xiaomi Mi 5 supports NFC, but it is no longer available and is not easy to find on sale.

Xiaomi A-series smartphones running Android One (A1, A2, A2 Lite, A3) do not support NFC.

By the way, there is an easy way to find out if your phone supports NFC - install the NFC Checker program (link to Google Play).

In addition to checking support for the NFC function in a Xiaomi phone, the application can see the status of the module (on/off), support for HCE technology (needed to make contactless payments) and Android Beam status.

How to launch Android Pay on Xiaomi

When making a payment, you need to activate the service. For this:

wake up Xiaomi from sleep mode;
remove the lock;
bring it to the terminal;
If you need to select a source for debiting funds, open the application and select the desired card.

Adding a bank card to Google Pay for contactless payment using NFC on Xiaomi

This is all that can be configured in Xiaomi, now let’s go to the Google Pay application and link a bank card.

Before linking your card, make sure that your bank has integration with the Google service, otherwise payment will not work. This can be done in the application itself; to do this, after logging into it, click on the “Sandwich” icon in the upper left corner. In the menu that appears, select “Participating Banks”. Next to your account icon you will see a “Magnifying Glass” icon, click on it and type “Banks” in the search bar that appears. As a result of the search, look for the item “Payment methods supported in Russia.” You will be taken to a page that lists all Russian banks that work with Google Pay.

If your bank is on the list, you can proceed to the last step - linking the card to your Google account.

Google Pay stopped working on your phone or watch

In connection with well-known world events, sanctions have been imposed on some banks in the Russian Federation, and Google Corporation is prohibited from interacting with them.

Cardholders of these banks are deprived of the opportunity to pay with them using phones and smart watches. Google Pay and Apple Pay do not work, although the cards of the sanctioned banks of the VISA and MasterCard payment systems in Russia are accepted for payment.

Payment by phone does not work or works intermittently (which means it will soon turn off completely) at the following banks:

Promsvyazbank (PSB).
VTB Bank.
Opening.
Sovcombank (Halva card).
Novikombank.

There are 2 ways out of the situation:

Use the Russian contactless payment service Mir Pay. This option is only suitable for MIR cards (link to Google Play).
Link a card from another bank to Google Pay and pay using it.

By the way, Steam has stopped accepting cards from some Russian banks. Clients of VTB and Sberbank encountered problems with payment. At the same time, VTB does not work for almost everyone, and Sberbank does not work for only some. When making a payment, an error appears with the text “The organization that issued your bank card rejected the request.”

What to do if Android Pay on Xiaomi does not respond to the trading terminal

To solve this problem you need to perform the following settings:

Go to “Settings”, open the “Security” section.
Select “Permissions”, “Other permissions”.
Select Android Pay and check all the boxes to allow.
Go to “Security” again.
Select “Autorun” and check the box next to the application.
We return to “Settings”, go to the following sections – Battery and performance – Battery consumption by applications – Turn on and select the Android Pay application. In it we set “No restrictions” and “Allow”.
We check the standard settings (described above) and try to bring it to the terminal.

How to pay on Mi Note 3

To pay, you will need to install the free Android Pay app from the Play Store.

then launch it and add a credit or debit card to it

Now you need to go to “Settings” - “Additional features” - “NFC” and turn it on.

Next, click on “Contactless payment” and select “Main payment method” - “Android Pay”

Now you can try to pay. It should work, but if it doesn’t, then follow a couple more simple steps. To do this, in the settings, below the NFC switch, you need to click on “Security element location” and select “HCE Wallet”

If it is already selected, then still switch to “Built-in Security Element” and then back to “HCE Wallet”.

To pay, just bring the top of your smartphone to the terminal.

There is no need to poke the phone close to the terminal or lay it on it. If everything is configured correctly, payments will work even at some distance from the terminal (about 2-3 cm).

Setting up a payment application

To make payment by phone instead of a card without complications, you should clarify how to link your bank card to the shopping application. Depending on the device model and specific nuances, the sequence of actions can be adjusted, but the general setup instructions are as follows:

Find Android Pay in the application store, download it and install it.
After this, you need to launch the program and select the appropriate Google profile (in the case where several available options are marked on the smartphone).
If a bank card was previously registered with the specified account, it will be displayed. Otherwise you will have to add it yourself. To do this, you need to tap on the icon in the form of a plus in a circle in the lower right corner.
From the proposed list of actions, select “Add a credit or debit card.”
Next, you need to enter the details of the specified banking product. Information can be entered manually or using a camera. In the second case, you need to point the lens at the card so that it completely fits into the selected rectangle. The system automatically reads the information and displays it. The owner must additionally enter the digits of the CVC code.
If necessary, you should additionally confirm the correctness of the actions performed by entering a special combination received via SMS.
The system checks the functioning of the card, withdrawing 30 rubles from the account. There is no need to worry about losing them - the funds will be returned in the future.

Owners of Xiaomi Mi 6 and other models that support contactless payment technology can add other cards to the application if necessary.

The phone payment function at the checkout can be configured using a default card, or you will have to select the appropriate item each time.

How to set up NFC on Xiaomi Mi 9T

First of all, make sure you have the Google Pay app installed. If not, download it from Google Play first.

Step

Go to the smartphone settings - Additional functions and check that NFC is enabled.

Step

We check that the HCE wallet is selected in the “Security element location”. Go to Settings - All applications and find Google Pay there and enable Autostart.

Step

Now all that remains is to give all permissions to the application.

On the left screenshot you can see exactly how it was by default and what needs to be done can be seen on the right screenshot. That's all, after these simple 3 steps, everything should work. Also, as an option, you can disable optimization (set to “No restrictions”) for the Google Pay application, but this is not necessary.

And finally, make sure that the Google Pay application is selected as the default for contactless payment.

Other reasons for Mi9 failure

It is also possible that there are other reasons for errors during contactless payments. The essence may be hidden in:

A disabled or missing module in the phone. Be sure to check if NFC is activated. If there is no checkbox, check it. Those who do not have the NFS column in additional functions can be advised to install a special antenna. This does not threaten owners of Xiaomi Mi 9, but for users of older models this is quite relevant.
Low balance. There must always be a sufficient amount of money in the account of the card linked to the system. If the balance is zero, you should initially top up your account. Another option is to choose another means of payment for payment. If there is none, then the solution is standard - pay for the purchase the old fashioned way (cash or using a card).
Blocking the linked card. It is impossible to withdraw funds from a payment instrument that has been blocked by the bank or the user himself, as well as a card that has expired. There is nothing left to do but unlock the banking instrument and only then proceed with contactless payment.
Incorrect service configuration. If you are making a payment for the first time after linking your card, then it is possible that you simply entered incorrect or incomplete information or did something else incorrectly. It is worth removing the payment instrument and adding it again. When entering details, you need to be extremely careful. Pay special attention to entering the address. Be sure to indicate the zip code, region and city.
Linking an inappropriate card. First make sure that the card and bank are supported by the system. If you don’t find your option in the list, then open an account with another financial institution and be sure to check whether a specific card can be linked to Google Pay.
Unlocked bootloader. This should be blocked and nothing else.
Having superuser rights. Root rights will not allow you not only to make payments, but also to properly configure the service. If you want to work with Google Pay, you will have to refuse them or try to bypass the blocking. The latter can be done using the Magisk utility, the RootCloak module. It is also possible to temporarily disable Root.
Using Google Pay in a country where the system is not supported. This is true for travelers or people arriving abroad on a business trip. If the region is really not on the list of supported ones, then you won’t be able to pay for the product by phone.
A banal failure. For smooth operation, sometimes it is enough to reboot the device and try to pay again.
Software. NFC does not work on xiaomi mi 9, often due to non-original firmware. Here, too, problems begin much earlier. For example, it may be difficult to load a map. And if you can do this, then you won’t be able to pay with it using a smartphone. Service center employees will help you solve the problem.
On an unlocked smartphone. To activate the service, the user needs to “revive” the mobile using a fingerprint, iris scan or face scan. The easiest way and the least secure is to enter a password. If this is not done, transactions will not be carried out.
Large payment amount. If the cost of the goods exceeds 1 thousand rubles, the service will require additional authentication. Without entering the PIN code, funds will not be read. This is done for the safety and security of the client’s money.
Updates. For normal operation, the system will have to be updated periodically. This can be done at any time, but you must have the Internet.
Technical problems at the service or at the bank. This is also no exception. Here's the advice - wait with contactless payment until everything is resolved.
The phone you are using. Any gadget tends to break sooner or later. A careless attitude towards technology contributes to this. Any physical impact (shocks, falls, contact with water) will lead to problems in operation. After water gets into the mechanisms, the contacts often oxidize. This can also happen to the NFC chip itself. Even scratches on the screen sometimes interfere with identification and making a payment using your phone.
Operating system. The global problem is Android OS 5.0 and below. In this case, funny things are inevitable. You can check this nuance in the device settings. There opens “System” - “About phone” - “Android version”.
Incorrect time and date set. The transaction history contains information about the time and date of a particular monetary transaction. And if the time zone is set incorrectly, problems arise here too. You can set up the service yourself in seconds. Just go to Settings, then Advanced Settings and click on Date and Time. You can configure it yourself or select the network date and time.
Case. Payment may be processed intermittently if the smartphone is wearing an inappropriate case. It is especially problematic with metal and dense ones. It’s easy to fix the situation - remove the protective case and bring your smartphone closer to the terminal to make a payment.

Contactless payment Tinkoff: NFC in the mobile application

It's also always worth looking at whether your device is suitable for contactless payments. The list of supported ones includes Xiaomi Mi 3, 6, 8, 8 Pro, 9, SE, etc.

How to pay in the store?

I have already written several times about how to use NFC. Let me remind you briefly:

Unlock your phone and turn on the NFC icon in the notification panel.
As soon as the POS terminal is ready to accept the card, bring the phone close to it.
A Google Pay notification will notify you of a successful transaction.

Only 2 smartphones from Xiaomi in the line with the number 8 received an NFC module: Note 8T and Note 8 Pro. Setting up contactless payment on Redmi Note 8 Pro is similar to Note 8T and is practically no different. If you have a problem, use the instructions for your health! And whoever succeeded, leave feedback.

Possible problems and their solutions

If the terminal is unable to read card data when trying to pay for something, or when other problems arise with the use of the chip, it is recommended to perform the following steps:

go to the security settings, the permissions section, find Android Pay there and set the switch to the “Allow” position in all the items available there;
In the security settings, check Android Pay to allow its auto-start;
open the battery and performance settings, select “Battery consumption by applications”, enable this function if necessary, select Android Pay a little higher from the list of applications, set the switch to “No restrictions” and a little lower - “Allow”;
go to the notification settings and status bar, and check all the items in the Android Pay application list;
the next thing is to go to settings – “More” – “Security element location” – “Use HCE Wallet”, a little lower – Contactless payment, select Android Pay as the main payment method;
and the last setting is to go to the security settings, select the power settings item and disable the power saving function.

Connecting to Android Pay

To connect a credit card to Android Pay, you need to download this application from the Play Market and install it.

QR Code

Google Pay

Developer: Google LLC

Price: Free

Next you need to follow simple instructions. How to set up:

After installing the Android Pay application, launch it;
When opened, the program will prompt the user to connect a credit card;

The credit card must be presented to the camera lens so that the smartphone can read the number, as well as the expiration date (all data can be entered manually);
Next, you should enter the CVV code, which is located on the other side;
The card loader will also require the owner's address;
After verification, the bank must send an SMS with a verification code to confirm the actions taken.

Ready. You can start using it.

If the user has previously connected credit cards to a Google account, the program will prompt you to mark one. To make a link, you will need to specify the CVV, after which you can use it. You can read more in a separate article about connecting Google Pay.

What to do if the terminal does not read the NFC of the smartphone

Don't know how to set up NFC on Xiaomi? Here are the tips:

Go to the standard “Security” application. Select Permissions - Other permissions - Android Pay and set all the checkboxes to "Allow".
In the “Security” settings, in the Autostart column, check the box against Android Pay.
Go to Settings - Battery and performance - Battery consumption by applications. If the “Enable” checkbox is already ticked, then click a little higher on “Select applications” - Android Pay. And set “No restrictions” and below “Allow”. If there is already an o there, then do not change anything.
Just in case, go to Settings - Notifications and status bar - Application notifications. Select Android Pay and check all the boxes.
Go to Settings - More - Security element location - “Use HCE Wallet”. Below is the item Contactless payment - The main payment method is “Android Pay”.
Double-check that NFC is enabled and can be used.

If none of the above helped, try going to the “Security” application - Power - Energy Saving - uncheck the box. We hope you now know how to enable the NFC function on Xiaomi and use Android Pay.

Connecting NFS on your phone

For NFC installation to proceed without complications, you must follow the specified sequence of actions:

Check whether the smartphone meets the technical requirements specified above.
If no contradictions have been identified, you need to go to the settings section.
Select the Wireless Networks subsection.
Tap on Additional Features.
Find the line with NFC and move the slider to the position that allows data exchange.
Activate Android Beam if it is disabled.

After this, the owner of the mobile device can use the available functions by exchanging data with payment terminals to make payments.

If there is no item with NFC in the settings, it means that the phone does not support the technology. You need to understand that you won’t be able to enable NFC on the Xiaomi Redmi 10X, since this line does not support contactless transfer of information using this method.

Recommendations

Despite the simplicity of the general requirements for installing, configuring and using the application on Xiaomi, various difficulties may arise in private settings. If you have encountered one of these problems and successfully dealt with it, you can share your experience in the comments.

A common cause of problems with the payment service on Xiaomi is the presence of an outdated firmware version on the gadget. To solve the problem, you just need to update the OS to a new one. In some cases, updated firmware allows Android Pay to work even without locking the bootloader.

Installing Magisk Manager (root administrator) allows you to solve the problem with root rights (the service works without disabling them). Tested with Android Pay on mi5s and mi5 models.

Adviсe

The security of the technology allows the smartphone owner not to worry about protecting his own information.

The developer guarantees a high degree of protection by transmitting data in a few seconds over a short distance. In this case, it is impossible to intercept information using existing hacking methods.

However, fraudsters in Russia may otherwise gain access to the personal information of third parties. To prevent this, you need to adhere to a number of simple rules:

do not disclose the security password for logging into the system. This applies not only to strangers, but also to relatives and bank employees;
no need to leave your smartphone unattended or give it to other people. An attacker can enter the application and find out the data;
If you lose your mobile device or bank card, you must immediately send a request to the financial institution to block your account. This way you can get rid of the risk of hackers gaining access to your savings.

If you have problems using the application that are not related to one of the above reasons, you should contact the bank by calling the hotline to resolve them.