Contactless payment on Xiaomi: full instructions for setting up NFC and Google Pay / Mi Pay

Contactless payments via a smartphone are no longer a curiosity — it’s now the standard way to pay in stores, cafes and transport. Xiaomi owners can take advantage of this feature thanks to the built-in NFC module, but not everyone knows how to set it up correctly. In this article, we will take a Step-by-step to activate contactless payment on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices — from checking compatibility to adding the first card.

It's important to understand that the process depends on the firmware version (MIUI or HyperOS), the phone model, and even the bank that issued your card. We'll take all the nuances into account: we'll look at the settings through Google Pay (for international firmware versions), Mi Pay (for Chinese and global devices), and alternative methods like Samsung Pay for some models. If you've encountered errors when linking a card or the phone simply does not see the terminal, here you will find solutions.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure that your Xiaomi supports NFC. Most models of the mid-range and premium segment (starting with the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9 and newer) are equipped with this module, but in budget lines (for example, the Redmi A1 or POCO C50) it may not be. You can check the presence of NFC in the characteristics of the device on the official website or directly in the phone settings - more about this in the next section.

1. Check NFC support on your Xiaomi

The first step is to make sure your smartphone is capable of handling contactless payments at all. Even if the specs indicate NFC, sometimes the feature is disabled at the software level (especially in Chinese versions of firmware).

• 📱 Through Settings: Open Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC. If there is no section, the module NFC No physical phone.
• 🔍 Through specs: type in a phone model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) on the GSMArena website and check the Connectivity section".
• 🛠️ Through Diagnostics: Enter #4636## in the phone app, select Phone Information and find the line NFC. If it's not, there's no module.

Special attention should be paid to the Chinese versions of smartphones (marked China). ROM). In them. NFC It's often blocked for international payment systems, so the solution is to reflash the phone to the global version. MIUI It's a HyperOS, but that voids the warranty, and the alternative is to use Chinese payment services like Alipay or WeChat Pay, but they only work in China.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) module NFC It's present, but it only works for tag reading, not for payments.

2.Select payment service: Google Pay vs Mi Pay vs Samsung Pay

Xiaomi has several contactless payment services available on its smartphones, depending on the firmware version, region, and even the bank.

• 💳 Google Pay (Google Wallet): a universal solution for global versions MIUI/HyperOS. Works with most banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.) Supports virtual cards and bonus programs.
• 🏦 Mi Pay: a branded service from Xiaomi, available on Chinese and some global firmware. In Russia, it works only with MIR cards (through partner banks).
• 🌍 Samsung Pay: Despite the name, available on some Xiaomi models via third-party firmware. MST (It works even on older terminals, but requires manual installation.

For most users in Russia and the CIS, the best choice is Google Pay. It supports the maximum number of banks and does not require additional settings. Mi Pay is relevant only if you use a World card or live in China. Samsung Pay is suitable for experienced users who are ready to mess with firmware.

Importantly, the same phone can't work with Google Pay and Mi Pay at the same time, you have to choose one thing, and if you change the service, you have to add all the associated cards again.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Google Pay may block card additions due to uncertified software. The solution is to flash the official global version or use Magisk with SafetyNet Fix module.

3. Google Pay Step-by-step setup on Xiaomi

If you have chosen Google Pay (now Google Wallet), follow this instruction.The process is the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on global firmware:

1. Activate NFC: Go to Settings → Connections & Sharing → NFC and enable the slider. Also activate Contactless Payments (some versions of MIUI called HCE Wallet).
2. Install Google Wallet: Download the app from Google Play. If it's already installed, upgrade to the latest version.
3. Add a card: open Google Wallet, click Add Card → Payment Card. Scan the card with the camera or enter data manually.
4. Confirm via the bank: after adding the card, the bank will send an SMS or push notification for confirmation, in some cases you will need to enter a code from the bank’s application (for example, Sberbank Online or Tinkoff).
5. Set up the default payment: In Google Wallet, select the card you want to use for default payment and drag it to the first place.

Included NFC in settings

The latest update to Google Wallet has been installed

The card supports contactless payments (it has a logo on it). 🌐 or 📶)

The phone is connected to the Internet (to confirm the bank)-->

After adding the card, check its health. To do this, bring the phone to the terminal (you do not need to unlock the screen - double pressing the power button on some models is enough).

• 🔄 Restart the phone and terminal.
• 📱 Make sure that NFC the correct mode is enabled and selected (Contactless payments, not just reading tags).
• 💰 Check if the card for contactless payments is blocked in the personal account of the bank.

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If the terminal doesn’t see the phone, try to bring it to another part of the case – the NFC antenna can be located at the top or bottom of the device (for example, on the Xiaomi 13T it is shifted to the camera).

4. Mi Pay setup on Chinese and global firmware

Mi Pay is a Xiaomi-branded payment service, but its support in Russia is limited, and it only works with MIR cards (via partner banks, such as Otkritie or Raiffeisen) and requires special configuration.

1. Check out the region: Mi Pay is only available on firmware for China, Russia or India. If you have a European version of MIUI, the service will be missing. You can find out the region in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (look for inscriptions like RU, CN or EEA).
2. Update Mi Pay: If the app is preinstalled, update it via AppGallery or APKCombo (for Chinese firmware).
3. Add a World card: open Mi Pay, select Add a card and enter the World card details. Confirmation will be via SMS or push from the bank.
4. Set up security: in Mi Pay go to Settings → Security and activate the request PIN-payment code over 1000 ₽ (default limit: 1,000 ₽ proofless).

If Mi Pay is not on the menu, but the firmware is Russian, try:

• 🔧 Install the application manually (download) APK uptodown).
• 📥 Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi to activate the service (this will require you to do so) IMEI phone).

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Mi Pay only works with Chinese banks by default (ICBC, China Construction Bank, etc. To link the Russian map of the world will need to change the region of the account Mi to Russia (in Settings). → Xiaomi account → Region, but this may block access to some services.

5. Solving common contactless payment problems

Even after setting up the payments correctly, the following errors and their solutions:

If your phone stops recognizing terminals after updating your firmware, try:

1. Reset NFC settings to Settings → Applications → Application Management → NFC → Storage → Clear data.
2. Remove and add the card to the payment service.
3. Reverse to the previous version of the firmware (if the problem appeared after the update).

6. Alternative methods of contactless payment on Xiaomi

If Google Pay and Mi Pay are not suitable, consider the alternatives:

• 🍎 Apple Pay via emulation: Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) can install Apple Pay via Magisk, but this requires root rights and does not guarantee stability.
• 🔄 Samsung Pay with Samsung Pay MST: It works on Xiaomi via the app port, but requires a patch MST Enabler is not supported on all models. 4PDA.
• 💳 Virtual Cards: Services like Revolut, Curve, or Tinkoff allow you to create a virtual card and link it to Google Pay, even if the main card is not supported.
• 🏧 Banking applications: some banks (e.g. Sberbank or Alfa-Bank) have their own solutions for contactless payments through the Internet. NFC, non-Google Paying.

On Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Pro models with HyperOS firmware, the “Fast Payments” function is available – double pressing the power button automatically opens the payment application even if the screen is locked. Activated in Settings → Special Features → Quick Payments.

If you travel frequently, look for multi-currency services like Revolut or Wise, which allow you to link multiple cards in different currencies and automatically convert funds at a favorable rate when paying abroad.

7.Contactless Payments Security: How to Protect Your Money

Contactless payments are convenient but require increased attention to security, and here are the key precautions:

• 🔒 Use the screen lock: no PIN-A code, pattern lock or fingerprint can be used to pay for up to 1,000 purchases. ₽ (limit on payments without confirmation).
• 📱 Turn it off. NFC in simple: in settings NFC Activate the option to turn off when the screen is locked (available on the MIUI 14+).
• 🛡️ Set up notifications: In the banking application, enable push notifications about each transaction – so you immediately know about suspicious write-offs.
• 🚫 Don't keep all the cards in one service: if the phone is stolen, the attacker will have access to all the linked cards.

If your phone is lost or stolen:

1. Block the cards immediately through the banking app or by phone hotline.
2. Delete your device from your Google account (myaccount.google.com/device-activity) and it will unplug Google Pay.
3. Use the Find Device feature in your Xiaomi account (i.mi.com) to remotely lock your phone.

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Never hand your phone over to outsiders for payment – even if the screen is locked, some terminals can read card data up to 10cm away.

8 Contactless payment in transport: how to use

Xiaomi smartphones support subway, bus and train fares via NFC, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, this works through the Troika and Podoprodnik systems, in other regions through local transport cards.

1. Install the app: Moscow Metro Moscow, St. Petersburg Podravil. In other cities, check the name of the app on the transport operator's website.
2. Link the card: in the application, select the option "Pay by phone" and follow the instructions, you will need to link a bank card or replenish your transport wallet.
3. Activate Transport Mode: In the NFC settings, turn on Transport Mode (called Card Emulation in MIUI) to speed up the card reading with the turnstile.
4. Try payment: bring the top of the phone to the reader at a distance of 2-3 cm The screen should be unlocked (on some models, double pressing the power button is enough).

Important: In transport, NFC should be Card Emulation, not P2P, if payment does not pass:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📱 Make sure that the correct map is selected in the transport application (some services allow you to link several transport cards).
• 💳 Check the balance of the transport card – perhaps not enough funds for travel.

In Moscow and the region since 2023, the system "Smart card" is running, which allows you to pay for travel directly by bank card through Google Pay or Mi Pay without linking the transport application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)