How to set up NFC on Xiaomi Mi 9 SE: a full guide

Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for calls, becoming universal tools for solving everyday tasks, and Xiaomi Mi 9 SE is no exception. Owners of this compact flagship are often interested in the possibility of contactless payment, since the presence of the NFC module allows you to use the phone as a bank card or travel card. However, just having a chip in the hardware-component does not guarantee instant operation of all functions without the correct software configuration.

The process of activating and configuring Near Field Communication technology on Xiaomi devices running MIUI shells has its own unique features that distinguish them from stock Android. Users need to understand the difference between basic file transfer and secure elements for payments to avoid confusion at the first launch. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances associated with the inclusion, validation and optimization of the wireless communication module on the Xiaomi Mi 9 SE model.

Incorrectly prioritizing payment applications or ignoring security updates can lead to the terminal in the store simply not counting data from your device. We will look at not only standard on-board methods, but also ways to solve common problems when the feature seems to be active but has no practical application.

Verification of hardware compatibility and availability of the module

Before you get into software settings, it’s critical to make sure that you have the right hardware inside your smartphone. The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE was originally designed as a top-middle device, so engineers have equipped it with a full-fledged chip for near-to-no contact communication. However, there are many clones and refurbished devices on the market where functionality can be cut down by software methods or physically absent.

For initial diagnosis, you don't have to open the case or use complex diagnostic software, you just need to use the built-in tools. Go to the settings menu and notice the connection section where wireless interface switches usually reside. If you don't see a point associated with NFC or Android Beam, this may indicate a regional version of the firmware or a hardware lack of the module.

⚠️ Note: If there is no switch in the settings menu, but the specifications on the module box state, try resetting the network settings or checking for system updates, as sometimes drivers may conflict after a failed update.

There's also a method of checking through an engineering menu or a special application from the Play Market store that reads hardware composition reports. CPU-Z or Device Info HW, provide comprehensive information on whether the operating system sees the corresponding controller. NFC-The controller in the system report clearly states that software activation is impossible without replacing components.

Basic activation of the function in the MIUI system

The standard way to turn on a wireless interface on the MIUI shell is simple enough, but it requires careful consideration when choosing security settings. Once you have a module, you need to go to the main settings menu and find the section responsible for connections and general functions. Depending on the firmware version (Global, China or Russian), this item may be called differently, but the logic of the arrangement of the elements remains similar.

Find Connection and Sharing, or go straight to Wireless, where the main switchboard runs the chip drivers and makes the device visible to external readers, and once the slider is turned on, the system can request permission to use geolocation, as modern standards require this for some environment scanning functions.

The important thing is to choose the default application for processing transactions if the device has multiple payment systems installed. In the settings, the Security Item or Security Item Location, where you need to select HCE Wallet, which parameter determines which software module will take priority when you bring the phone to the payment terminal.

• 📱 Open Settings and go to Connections and Sharing.
• 🔘 Find a point. NFC Activate the switch to the "On" position".
• 💳 In the "Security Element" section, select the option HCE Wallet for working with cloud payment systems.
• 🔒 When requesting permissions, confirm access to the geo-position for the correct operation of transport maps.

After performing these actions, the notification curtain should appear in the appropriate icon that signals the module’s readiness to work, and now the smartphone is able to interact with tags, readers and other devices that support this communication standard.

Google Pay and Alternative Payment Systems

The main reason users want to set up this module is the ability to contactless payment in stores. Services like Google Pay (or its counterparts like Wallet from third-party developers) require a number of security conditions that are checked every time an application is launched. Android checks the integrity of the bootloader and the lack of root rights, without which the transaction will be blocked by the bank.

The process of adding a card begins with launching the payment system application and following the instructions on the screen. You will need to take a picture of the card or enter data manually, and then go through the verification procedure via SMS or a bank call. Once you add the card successfully, it becomes available for payment, but for stable operation it is recommended to install it as the main one in the settings of the communication module itself.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware or have obtained root rights, standard payment systems may not work without additional adjustments to hide modifications through Magisk Hide or similar modules.

In some cases, especially when using Chinese firmware, standard Google Pay may not correctly identify the region or require additional permissions. In such situations, cleaning the cache of the Google Play Services app and re-associating the map helps. It is also worth making sure that the date and time settings are automatically synchronized, since desynchronization of hours is a common cause of security certificate errors.

The way to reset payment settings:


Settings → Applications → All Apps → Google Pay → Storage → Clear Data

Remember that to make a purchase, the smartphone screen must be unlocked and the device itself turned on. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi does not always require fingerprint unlocking directly at the time of payment if the device is already in an active session, but security policies can change depending on the amount of the transaction.

Using Android Beam to Transfer Data

Although the era of file transfer over NFC is gradually fading into the past, giving way to faster protocols, the Android Beam feature is still present in the system and can be useful for fast communication of contacts or links. The principle of operation is that NFC is used only for initial pairing of devices, after which data is transmitted over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. On Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, this process is optimized and works quickly enough for small amounts of information.

To transmit data, you need both devices to have Bluetooth enabled and detect mode activated. When you bring the backs of your smartphones to each other, you hear a characteristic sound, and the screen will prompt you to send content. If the transfer does not begin, check if the flight mode is on, which blocks all wireless interfaces.

• 📲 Make sure that both devices have Bluetooth enabled and the screen unlocked.
• 📑 Open the content for transfer (photo, contact, page in the browser).
• 🤝 Then, put the devices on the back of each other. 1-2 seconds.
• ✅ Click "Tap to Transfer" when the corresponding notification appears.

It’s worth noting that the speed of transferring large files through this method leaves much to be desired, so for high-resolution photos or videos, it’s better to use the built-in Mi Drop feature (now ShareMe), which also uses NFC for fast pairing, but transmits data over Wi-Fi.

Work with transport maps and tags

One of the most useful features for residents of large cities is the ability to emulate transport cards directly on a smartphone. Xiaomi Mi 9 SE supports virtual maps of transport systems, however, the list of supported regions and operators may be limited depending on the installed version of the firmware and the region of the Mi Account. In global versions of the software, support for transport cards is often implemented through third-party applications or Google Wallet.

To use the phone as a pass, you need to download the application of the transport operator or aggregator that supports HCE technology. After adding the card to the application and paying for it, the smartphone will emulate the physical card when you bring it to the turnstile. It is important to keep the phone in the same position in which you normally attach a plastic card, usually the top of the back panel.

Difficulties can arise when trying to copy access cards to the office or intercom, as they often use frequencies or encryption protocols that are not supported by standard civilian access cards. NFC-In addition, many security systems specifically block virtual identifiers, requiring a physical chip with a unique identity. ID, which cannot be changed on the phone.

Diagnostics and solution of common problems

Even with the right setup, users may encounter situations where the terminal in the store does not respond to the phone or the reading occurs ten times. The first thing to do is to eliminate mechanical factors: thick cases, metal plates for magnetic holders in the car or cards lying in the case with the phone can shield the signal or cause interference.

If the problem is software-based, try restarting your device. This trivial action often resolves issues with the got stuck drivers or Google Play Services that tokenize payment data, and it’s also worth checking if your smartphone is in power-saving mode, which can limit the background activity of the necessary services.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated in the camera area when you try to turn on NFC, Stop using the module immediately and contact the service center, as this may indicate a short circuit of the antenna circuit.

If previously added cards are no longer working, remove them from the app and add them again. Sometimes security tokens have a limited lifespan or are updated by the bank's server, requiring re-authorization of the device. Also make sure that the system time and date are correctly set, since security certificates are sensitive to time stamps.

• 🔄 Perform a full smartphone reboot to reset services.
• 📵 Remove the protective case and remove foreign metal objects.
• 🗑️ Remove and add the payment card again in the bank application.
• 📅 Check the relevance of the date and time in the system settings.

If neither method works, the problem may be the hardware, such as a detached antenna module, which is often attached to the lid or back, requiring disassembly and soldering or replacement of the antenna plume by a skilled craftsman.

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To increase the charge when the battery is discharged, always carry a physical card with you, as the NFC module requires a minimum battery charge to generate a radio signal of sufficient power.

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The stable operation of contactless payment depends on the correctness of system time and the absence of root rights that block the operation of the secure element by 90%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)