Xiaomi smartphone owners often wonder how to set up contactless payment, as it is one of the most convenient features of modern gadgets. Redmi 9 series models are equipped with an NFC module that allows you to use the device as a bank card or a pass. However, the process of activation and binding cards can vary depending on the version of the MIUI operating system and the region of use.
Before you start setting up, it is important to make sure that your device does support this technology, as some modifications may be devoid of a communication chip. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparing, installing the necessary applications and directly adding payment instruments to the phone memory.
It is worth noting that the functionality of NFC on Xiaomi devices in Russia and other CIS countries has its own peculiarities due to changes in the operation of payment systems.We will consider both standard methods through Google Pay (for supported regions) and Mi Pay, as well as alternative methods of emulation of cards that are relevant in the current environment.
Check the availability of NFC module on Redmi 9
The first step should always be to verify the hardware of the device. Not all versions of Redmi 9 are equipped with a short-range chip, and trying to configure the function on models without the appropriate equipment will only lead to a waste of time.
The quickest way is to go to the settings menu and search for the system, type the word "NFC" into the system settings search bar, if there's a module, the system will suggest you go to the appropriate switch, and you can also use the ##6484## encoding to log into the engineering menu, where the NFC Test item should be on the test list.
Visually, the module is often confirmed by a logo on the back of the device or in documentation. If you didn't find the switch in the notification curtain or in the Connect and Sharing menu, chances are your model doesn't have an embedded chip.
- 📱 Check for a switch in the notification curtain (pull from top to bottom).
- 🔍 Use the search by settings by entering the request "NFC".
- 🛠️ Run the engineering menu through code ##6484## for in-depth diagnostics.
⚠️ Note: If the test is on the engineering menu NFC If you see an error or no software installation, you can't program the chip.
Activation and basic NFC configuration
Once you've confirmed the module, you need to activate it correctly. In the MIUI shell, the wireless interface management is placed in a separate unit. To get started, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing. This is the main switch that runs the chip.
It is also important to set up a security element. The system will suggest you choose the default payment app. In most cases, you should leave Google Pay (or its analogue) or choose HCE Wallet if you plan to use alternative emulation methods.
To work smoothly, you need to enable permission to use data in the background for payment applications, which ensures that the payment terminal can read data even if the application is not running on the screen right now, and it is also recommended to install a pin code or biometric screen protection.
The NFC settings menu often has "Aerial Location" option, and click on it to see a schematic image of your smartphone showing the contact area, which will help you to properly attach your phone to the terminal in the future.
☑️ Setting up NFC
Instructions: Adding a Bank Card
The process of adding a card depends on the payment service chosen. For a standard procedure, through Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay), you need to open the application and click the "Add" button. The smartphone camera automatically recognizes the data from the plastic, but you can enter it manually.
Once the data is entered, the bank will send the verification code via SMS or through its banking application, which is a standard verification procedure for the owner, and in some cases, the bank may require a call to the call center to confirm the binding operation.
If you use Mi Pay (available in a limited number of regions), the process is similar, but authorization is done through the Mi Account.It is important to understand that in the current conditions, Russian Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Google Pay and Mi Pay, so for users from the Russian Federation this section is relevant only for foreign banks or MIR cards through third-party solutions.
If you successfully link the card, it will appear in the list of available tools, and you can assign it to the default card so that you don't choose it every time you bring the phone to the terminal.
| Payment system | Support for Russian maps | Required SOUTH | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pay | No (since 2022) | Google Wallet | High (abroad) |
| Mi Pay | Limitedly. | Mi Pay / Mi Credit | Medium |
| HCE Wallet | Yes (through emulation) | HCE Wallet + Plugin | Depends on the bank. |
| SberPay | Yes (only Sber) | Sberbank Online | Tall. |
Alternative payment methods (HCE and emulation)
Due to the limitations of standard services, many Redmi 9 users are switching to the Host Card Emulation (HCE) method, which allows the phone to pretend to be a card by reading data from plastic and transferring it to the terminal, and this will require the installation of a special wallet application, such as HCE Wallet or Wallet Pass.
The setup process is more complicated than the standard one, and you will need to download not only the wallet app itself, but also a special plugin for your particular bank. These plugins are often not available in the official Play Market store, so they have to be downloaded from trusted developer resources.
Once you have the plugin and the wallet installed, you have to add the card to the app by scanning it, and the key here is to make a copy of the magnetic track or the chip data, and some banks block this emulation, so it doesn't work for all financial institutions.
Why are some cards not added to HCE?
Another option is the use of QR-codes via SberPay or SBP, if the terminal supports such a function. NFC-payment in its pure form, the result for the user is identical - contactless payment.
Addressing common problems
Even when you're properly set up, there can be failures. Often the problem is the case. If you're using a case with metal inserts, magnetic locks, or too thick, it can shield the signal. Take off the case and try to make the payment again.
Another common cause is back contamination or improper positioning. The antenna in Redmi 9 is at the top of the back cover. Put the phone to the terminal with that angle, not the center or bottom.
If the phone vibrates when lifted but the payment doesn't go through, check to see if the correct application is chosen by default. Also make sure the screen is unlocked. For security reasons, most phones don't make payments with the screen off.
- 🧹 Wipe the back cover of the smartphone and the terminal screen from fat and dust.
- 📱 Make sure your phone screen is on (unlocking isn’t always mandatory, but desirable).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone if the module NFC He stopped responding to the teams.
⚠️ Note: If the phone emits a series of quick vibrations when trying to pay and the transaction is cancelled, it may mean that the terminal does not support the type of emulation or the card is blocked by the bank.
💡
Use the "Pay with one touch" feature only after making sure the phone screen is on.Attempting to pay with a fully locked screen often results in a connection timeout.
Using NFC for Transport and Passage
The NFC module in Xiaomi Redmi 9 is capable of emulating not only bank cards, but also transport cards (for example, Troika, Strelka, Plantain) and office access cards. For transport cards in some regions, there are official applications that allow you to replenish the balance and link the card to the phone.
Access cards (intercoms, turnstiles) are more complicated, and most of these cards use the old Mifare Classic protocol, which phones often cannot fully emulate due to Android security constraints. UID-emulation can work.
For copying UID (The access card often requires root rights or the use of special modes in the engineering menu, which is not recommended for ordinary users. NFC-tags that are pasted on the phone and programmed to open the door, if the reader allows such an opportunity.
💡
NFC in Redmi 9 copes with transport through official applications, but emulation of intercom keys is not always possible and depends on the type of protection of the card.
You can check what information your access card contains with reader apps like NFC Tools. Scan the card and look at the type of technology. If it says "Unknown" or specific secure sectors, emulation with the phone is likely not going to work.