How to set up contactless payment on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: NFC, Google Pay and alternatives

Can I pay with a Xiaomi Redmi 8A phone?

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 8A, The 2019 model is still a popular budget device, but many people are wondering if it supports contactless payments through the Internet. NFC? The answer is ambiguous. 8A chipless NFC, But that doesn't mean that the owners have to carry a bank card with them. There are ways around using external cards. NFC-Labels to Alternative Payment Services.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 Why at Redmi? 8A no NFC And can you add hardware?
• 💳 How to set up contactless payment via Google Pay (yes, it is possible!)
• 📱 Alternative ways to pay by phone: QR-codes, SberPay, Mir Pay
• ⚠️ Risks and limitations of external use NFC-adapter

If you're looking for a way to pay with a phone without a physical card, read on. We've compiled all the working methods, including some that few people know about.

Checking the availability of NFC in Xiaomi Redmi 8A: myths and reality

First thing to understand: Xiaomi Redmi 8A (model M1908C3IC) built-in NFC-It's confirmed:

• 📄 Official specifications on the Xiaomi website
• 🔧 Disassembly of the device (no antenna is available) NFC undercover)
• 🛠️ Tests via the Engineering Menu (#4636## → "NFC" missing)

However, you can find claims online that "NFC is hidden in firmware" or "activated after updating." That's a myth. NFC chip is a hardware component that can't be added software, but there are two options.

⚠️ Attention: External NFC-Adapters (in the form of stickers or cards) require constant power from the phone’s battery, which reduces battery life by 10-15%.

Method 1: Contactless Payment via Google Pay (without NFC)

You can use Google Pay without any problems. NFC. Many people think that this service works only through contactless data transfer, but in fact it supports payment for the service. QR-Here's how to set it up on Redmi. 8A:

1. Download Google Pay from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and click Start → select Add a map.
3. Take a picture of your bank card or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.

You can now pay in stores where there are QR-payment-code:

• 🛒 Open Google Pay. → select the attached card.
• 📱 Click Pay. → QR-code.
• 🔍 Bring the phone camera to QR-checkout.
• ✅ Confirm payment with a fingerprint or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: Some banks (e.g. Tinkoff) may block payment by QR Google Pay, if you haven't used it before. Check the restrictions in your bank account.

Method 2: Use of external NFC-adapter

If you need a full contactless payment (attach your phone to the terminal), you can buy an external payment. NFC-The most popular options:

• 📇 NFC-sticker (sticked on the back cover, ~600 ₽)
• 💳 NFC-map (inserted into a cover, ~1000 ₽)
• 🔌 USB-NFC adapter (connected to the connector, ~1500 ₽)

Let's look at the settings by example. NFC-sticker:

1. Buy an EMV-enabled sticker (such as NXP NTAG 424).
2. Download the application for data recording: NFC Tools or TagWriter.
3. Link your bank card to the sticker via the bank application (for example, Sberbank Online) → "Add in Apple/Samsung Pay" → sticker).
4. Plug the sticker on the back cover of the phone (better closer to the top, where the signal antenna is stronger).

Important: When paying through external NFC-The terminal adapter may not show your phone name but the adapter model (e.g., the phone’s name, NXP This is normal and does not affect safety.

Method 3: Alternative payment systems (SberPay, Mir Pay, Samsung Pay)

If Google Pay is not the right service for you, consider other services:

To set up SberPay:

1. Open the Sberbank Online application.
2. Go to the Payments section → SberPay.
3. Add your card (if not already tied).
4. To pay in the store, select Pay by QR and scan the code on the terminal.

💡

If you have a World card, install the Mir Pay app – it often offers up to 5% cashback for a payment. QR-code.

Contactless Payments Security: 5 Rules for Redmi 8A

Even if you use the external NFC or QR-Payments, follow precautions:

• 🔒 Don't keep it. PIN-codes in phone notes or in a photo.
• 📵 Turn off your mobile bank when selling/transferring your phone.
• 🛡️ Use a pattern lock or fingerprint to confirm payments.
• 📧 Set up. SMS-notifications about write-offs in the personal account of the bank.
• 🔄 Check your transaction history for suspicious payments regularly.

Pay special attention to the external NFC-adapter:

• Buy only from official sellers (avoid AliExpress without reviews).
• Do not use an adapter to store passport or residence information.
• If you lose a sticker, immediately block the tied card through the bank.

💡

External NFC-Modules don't encrypt data as securely as those embedded in premium smartphones, and don't store critical card information on them (e.g., corporate cards).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting up contactless payment on Redmi 8A, users encounter typical errors:

If the terminal refuses to accept payment via an external NFC, try:

1. Apply the sticker to the terminal at a different angle.
2. Make sure that the card includes contactless payments (sometimes it is turned off in the bank by default).
3. Ask the cashier to reboot the terminal.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions