How to Enable and Configure NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T: From Payments to Smart Labels

Why you need NFC in Redmi Note 10T and what it can do

The NFC (Near Field Communication) module in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T is not just a tick-tick, but a full-fledged contactless tool, which turns the phone into a bank card, a door key, a quick file transfer tool, or even a smart home remote control, but many owners do not even know about the chip’s capabilities because the default feature is disabled.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to use NFC on the Redmi Note 10T, from setting up Google Pay and Mi Pay to working with tags to automate tasks. We will focus on the nuances of MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, since menu layout and options available may differ, and we will also find out why NFC sometimes does not work, and how to fix it without contacting the service.

Spoiler: If you think NFC is just for paying for purchases, you're missing 80 percent of its capabilities, followed by step-by-step instructions with pictures (analogues of screenshots), compatibility tables, and life hacks for power users.

Check for NFC in your Redmi Note 10T

Before you set up, make sure your smartphone is equipped with an NFC module at all. In the Redmi Note 10 lineup, not all models support this technology. For example, the Redmi Note 10T 5G (model number M21061119BI) has a chip, and the base version of the Redmi Note 10 does not.

How to check:

• 📱 Model number: Go to Settings → The phone. → A model, if you see it. M21061119BI or M21061119BG (global), NFC eat.
• 🔍 Box/documentation: There must be an item on the sticker or specification «NFC: Yes».
• 🛠️ Diagnostics: Enter the code ##4636## in your phone number dialer, select Phone Information and find the line NFC.

If NFC is not available, further adjustment is pointless, in which case consider the alternatives:

• 💳 For payments: use QR-codes (SberPay, Tinkoff, AliPay).
• 📤 For file transfer: Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth 5.0 (in Redmi Note) 10T maintained).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware from third-party developers (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may disable NFC Even if it's physically present, you need to flash the original software. MIUI.

NFC Activation: Step-by-step instructions

You can turn on NFC on the Redmi Note 10T in two ways: through the notification bar or the settings menu. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Quickly turn on through the curtain

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Swipe down again to open the full panel.
3. Find the badge. NFC (If you don't have one, press your pencil (✏️) in the upper right corner and add it manually.
4. Tap the icon to activate (it will turn blue).

Method 2: Through system settings

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing.
2. Select NFC (in some versions of MIUI 14, it may be called Contactless Payments).
3. Move the slider to the on position.
4. Optionally, activate Android Beam (for data transfer) and HCE-service (for banking applications).

After activation, check the performance:

• 📱 Bring the phone to another device with NFC (You have to hear a beep or you have to have vibrations.
• 🔄 If there is no reaction, restart your smartphone – sometimes the module is not initialized the first time.

Configuring contactless payments

The main use of NFC is payment without a card. The Redmi Note 10T supports two main services: Google Pay and Mi Pay (for China).

Google Pay (for international maps)

1. Download Google Pay from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and press Start.
3. Add a bank card: take a picture of it or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.
5. Install Google Pay as the default payment app: Settings → Apps → By default → Payment.

Mi Pay (for Chinese banks)

If you use UnionPay cards or local banks (such as ICBC), install Mi Pay:

1. Download Mi Pay (not available in all regions).
2. Register with your phone number or Mi Account.
3. Link the card and confirm it via SMS.
4. In NFC settings, select Mi Pay as your primary payment service.

⚠️ Note: If after linking the card payments do not pass, check: 🔋 Battery level (below 5% NFC can be automatically switched off). 📶 Internet availability (first authorization requires a connection). 🛡️ Banking settings (some block the bank) NFC new devices).

💡

To speed up payment, add the Google Pay shortcut to the home screen. To do this, press the free space on your desktop → “Widgets” → find “Google Pay” and drag it.

Transfer of data and files over NFC

NFC allows you to share contacts, photos and links between devices without the Internet. This uses Android Beam technology (in new versions of Android it is integrated into the standard functionality).

How to transfer a file

1. Turn on NFC on both devices.
2. Open the file (photo, contact or page in the browser) you want to send.
3. Combine the back panels of the phones (the NFC antenna is located at the top of the Redmi Note 10T).
4. Wait for the beep and confirm the transmission on the screen.

Limitations:

• 📁 You can only transfer one file at a time (maximum) ~1 MBB).
• 📱 Both devices must support Android Beam (on iPhone, it doesn’t work).
• 🔋 Transfer speeds up to 424 Kbps (slower than Bluetooth).

Alternatives for Large Files

If you need to send a video or archive, use:

• 🌐 Wi-Fi Direct: Up to 250 Mbps but requires a connection.
• 🔗 Nearby Share (built into Android): automatically selects the best protocol (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/NFC).
• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Telegram (no limit for files up to 2 GB).

Work with NFC-tagging and automation

One of the most advanced applications of NFC is tag interaction, which is a little chip that can be programmed to do things when you touch a phone.

• 🔑 Smart home: turn on the lights, start a robot vacuum cleaner.
• 🚗 Car: activation of Bluetooth, launch of the navigator.
• 🎵 Multimedia: launch of Spotify playlist, switch to silent mode.

What labels to buy

For Redmi Note 10T, the NTAG213/215/216 standard is suitable.

How to program a tag

To set up, use the applications:

• 📲 NFC Tools (Simple Interface, Suitable for Beginners).
• 🛠️ Trigger (Advanced Automation).
• 🏠 Mi Home (for integration with Xiaomi devices).

Example of settings through NFC Tools:

1. Open the application and select Record.
2. Click Add a post and select an action (such as Open URL).
3. Enter the site address (e.g. https://mi.com).
4. Hold the phone to the tag and wait for the confirmation of the record.

⚠️ Note: Tags can be overwritten a limited number of times (usually ~100,000 cycles. Don't use them to store critical data (passwords, keys) - prefer encrypted solutions.

Problem Solving: NFC is Not Working

If NFC is not enabled or does not recognize devices, check the following points:

Frequent causes and ways of correction

Resetting NFC settings

If nothing helps, do the reset:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find it. NFC-service and press Warehouse.
3. Choose Clear the cache and Reset the settings.
4. Reboot the phone.

💡

If NFC stopped working after the MIUI update, rolling back on the previous firmware version often resolves the problem.Use the official Mi Flash Tool for flashing.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions