How to set up contactless payment card on Xiaomi: full instructions from A to Z

Why is contactless payment on Xiaomi convenient and safe?

Xiaomi smartphones have long since ceased to be just a phone, they have become full-fledged financial assistants. Contactless payment through NFC allows you to pay for purchases with a single touch, without taking a card out of your wallet. But how to properly configure this feature to work stable and secure?

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for setting up contactless payments on any Xiaomi smartphone, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi 13 or POCO F5. We will analyze all the steps: checking NFC support, choosing a payment service (Google Pay, Mi Pay or banking application), adding cards and solving typical problems, and also give unique security tips that are not in the standard manuals.

Important: Contactless payment works only on smartphones with a chip NFC. If your model does not support it (e.g. Redmi). 9A or POCO M3), alternative QR-codes through SberPay or Tinkoff.

Step 1: Check out NFC support on your Xiaomi

Before you set up your payment, make sure your smartphone is equipped with an NFC module. Not all Xiaomi models have one - especially in the budget segment.

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → NFC. If there is no point, there is no chip.
• 📱 Check the model characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or in the GSMArena service.
• 🛒 If NFC No, but you need a contactless payment – use it. QR-codes through banking applications.

List of popular Xiaomi models with NFC (2020-2026):

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) The chip is there, but it can be disabled in the firmware for certain regions. NFC No – try changing the region to India or Europe in Settings → Additionally. → Region.

Step 2: Enable NFC and set up default payment

If you have an NFC chip, you have to activate it and configure it.

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. Move the slider to the on position.
3. Tap on the default payment and select the service: 💳 Google Pay is a universal option for most banks. 🏦 Mi Pay – works with Chinese banks (for Russia is irrelevant). 🏛️ Application of your bank (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.).

Allow payments with a locked screen

Once NFC is activated, the smartphone will automatically be ready to pay when it is brought to the terminal, but first you need to add a bank card.

Included NFC in settings

Selected payment service by default

Bank application installed (if necessary)

The card supports contactless payments (it has a sign on it). 🌐)-->

Step 3: Add a bank card to Google Pay or Mi Pay

The most popular way is to link the card to Google Pay (now Google Wallet).

1. Download Google Wallet from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
3. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually: 💳 Card number (16 digits). 📅 Duration (month/year). 🔐 CVC-code (3 digits on the back).

Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

PIN-payment-code

For Mi Pay (relevant to China and some Asian countries):

1. Download Mi Pay.
2. Link a Chinese bank card (e.g. China UnionPay)
3. Confirm via SMS or fingerprint.

⚠️ Note: Some Russian banks (such as Gazprombank or Otkritie) may block the addition of cards to Google Pay due to sanctions. NFC-payment.

1. Update the application and firmware of the smartphone.

2. Delete the Google Play Services cache in Settings → Apps → App Management.

3. use a different card of the same bank (sometimes the problem is a specific plastic release).-->

Step 4: We set up payment via the banking application (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB)

If Google Pay doesn't support your bank, the alternative is the official app, and consider the example of popular banks:

Sberbank (SberPay)

1. Install the Sberbank Online application.

2. log in and go to the Maps section → select the card you want.

3. Tap Add to SberPay and confirm by SMS.

4. Enable the option of Pay by NFC in the card settings.

Tinkoff

1. Open the Tinkoff app.

2. Go to Maps → Select a card → Add to Google Pay (or Set up contactless payment).

3. Confirm the addition via push or SMS.

VTB

1. In the VTB Online application, select a map.

2. Click Card Management → Contactless payments → Add to your wallet.

3. Follow the instructions (a support call may be required to activate).

After adding the card to the banking application, it will automatically become available for payment via NFC (provided that the application is selected as the default payment in the smartphone settings).

Step 5: Testing the payment and solving typical problems

Before making your first payment, check again:

• ✅ NFC included.
• ✅ Card added to Google Pay or banking app.
• ✅ Application selected as default payment.
• ✅ There are enough funds on the card (some terminals block payment at zero balance).

How to pay:

1. Unlock your smartphone (unless you have the option of paying from a locked screen).
2. Bring the top of the phone (where the NFC antenna is located) to the terminal at a distance of 2-3 cm.
3. Wait for vibration or sound signal.
4. If the amount is above the limit (usually 1000-5000). ₽) enter PIN-code.

Typical problems and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware update MIUI Contactless payment stopped working, try resetting the settings NFC to factory: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting wireless network settings (does not affect phone data).

Step 6: Improve the security of contactless payments

Contactless payment is convenient but requires a special attention to security, and here are some unique tips that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions:

• 🔒 Set a limit on payment without PIN in the settings of the banking application (usually 1000-5000) ₽).
• 📱 Turn on the lock when you lose communication in Google Wallet (configure automatically if the phone is not on the network for a long time).
• 🚨 Use virtual cards for everyday purchases (for example, you can create a one-time card in Tinkoff or Sberbank).
• 🔄 Check your transaction history regularly in the banking application (enable push notifications about write-offs).
• 🛡️ Set up two-factor authentication in your Google account and banking app.

What to do if your phone is stolen:

1. Block the card immediately through the bank application or by hotline number.
2. Remove the cards from Google Pay remotely through the web version of the service.
3. Use the Find Device feature in your Xiaomi account to lock your smartphone.

An additional layer of protection is NFC hardware lock. On some Xiaomi models (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), you can disable NFC for specific applications in Settings → Privacy → Application Permits.

💡

Never keep it. PIN-codes from cards in notes on your phone or cloud services. Use password managers (like KeePass or Bitwarden) with two-factor authentication.

Alternatives NFC: QR-codes and other payment methods

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support NFC, don’t despair – there are other ways to pay contactlessly:

• 📱 QR-Most banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) allow you to pay for purchases through scanning QR checkout.
• 💻 Online banking: Transfers by phone number or card (for example, via SBP – Quick Payment System).
• 🍎 Apple Pay for Friends: If you have an iPhone or Apple Watch, link the card to them.
• 🛒 Self-delivery with payment online: Many stores (for example, Pyaterochka or Magnet) allow you to pay for the order in advance through the application.

To pay for it. QR-code:

1. Open a banking application (for example, Sberbank Online).
2. Select Payment by QR.
3. Point the camera at the code on the terminal or checkout.
4. Confirm the amount and the charge.

Advantage QR-codes – they work on any smartphone, even without NFC. Disadvantage – you need to unlock your phone and open the app, which is longer than touching.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions