How to set up NFC on Xiaomi phone for payment: full guide 2026

Contactless payments via NFC on Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be exotic — today it is the standard method of payment in stores, transport and even online. However, many users still face problems when setting up: the module is not activated, the bank card is not tied, the terminal does not see the phone. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of setting up NFC on Xiaomi devices, from checking hardware support to solving typical errors.

It’s important to understand that the process depends not only on the smartphone model (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Poco X5 Pro), but also on the version of the MIUI firmware, regional restrictions, and the payment service you choose. We’ll look at setting up through Google Pay, Mi Pay (for China), SberPay and direct bank card binding. If you’ve never used contactless payments, don’t worry: our instructions will be suitable even for beginners.

Before you go to the setup, make sure that your Xiaomi supports NFC. Not all budget models (for example, Redmi 10A or Poco M4 Pro in some versions) are equipped with this module. You can check this in the characteristics of the device on the official website or through the settings menu – more about this in the next section.

1. Check NFC support on your Xiaomi

The first step is to make sure your Xiaomi smartphone supports NFC at all. Even if the specs indicate the presence of a module, sometimes it can be disabled at the software level (for example, in regional firmware for some countries).

Open the Settings menu → Connections and Sharing → NFC. If you don’t have one, try searching for the word “NFC” in your settings. If the system doesn’t find this section, chances are your model doesn’t support the technology. Alternatively, download the NFC Tools app from Google Play to show you if the module is available.

• 🔍 List of Xiaomi models with NFC (2020–2026):
• ✅ Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra, 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra
• ✅ Redmi Note 12 Pro+/11 Pro+/10 Pro (except for basic versions)
• ✅ Poco F5/F4 Pro, X5 Pro
• ❌ Redmi 10A, 9A, Poco M4 Pro (most regions)

If NFC is available but doesn’t work, it may be a firmware problem: For example, on Xiaomi with a global version of MIUI for Europe, the module may be blocked due to local laws (as is the case with the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G for some markets), in which case the firmware reflash to MIUI China or EEA (if you are in Europe) will help.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Poco) X3 Pro) NFC It can only work for reading tags, not for payments. Please check this information on the manufacturer's website or in the specifications of your modification.

2. Activation of NFC and selection of payment service

Once you've made sure that the NFC module is in place and enabled, it's time to choose a contactless payment service. Xiaomi users have a few options:

1. Google Pay is a universal solution for most bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Mir). It works on all smartphones with NFC and support for Google Mobile Services (GMS).
2. Mi Pay is a proprietary service from Xiaomi, available only on the firmware of MIUI China and requires a binding Chinese bank card (UnionPay).
3. SberPay/Tinkoff Pay are local alternatives for users of the respective banks, supported by Mir and some foreign cards.
4. Direct card binding – some banks (for example, VTB or Alfa-Bank) allow you to add a card directly to Google Pay without intermediaries.

For most users in Russia and the CIS, the best choice is Google Pay or SberPay. Consider setting up Google Pay, as this service supports the maximum number of banks.

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

To set up Google Pay on a Xiaomi smartphone, follow the following steps: Make sure you have the latest app and firmware update MIUI installed (version at least 12.5 for stable operation).

Install the latest version of Google Pay from Google Play

Update MIUI to the current version (Settings → About Phone → System Update)

Enable NFC in settings (Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC)

Add a fingerprint or PIN-unlock code (Settings) → Passwords and security)

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Step 1. Open the Google Pay app (if not, download from Google Play). Click Start and select Add Card. The system will prompt you to scan a physical card or enter data manually.

Step 2. Once you add the card, the bank will send an SMS with a confirmation code. Enter it into the app. If the SMS does not come, check if your Xiaomi is blocking short number messages (setting up in Settings → Apps → Permissions → SMS).

Step 3: When the card is added, activate NFC in the notification curtain or through settings. If you pay, just hold the unlocked phone to the terminal, the payment will go through automatically. If the terminal does not respond, try restarting the NFC or restarting the smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) Google Pay may not work due to the lack of certification of Google Mobile Services for contactless payments, in which case only the firmware reflashing to the global version will help. MIUI.

4. Set up SberPay and other local services

If you prefer SberPay or similar services from other banks, the setup process will be slightly different, with the main advantage of these solutions being support for Mir cards and sometimes faster payment processing speeds.

For SberPay:

1. Download the SberBank Online application and log in.
2. Go to the “SberPay” section and select a map to link to.
3. Confirm the operation via SMS or push notification.
4. Activate NFC on your phone and unlock the screen before paying.

For Tinkoff Pay:

• 📱 Open the Tinkoff app and go to Tinkoff Pay».
• 💳 Select a map and confirm the binding.
• 🔄 If payment does not pass, update the application and check the settings NFC.

Important: Some banks (like VTB or Alfa-Bank) require additional activation of contactless payments through their mobile applications, without which even a linked card in Google Pay will not work.

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If you use transportation frequently, add a transport card (such as Troika or Strelka) to a separate app, avoiding conflicts with Google Pay cards that may cause subway terminals to not read your phone.

5. NFC Optimization: Battery and Safety

Many Xiaomi users complain that NFC drains the battery quickly or is unstable.

• 🔋 Charge savings: Turn off NFC In the notification curtain, when you do not use payments, a constantly active module can consume up to 5-7% of the charge per day.
• 🛡️ Security: Set up screen locking via PIN Or a fingerprint, without that, payments through NFC It will be available even if the phone is stolen (before the first shutdown).
• 🔄 Resetting: If NFC slug, reset its settings in Settings → Annexes → Application management → NFC → Warehouse → Clear the data.

Another common problem is application conflict, for example, if you have both Google Pay and SberPay installed, the terminal can get confused about which card to read.

1. Open the NFC settings (Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC → More).
2. Select a priority payment app (like Google Pay).
3. Turn off auto-start for other payment services.

6. Solving typical errors in setting up

Even if you do everything according to the instructions, there may be errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, check to see if NFC is locked at the firmware level. For example, on some Xiaomis for the European market (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G EEA), the module can be software disabled due to local payment system laws, in which case only reflashing to MIUI Global or MIUI China (but note that the Chinese version does not support Google Pay).

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI China (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market) Google Pay is not working due to the lack of Google services. instead, Mi Pay is used, which requires a Chinese UnionPay bank card.

7. Alternative methods of contactless payment

If NFC doesn’t work on your Xiaomi or doesn’t work at all, there are alternative ways to make contactless payments:

• 💳 Banking applications with QR-Many banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) allow you to pay for purchases through QR-codes in their mobile applications. NFC, It only works where there is a scanner. QR (For example, in "Five" or "Magnet»).
• 📱 Apple Pay / Samsung Pay via emulation: Some Xiaomi models can install modified versions of these services, but this requires root rights and is unsafe.
• 🏦 Virtual Cards: Services like Revolut or Pay Wallet allow you to create virtual cards for payment via phone, but they do not support NFC-offline payments.

If you use transportation frequently, consider buying a smartwatch or a fitness bracelet with NFC (like the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 Pro or Amazfit GTR 4).They support transport cards and some banking services, which can be more convenient than setting up on a smartphone.

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If your Xiaomi is not supported NFC, but you need contactless payments, the best option is to use a banking application with QR-codes or purchase smart watches with NFC. It’s cheaper than buying a new smartphone for a single module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Xiaomi