How to set up NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9: a step-by-step guide

Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for calls, turning into universal tools for everyday life, where the Internet is used. NFC-The module plays the role of a digital key. Owners of the popular budget Xiaomi Redmi 9 often wonder whether to activate this feature to use contactless payment or instant data transfer. However, the configuration process may have its own characteristics depending on the regional version of the firmware and the device model.

In this article, we will take a look at all the steps in activating short-range contactless technology, from finding a switch in the menu to fine-tuning security. You will learn why the feature can be hidden, how to properly position the phone at the terminal and what system limitations exist for this model.

Before you start making changes to your system, you need to make sure your device is physically tagged. While the Xiaomi brand is actively adopting this technology, some hardware modifications may differ. Checking for a chip is the first and most important step that will save you time and nerves in the future.

Verification of hardware support and availability of module

The first thing to do is to determine whether your particular instance of Redmi 9 has the right chip, because it comes in different versions for different markets, and the presence of a chip is not a problem. NFC-If you bought the device officially in a region where this technology is standardized, most likely the module is present.

There are several ways to check for equipment without disassembling the case, the easiest way is to visually inspect the back cover or box, where the NFC logo is often present. However, the absence of labeling does not always mean the lack of function, as manufacturers sometimes save on printing logos in the budget segment.

A more reliable way is to use diagnostic software, which means you can use the built-in engineering menu or install a specialized application from the Google Play Store, which will give you an accurate answer from the system about the status of the hardware module.

💡

Use the NFC Check app or similar app to instantly show if the system sees the chip, even if the switch is hidden in the settings.

For a deep check, you can use the engineering menu code that gives you access to component testing. Type the following command in the dialer:

##6484##

Once you enter the code, the CIT (Customer Interface Test) menu will open. In the component list, find the NFC and run the test. If the system issues an error or the items are not listed, then there is probably no physical module in your device.

Basic activation of the function in the settings menu

If the hardware is confirmed, you can move to software activation. In the MIUI shell on which Redmi 9 is based, wireless interface management is made into a separate section. The standard activation path usually does not cause difficulties for users familiar with Android.

Open the main menu and go to the settings section, and you need to find the connection section, and depending on the firmware version, it can be called Connection and Sharing or Additional Features, and that's where the main switch is.

Once the slider is enabled, the system will start searching for available devices and tags. Please note that upon activation, a request may appear to confirm the use of Google Pay or a similar service.

In some cases, the switch may be inactive (shadowed), indicating a conflict with other modes of operation, for example, the on flight mode.

Contactless payment settings and security

The main reason why users want to set up NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is the ability to pay for purchases with a single touch, you need to link a bank card in the appropriate application, in global versions it is Google Pay, in Chinese – Mi Pay or AliPay.

The process of linking a card requires attention to security details, and the system will require proof of identity through a fingerprint scanner or a pattern lock, which is a critical step, since this data will be used to authorize transactions in the store terminal.

⚠️ Warning: Never install apps to emulate cards from unverified sources.Using modified versions of payment systems may result in your bank accounts being blocked.

Once you add the card, you need to set it by default. In the NFC settings, select Pay by default and specify the application you want. It is also recommended to set the unlock rule: to make a payment, the smartphone screen must be unlocked, which protects the means when the device is stolen.

It is important to understand the difference between tokenization and transferring the real card number: when paying through a smartphone, the terminal receives a one-time virtual code, which makes the process much safer than using a plastic card, and even if the data is intercepted, it is useless for fraudsters.

Data transfer and tagging

Short-range technology is used not only for finance, but also for fast data exchange. Android Beam (or its modern counterparts) allows you to transfer contacts, links to sites and photos between devices with a simple touch.

To transfer the file, make sure that NFC is enabled on both devices. Unlock the screens and hold the smartphones back to each other. When you see the device on the screen, a notification will appear. Tap the screen to start transfer.

Redmi 9 can also read information from passive tags that can be used to automate, such as touching a tag on a desktop that can put a phone in silent mode or trigger a navigator, and you'll need third-party apps like NFC Tools to record these scenarios.

The data transfer speed over NFC is quite low, so for large files (photos, videos), the system will automatically suggest switching to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct. This is a hybrid approach that provides easy connection initiation and high transfer speed.

Solutions and conflicts

Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter situations where a function stops working or is not running smoothly, often with software conflicts or outdated security certificates, and the first step should always be to restart the device.

If you can't see the module after you restart, check for system updates. The manufacturer regularly releases patches that fix wireless interface errors. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and check for a new version of MIUI.

In some cases, resetting your network settings helps, and this action will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but will return all Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other options. NFC To the factory values. To the reset: Settings → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.

Using NFC in Xiaomi’s Smart Home

Xiaomi ecosystem offers unique opportunities for smart home owners. NFC-tags embedded in some devices (such as lamps or routers) can instantly connect new gadgets to the network without entering a password.

Just bring Redmi 9 to your new smart home device, and Mi Home automatically prompts you to add it to the list, which makes it much easier to scale your home automation system, and it works even if your smartphone is locked, provided you adjust the appropriate permissions.

You can also create your own scripts. Buy programmable scripts. NFC-You can put tags in different rooms, and by touching the tag at the entrance, the phone can turn on the lights, Wi-Fi, and start a playlist, and it turns the smartphone into a powerful reality control remote.

⚠️ Note: When programming smart home tags, make sure they are not placed near sources of strong magnetic fields, otherwise reading will be unstable.

Complex scenarios may require activation of additional permissions in the special features menu, and the system must have the right over other windows to display script launch notifications even from a locked state.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

💡

NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a convenient tool for payment and automation, but its functionality depends on the presence of a chip in a particular version of the device and regional software settings.