Contactless payment with Xiaomi smartphone has become an integral part of everyday life โ just attach the device to the terminal, and the purchase is paid in seconds. But before the first use requires the right setup: from activating the NFC module to linking bank cards. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to set up payment on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, including the features of working with Mi Pay, Google Pay and SberPay.
Itโs important to understand that not all models support contactless payments, for example, low-end devices without an NFC chip (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) are not physically capable of working with payment systems, and weโll detail how to check your deviceโs compatibility and what alternatives exist for non-NFC phones.
This article is relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, and takes into account the latest payment service updates in 2026. If you encounter setup errors, you will find a section at the end of this article that addresses the most common problems.
1. Check NFC support on your Xiaomi
Before you set up a payment, make sure your smartphone is equipped with an NFC module. Xiaomi is implementing this technology in the mid-range and premium segment, but some budget devices do without it.
List of popular Xiaomi models with NFC support (2020-2026):
- ๐ฑ Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra, 14/14 Pro
- ๐ฑ Redmi Note 11 Pro+/12 Pro+/13 Pro+
- ๐ฑ POCO F4/F5/F6 Pro, X5 Pro
- ๐ฑ Mi 11/11T/11 Lite 5G NE
To check for NFC on your device:
- Open Settings โ Connections and Sharing โ NFC.
- If the partition is missing, your phone doesnโt support the technology.
- For an accurate check, enter the โNFCโ request in the settings search.
โ ๏ธ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro for Indian market) have a chip NFC It can be turned off at the firmware level, and then only the flashing to the global version will help. MIUI.
Activation of the NFC module and preparation for setting up
If your smartphone supports NFC, the next step is to activate the module and set up the basic settings. By default, the feature can be turned off to save battery life.
How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi:
- Go to Settings โ Connections and Sharing โ NFC.
- Activate the NFC switch.
- Enable the option of โHCE Wallet Contactless Paymentsโ on some firmware.
- Choose your preferred payment service (e.g. Mi Pay or Google Pay).
After activation, it is recommended to perform a test of the module.
- ๐ Bring the phone to another device with it on NFC (For example, another smartphone or terminal).
- ๐ถ There must be an audible signal or a notification of the device detection.
- ๐ If there is no reaction, check if the case is blocking the signal (metal covers can be shielded). NFC).
โ๏ธ Preparation for payment setting
3. Payment settings via Mi Pay (official decision of Xiaomi)
Mi Pay is Xiaomiโs own payment system integrated into the MIUI ecosystem, which supports cards from Russian and international banks, and offers cashback for purchases, with deep optimization for Xiaomi phones, which ensures stable operation.
Step-by-step instructions for setting up Mi Pay:
- Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download from Google Play or App Gallery).
- Sign in with your Xiaomi account (required!).
- Click Add Card and scan it with the camera or enter data manually.
- Confirm the link via SMS from the bank.
- Install Mi Pay as the default payment application in the NFC settings.
Features of Mi Pay:
- ๐ณ Supports Visa, Mastercard, MIR, and transport cards (for example, Troika in Moscow).
- ๐ Card data is stored in a secure element (eSE), which is safer than in the cloud.
- ๐ It works even without an internet connection (offline payments).
โ ๏ธ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For the European market, Mi Pay may not be on the list of available services. In this case, use Google Pay or SberPay.
What if the bank does not support Mi Pay?
4. Alternative ways: Google Pay and SberPay
If Mi Pay isnโt suitable for some reason, alternative services can be used.Google Pay and SberPay also support contactless payments on Xiaomi, but have their own nuances.
Comparison of payment services for Xiaomi:
| Service | Supported banks | Requirements | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Pay | Most Russian and international banks | Xiaomi account, NFC | Cashback, offline payments |
| Google Pay | Banks with support for tokenization (Sber, Tinkoff, Alpha, etc.) | Services Google, NFC | It works on all Android devices, but requires the internet for the first setup. |
| SberPay | Only Sberbank cards | Sberbank Online, NFC app | Integration with โThank Youโ bonuses |
Instructions for setting up Google Pay:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Click on โAdd Cardโ and follow the bankโs instructions.
- In NFC settings, select Google Pay as your primary service.
For SberPay:
- Open the Sberbank Online application.
- Go to the section "Paymentsยป โ ยซSberPayยป.
- Activate the function and confirm via SMS.
- Set up SberPay as the default payment application.
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If you have multiple credit cards, add them to different services (for example, the main card in Mi Pay, and the spare card in Google Pay), which will allow you to quickly switch between them when paying.
5.NFC-free payment: alternative methods for Xiaomi
What if your Xiaomi doesnโt support NFC, but you want to pay for your purchases with your phone? there are a few workarounds available, although theyโre less convenient than contactless payments.
Payment methods without NFC:
- ๐ป QR-codes: Many stores support payment through scanning QR (For example, Sberbank Online, Tinkoff).
- ๐ฑ Mobile banking: Bank applications often allow you to generate one-time codes for payment.
- ๐ External devices: Can be connected NFC-mark USB-C or use a smart watch with NFC (For example, Xiaomi Watch S3).
Example of setting up payment via QR in Sberbank Online:
- Open the app and select a map.
- Click on "Pay by QR."
- Point the camera at the terminal code.
- Confirm payment.
For the use of external NFC-marker:
- ๐ Buy a compatible label (for example, NFC Tag Type 4).
- ๐ฒ Program it through an app like this. NFC Tools.
- ๐ Attach a bank card (not all banks support this method).
โ ๏ธ Attention: Payment through QR-codes require an internet connection and take longer than NFC. Not all terminals support this method, check with the seller.
6. Solving common problems
When setting up a Xiaomi phone, users often encounter errors, and we have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them.
Typical errors and their elimination:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is not recognized by the terminal. | NFC disabled or incorrect service selected | Check the NFC settings and restart your phone |
| The error "Card is not supported" | The bank does not work with the selected service | Try another payment service (e.g. Google Pay instead of Mi Pay) |
| Internet connection required | First setup or update of the service | Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet |
| Payments are made but no cashback is charged. | Inactive promotion or incorrect card binding | Check the cashback conditions in the Mi Pay app |
Additional advice:
- ๐ If payment does not pass, restart the phone and terminal.
- ๐ถ Make sure that there are enough funds in the account and the card is not blocked.
- ๐ ๏ธ Update the firmware MIUI Payment applications up to the latest versions.
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If after all the manipulations, the payment does not work, contact the bankโs support โ the problem may be on their side (for example, inactive card tokenization).
7.Security of contactless payments on Xiaomi
Contactless payments are convenient, but many users are worried about security, and in fact, paying with a phone is often safer than paying with a physical card, thanks to layered security.
How Xiaomi protects payments:
- ๐ Tokenization: instead of card data, a unique token is transferred, useless for fraudsters.
- ๐ Biometrics: Fingerprint or face confirmation (configured in Settings) โ Passwords and security).
- ๐ก๏ธ Secure Element (eSE): Card data is stored in a separate chip isolated from the main system.
Recommendations for improving safety:
- ๐ Set the screen lock (PIN, graphical key).
- ๐ต Turn it off. NFC, When not used (saves charge and reduces the risk of accidental payments).
- ๐ Check your mobile bankโs transaction history regularly.
Important: On Xiaomi phones with an unlocked bootloader, payment services may be unable to work due to a security breach. If you unlock the custom firmware bootloader, return the official one. MIUI, restore functionality NFC-payment.