How to set up NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: from activation to contactless payments

Why you need NFC in Redmi 9T and what it can do

The NFC (Near Field Communication) technology in Xiaomi Redmi 9T is often left untapped, with users either unaware of its capabilities or believing it is only for contactless payments, and the range of applications is actually broader, from fast file transfer to smart tag automation.

In this article, we will discuss how to correctly enable NFC on Redmi 9T, configure it for payment via Google Pay or Mi Pay, and use it for other useful functions. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with MIUI 12/13/14 - the interface and location of settings may vary depending on the firmware version.

If you’ve never used NFC or experienced setup errors (like your phone can’t see your bank card), here’s a solution, and for power users, we’ve prepared a section on the hidden capabilities of the Redmi 9T NFC chip, from emulating cards to creating automated scripts.

Check for NFC in your Redmi 9T

Before you set up, make sure your smartphone supports NFC at all. In the Xiaomi Redmi 9T (model M2010J19SG), the NFC chip is built into all versions, but in some regional versions it can be software-disabled. Here's how to check:

• 📱 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC. If there is no point, the chip is missing or disabled.
• 🔍 Through specifications: on the box or in the documentation to the phone should be indicated NFC (Sometimes they say, "Contactless payments support").
• 🛠️ Through test utilities: install the application NFC Google Play Tools to show if a chip is detected.

If NFC is not on the menu but you are sure the phone supports the technology, try upgrading to the latest version of MIUI. In rare cases, the feature is hidden due to localization errors.

⚠️ Attention: At Redmi 9T for the markets of India and some Asian countries NFC It can be disabled at the firmware level. Check the region of your device in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the region is not a global or EEA, You may need to re-flash.

Step-by-step: how to turn on NFC on Redmi 9T

NFC activation takes less than a minute, but there are a few nuances that are not covered in the official manuals.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (some versions of MIUI 14 refer to it as Wireless Networks).
3. Slip on NFC. If you don't have one, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner) and type "NFC."
4. Activate the NFC slider. Next to it, it says "On."
5. (Optional: Enable Android Beam (in) MIUI 14 may be called Data Transfer if you plan to share files.

After activation, the status bar (top bar) will show an NFC icon (stylized letter "N"). If it is not, restart the phone.

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Does the icon appear in the status bar?

Phone responds to touch NFC-tags?

Android Beam is enabled (if you need to transfer files)-->

If NFC is not turned on, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at levels below 5%, the chip can be turned off to save energy.
• 📦 Updates: in MIUI 12.5 were bugs with NFC — refresh MIUI 13/14.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some programs (e.g. Avast) are blocked NFC as a “potentially dangerous function".

Contactless payments via Google Pay and Mi Pay

The main application of NFC is to pay for purchases with a smartphone. Redmi 9T supports two services: Google Pay (for international cards) and Mi Pay (for Chinese banks).

1. Google Pay (recommended for Russia, Europe, USA)

Instructions for Visa/Mastercard/Mir cards:

1. Download Google Pay from the Play Market (unless set by default).
2. Open the app and click Start → Add a map.
3. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the addition via SMS from the bank.
5. Install Google Pay as the default payment app in Settings → Apps → By default → Payment.

2. Mi Pay (for Chinese banks)

If you use UnionPay cards or local Chinese banks:

1. Install Mi Pay from the Mi App Store (no one is available on Google Play).
2. Register with the phone number linked to the bank card.
3. Add the card manually (scanning is not supported).
4. Activate the option Quick Payments in the Mi Pay settings.

Important: Mi Pay requires a Chinese version of MIUI (China region), and it won't work on global firmware.

⚠️ Note: If the terminal does not withdraw money after adding a card to Google Pay, check: Is it enabled? NFC If the screen is unlocked at payment time, if the terminal supports contactless payments (should be a logo) PayPass/PayWave). Is the limit on contactless operations exceeded (usually) 1 000–5 000 ₽ once).

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If the terminal doesn’t recognize the phone, try bringing the Redmi 9T to the phone with the back of the phone – the NFC antenna is located at the top of the case next to the camera.

Transfer data and files via NFC (Android Beam)

With NFC, you can quickly share contacts, photos or links with other Android devices.

1. Enable NFC and Android Beam (see section above).
2. Open the file you want to send (for example, a photo in a gallery).
3. Bring Redmi 9T back to another smartphone (distance not more than 5 cm).
4. Wait for the sound signal or vibration – the inscription Touching for transmission will appear on the screen.
5. Slip it on the screen for confirmation.

Limitations:

• 📎 Maximum file size is 1 GB (in practice, it is better to transfer files up to 500 MB).
• 📱 Transfer speed is about 400 KB/s (slower than Bluetooth, but more convenient for small files).
• 🔒 Both devices must support Android Beam (on iPhone this feature does not work).

If the transmission does not begin:

• Check if Android Beam is enabled on both phones.
• Make sure the screen is unlocked.
• Try restarting NFC (turn off and on again).

Use of the NFC-tagging

One of the most useful features of NFC is to automate tasks with tags, for example, you can configure:

• 🚗 Driving mode: when you touch the tag in the car, Google Maps is turned on, Wi-Fi is turned off, Bluetooth is turned on.
• 🏠 Home Mode: Touching a tag at the door turns off mobile data, turns on Wi-Fi and triggers Mi Home.
• 🛌 Night mode: the label on the nightstand activates "Do not disturb" and reduces the brightness of the screen.

This will require:

• NFC-tags (you can buy on AliExpress or in electronics stores, are worth it) ~100 ₽ 5 grand).
• The application for recording actions is NFC Tools or Trigger.

Instructions for setting:

1. Install NFC Tools from Google Play.
2. Open the application and select Tasks → Add.
3. Set up the action (e.g. Wi-Fi → Enable).
4. Put a tag on the phone and write down the task.
5. Place the tag in a convenient place (such as on a key or table).

At Redmi. 9T There is a hidden function: if you write the command am start on the label -a android.settings.WIFI_SETTINGS, When you touch it will open the Wi-Fi settings directly, bypassing the main menu.

Problem Solving: NFC is not working or is not working

If the NFC on Redmi 9T refuses to turn on or is out of order, try the following solutions:

If nothing helps, reset your NFC settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find NFC in the list of system applications.
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the data.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: After resetting settings NFC All the contactless cards saved (transport, bank, pass cards) will be deleted.

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If NFC stopped working after the MIUI update, rolling back to the previous firmware version often resolves the problem.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions