NFC in Xiaomi Redmi 9: a complete guide to setup and application

What is NFC in a smartphone and why you need it in Redmi 9

The NFC (Near Field Communication) technology in Xiaomi Redmi 9 is not just a contactless payment module, but a feature-rich tool that many users underestimate. NFC chip allows you to exchange data up to 10 cm, interact with smart devices and even automate routine tasks. Unlike Bluetooth, the connection is instantaneous — just hold your smartphone to another device or tag.

Redmi 9 (model M2003J15SC) uses the NXP PN54T chip, which supports all the major standards: ISO 14443 (for bank cards), ISO 18092 (for data exchange), and MIFARE (for transport cards and tags), which means that you can use the phone not only for payment in stores, but also for reading transport cards, connecting to smart locks or even creating automated scripts using the Mi Home.

Main advantage NFC redmi 9 — The chip consumes a minimum amount of charge, so even when used actively (for example, to pay for a charge). 10-15 once a day) the impact on autonomy will be negligible. NFC It can be disabled at the firmware level – it depends on the version. MIUI telecommunications operator.

How to enable NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9: step-by-step instructions

The NFC module takes less than a minute to activate, but many users have difficulty with the non-obvious settings.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
3. Slip on the NFC item - it can be in the submenu Additional.
4. Activate the NFC slider (should turn blue).
5. For contactless payments, include also HCE-Wallet and default payment (if you plan to use Google Pay or Mi Pay).

When activated, the top notification bar will display an NFC icon (a stylized letter "N"), and if it's not, check if the module is power-saving.

• 🔋 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Energy saving regime.
• 📱 Make sure there is no item in the Restricted Features list NFC.
• 🔄 Restart your phone if the changes don’t apply.

Is the module included in the settings

Does the icon appear in the notification panel?

Are there any restrictions on energy saving?

The phone recognizes test tags (e.g., a transport card)-->

⚠️ Note: Some firmware for Redmi 9 (especially global versions) feature NFC It can be blocked. If there's no item in the settings. NFC, check the version MIUI In Settings → The phone, it's gonna need an update to unlock. MIUI 12.5+ or hand-held firmware through Fastboot.

Configure contactless payments via NFC

The main use of NFC in Redmi 9 is to pay for purchases without a bank card, and to do this, you need to link the card to one of the supported services:

To link the card to Google Pay:

1. Open the app and click Add the card.
2. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
3. Confirm the link via SMS from the bank.
4. Install Google Pay as the default payment app in the NFC settings.

Important: Redmi 9 for payment through NFC You don't need to unlock the screen, you just have to bring the phone to the terminal, but after you reboot the device or shut it down. NFC I'll have to re-introduce. PIN-security-code.

Google Pay|Mi Pay|SberPay|Nothing else |Not using-->

Transfer of files and data via NFC

The NFC in Redmi 9 can be used to quickly share contacts, photos or links with other smartphones, both of which must support the Android Beam standard (replaced with Fast Share in new versions of Android).

1. Turn on NFC on both phones.
2. Open the file you want to transfer (for example, a photo in a gallery).
3. Hold the Redmi 9 back to another smartphone (distance < 5 cm).
4. Wait for the beep - the transmission will start automatically.

Transmission speed through NFC Low (up to 424 Kbps) for large files (>10 MB) is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth. NFC perfect:

• 📇 Exchange of business cards (contacts in.vcf format).
• 🔗 Quickly transfer links to websites or applications.
• 🎟️ Transfer of tickets or passports in.pkpass format.
• 🔑 Sharing Wi-Fi passwords (via specialised applications like WiFi Key Share).

⚠️ Note: When transmitting data through NFC Redmi 9 can automatically turn on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct to speed up the process. If this interferes, turn off the option Auto Connection in the settings. NFC.

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To transfer your Wi-Fi password over NFC, install the NFC Tools app and create a tag with your network data, so guests can connect to your router simply by attaching the phone to the tag.

Work with NFC-Labels: Automation and Smart Home

One of the most useful features of NFC is to interact with tags (small chips that can be programmed to perform actions), and you can use them to:

• 🚗 Run the navigator in the car when the phone is applied to the tag on the holder.
• 🏠 Turn on the "Home" mode (Wi-Fi, quiet sound) when approaching the tag at the door.
• 📱 Open frequently used applications (e.g. Spotify in the machine).
• 🔋 Activate energy saving at work.

To work with tags, you will need the NFC Tools app (available on Google Play).

1. Buy the empty ones. NFC-tags (e.g., labels, NTAG213 or NTAG215 AliExpress).
2. Open NFC Tools and select Write → Add a record.
3. Select an action (such as Open URL or Launch App).
4. Put the tag on the back of the Redmi 9 (where it is located) NFC-chip and wait for confirmation.

Location NFC-The antennas in Redmi 9 are the top of the back cover (near the camera), and you need to apply the tag to that area to read it reliably:

• 📱 Check if the cover covers the antenna.
• 🔋 Make sure the tag is not demagnetized (try another one).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Using NFC for Transport and Passage

Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports emulation of transport cards via NFC, but with reservations. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia, you can link:

• 🚇 Troika (Moscow) – via Metro Moscow app.
• 🚌 Pomorodnik (St. Petersburg) - through Pomorodnik SPb.
• 🚊 Strelka (Kazan) - through Tatsotsbank.

To link the transport map:

1. Install the official application of the transport operator.
2. Log in and find the Link card to NFC.
3. Hold the physical card to the back of the Redmi 9 (the original must be with a chip).
4. Confirm the binding and remove the physical card from the wallet (it will become inactive).

Important nuances:

• 📱 Redmi 9 can only link one transport card.
• 🔄 Once the original card is attached, it cannot be used – it is deactivated.
• 🚫 Not all cities support virtual cards (for example, in Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk, this only works with banking applications).

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi 9 with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the transport card emulation function may not work. HCE-module in informal assemblies.

Solving NFC Problems in Redmi 9

If NFC doesn't work or doesn't work, the reasons can be both software and hardware, and here are the typical scenarios and their solutions:

If none of these methods worked, check the NFC hardware:

1. Install the NFC Check app from Google Play and run the chip test.
2. If the test shows an error, contact the service center. NFC-antenna soldered into the motherboard, and its replacement requires disassembly of the device.

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Before contacting the service, check if the problems with NFC are associated with informal firmware. Installing custom software often breaks the work of contactless payments.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC in Xiaomi Redmi 9