Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have become full-fledged digital wallets, allowing customers to make purchases with one touch of the device to the terminal, but owners often face the question of where the payment system is selected on the menu and how to activate contactless payment, which is especially true in the context of changing rules of financial services in different regions.
By default, the MIUI or HyperOS shell gives priority to Google Pay (or its analogues depending on the Android version), but the system allows you to flexibly set priorities. Users need to understand the difference between adding a card to the bank application, setting up Google Wallet service and managing a Mi Pay profile.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to find hidden settings, switch the main payment system and solve common problems with the payment system. NFC-You will learn how to configure the device correctly so that payment is made the first time, and what nuances exist for different versions of firmware.
The basic concept of payment services in MIUI and HyperOS
Before we get to specific menu items, it’s important to understand the payment architecture of Xiaomi devices.The smartphone doesn’t store your card number in plain form; instead, it uses tokenization technology. NFC-A chip that emulates a physical bank card.
And in the Android ecosystem, there's this notion of the default payment app, and that's what gets access to it. NFC-The module is the moment you bring your phone to the terminal. On global firmware versions, it's almost always Google services. However, in Chinese versions or when using specific banking applications, priority may shift to Mi Pay or third-party wallets.
⚠️ Note: If you have a Chinese version of a smartphone with global firmware, the module NFC In such cases, standard customization methods may not work without deep firmware reflashing.
The difference between Mi Pay and Google Pay is fundamental: the first is Xiaomi’s native service, which is integrated directly into the system application “Security” or “Wallet”. The second is the add-on from Google, which requires Google Play services (GMS), the choice of system depends on what infrastructure your bank supports and in which region you are located.
Modern versions of HyperOS seek to unify this process by hiding complex settings from the user, but manual prioritization remains necessary to work properly in specific scenarios (such as using multiple profiles or corporate cards).
Where to find NFC settings and select the default app
The main way to manage payment systems is through system security settings. Unlike pure Android, where everything is in the Connections menu, Xiaomi groups these features in the security section. To get there, open Settings and select Connect and Sharing (or just Additional in older versions of MIUI).
Here you will find the switch. NFC. When activated, the menu below will appear "Secure Element" or "Security Element Location" and this parameter determines which chip will be used to encrypt data: built-in to the processor (HCE) chip-driven SIM-map (SWP). Google Pay and most of the services you need to choose from HCE Wallet.
Next comes the critical item, "Tap and Pay" (or "Default Payment App"), and clicking on it, you'll see a list of all the apps that you've installed that are purporting to be payment apps, and the system will suggest you choose one of them:
- 📱 Google Pay is the standard choice for most regions.
- 💳 Mi Pay – relevant for users in China and some CIS countries.
- 🏦 Applications of banks – some banks (for example, Sberbank or Tinkoff in Russia) have their own modules NFC-payment.
- 🔒 Other wallets, such as Samsung Pay (on some models) or enterprise solutions.
When you select the right application, you give priority. Now, when you unlock the screen and you bring it to the terminal, the system will automatically start that service. If the service you choose does not respond, the phone will try to launch an alternative, but this can lead to delays or read errors.
☑️ Checking settings NFC
Configuring and managing Mi Pay
Mi Pay is built directly into the MIUI/HyperOS shell and does not require a separate application from the Play Market Store to be installed. It is activated via the System Security app (green shield icon) or the Wallet app. In global firmware versions, this functionality can be hidden or replaced with integration with Google Pay.
To set up Mi Pay, go to the Wallet app, and if you see a suggestion to add a card, it means that the service is active in your region, the process of adding a card is similar to other systems: scanning a card with a camera or manually entering data, followed by confirmation via SMS from the bank.
The feature of Mi Pay is deep integration with the unlock system. You can set up payment by fingerprint or facial recognition without having to unlock your smartphone beforehand, if the bank's security policy allows. In the Wallet settings, find the Payments section and activate the corresponding switches.
Why is Mi Pay not working in Europe?
It is important to note that Mi Pay uses a proprietary security token other than Google’s, meaning you can add the same card to both services independently.However, when choosing Mi Pay as the primary method, Google Pay will stop responding to terminal touches until you change priority in NFC settings back.
Use of Google Pay and Google Wallet
On the vast majority of Xiaomi smartphones outside China, the main tool is the bundle of Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) and Google Pay. It is important to distinguish between these two concepts: Wallet is a card storage application, and Pay is a transaction technology.
The setup is done exclusively within the Google Wallet app, and once you add a card, it automatically checks it through the Google Pay API. If all is correct, the phone's NFC settings will make it available to you to choose from. Unlike Mi Pay, there is no separate menu inside Xiaomi; all token and limit management is done on the Google server side.
| Parameter | Mi Pay | Google Pay / Wallet |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Xiaomi System App | Google Play Services |
| Regions | China, India, Russia (partially) | Globally (except for sanctions restrictions) |
| Security | Depends on the MIUI version. | High (Tokenization + Biometrics) |
| Updates | Through system upgrades | Automatically via Play Store |
If you upgraded your phone to HyperOS, the Google Wallet interface might have changed, now it's often combined with pass keys and tickets, just unlock your phone and bring it to the terminal to pay, and you don't need to run the app if that's the method you're using in your NFC settings.
In case of a crash, when the terminal can't see the phone, try clearing the cache of the Google Pay and Google Play Services app. Sometimes re-associating the card helps: remove it from Wallet and add it again. This updates the bank-side security tokens.
Solving the Problems of Defining a Payment System
Often, users are faced with a situation where the phone is turned on, the NFC is activated, but the terminal writes "Payment not made" or does not respond at all. One common cause is an application conflict. If you have multiple applications claiming NFC rights (for example, a bank application, Google Pay and a third-party emulator), the system can "lose" which system to run.
Use Safe Mode for diagnosis or temporarily disable all but one of the apps. Also check if the antivirus has blocked access to NFC. In the Xiaomi Security app, go to Permissions → Other Permits and make sure Google Pay and Mi Wallet have access to NFC and Location.
⚠️ Warning: The presence of magnetic protection on the case or metal plate for the car holder on the back cover can completely block the signal NFC. Remove the case for inspection.
Another common problem is demagnetization or software failure NFC-Try resetting your network, and it won't delete your personal data, but it will bring back Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other configurations. NFC To the factory values. → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
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If the payment doesn't pass, try turning off the screen, then turn it on and bring it to the terminal immediately. Sometimes Android security blocks NFC if the phone has been unlocked for a long time without action.
Specificity of work in different regions and limitations
Geography of use directly affects the available features: in Russia, for example, after 2022, Google Pay service stopped working with cards of Russian banks, in which case Xiaomi users are forced to switch to alternative methods: Mi Pay (if the bank supports), SBP (payment on payment). QR-use of virtual cards of foreign banks.
In China, the situation is reversed: Google services are blocked, and the main system is Mi Pay or Alipay/WeChat Pay. When moving from one region to another or buying a phone with another global firmware (CN Global, EU Global, RU Global), there may be conflicts of security certificates.
For users travelling between regions, it is recommended to:
- 🌍 Have linked cards of international payment systems (Visa/MC/Mir), issued in different jurisdictions.
- 📱 Check the relevance of the region in the settings of the Mi Account.
- 🔄 Regularly update the applications of banks and Google Play Services.
Also, consider that some Chinese Xiaomi models (such as the Black Shark series or specific versions of Redmi) may have a stripped down list of supported NFC frequencies or completely devoid of this module for the sake of price.
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The choice of payment system in Xiaomi is not just a switching switch, but a comprehensive setup of NFC priorities, depending on the region, firmware version and support from your bank.