The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a universal tool for solving household tasks, among which payment for purchases is one of the central places. NFC (Near Field Communication) technology allows you to transfer data over short distances, providing instant and secure payment in a single touch. Owners of Xiaomi devices often wonder how to activate this feature, especially given the peculiarities of payment systems in the current environment.
Configuring contactless payment on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices has its own nuances, depending on the region of use and version of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. If in global versions the process is often reduced to a simple activation of the Google Pay service or its analogues, then in Russian realities users have to resort to additional methods of setting up for full-fledged work.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical aspects of the communication module, how to add bank cards and discuss current methods of circumventing restrictions to make your phone again a full-fledged means of payment.
The principle of NFC and check the compatibility of the smartphone
Before you start setting up, it is important to understand that not all models of smartphones of the Chinese brand are equipped with the necessary module. NFC-A chip is a physical component that must be built into the device by the manufacturer. POCO M this module is often missing to reduce the final cost of the gadget.
There are a number of ways to check for a module without having to make a complicated diagnosis, and the easiest way is to look at a box from a device or a specification in an official store: having an NFC logo or saying "NFC" on the back cover (though it's less common now) is a direct indication, and you can also go into the settings and try to find the appropriate switch.
- 🔍 Open the settings and enter in the search bar "NFC" or “Contactless payment".
- 📱 Go to the Connections and Sharing menu and see if there is an active switchboard.
- 📡 Use the engineering menu by typing the code ##6484## in the call to go to the hardware tester.
- 📲 Install a third-party type application NFC Check, which will instantly detect the presence of a chip.
If you find a module, you need to make sure it works properly. Sometimes there's a software failure where the antenna doesn't respond, and then you can reboot the device or reset the network settings, and you also need to remember that the antenna is often located at the top of the housing, so you need to attach this area to the terminal.
⚠️ Note: Having the “Mi Pay” feature in the settings does not guarantee that the chip is physically present in your device, as the interface can be displayed on all firmware, but only work if there is iron.
Google Pay and Mi Pay in the global versions
For users whose devices work with international payment systems, the setup process is simplified and standardized by Google, the main tool here is Google Pay (or GPay), which acts as an intermediary between your bank card and the payment terminal, generating one-time tokens instead of real data.
The activation process begins with adding a card to your account, you will need a valid plastic or virtual card of the bank that supports tokenization, the application automatically reads the data through the camera or allows you to enter it manually, after which the bank will send the confirmation code via SMS or push notification.
An important step is to install the correct default app, and in Android, a separate system component is responsible for that, and if you have multiple payment apps installed, the system can request a choice every time you bring your phone to the terminal, which creates inconvenience.
- 💳 Open your phone’s settings and find the Connections and Sharing section.
- 📲 Choose the item Touch and pay or NFC.
- 🏦 In the “Payment by Default” list, select Google Pay or Mi Pay.
- ✅ Make sure the Payment with a single touch switch is activated. Once set up, it is recommended to make a test payment at any supermarket or cafe. The terminal should emit a characteristic beep, and a notification of a successful transaction will appear on the smartphone screen. If the terminal requires a PIN, enter the code from the card, not the pattern lock to unlock the screen. Features of payment in Russia: the current situation and restrictions The situation with contactless payment in the Russian Federation has changed dramatically, which directly affected the owners of Xiaomi smartphones. After the departure of international payment systems and the imposition of sanctions, the standard mechanism of Google Pay for cards of Russian banks was completely blocked. This restriction applies not only to phones, but also to the entire Android ecosystem: Trying to add a Visa or Mastercard card of a Russian bank to Google Wallet will lead to an error or request for a reissue card, which in this context will not solve the problem. The Mi Pay service, which was positioned as an alternative, also does not work with cards of Russian issuers directly. 2026-2026 Alternative to Google Pay ❌ Blocking the addition of Pay services of Mi Pay banks ❌ Not available for Russia Pay services of banks Samsung Pay ❌ Not working Removed from Galaxy Store Pay services of Bank Pay banks (Sber, Tinkoff, etc.) ✅ Actively updated Basic method The only working solution at the moment is the use of specialized applications from the banks themselves. The largest financial institutions have developed their own solutions that emulate the operation of the payment terminal using the same NFC-However, due to the limitations of the operating system, the process of setting them up requires additional steps. ⚠️ Please note: Do not try to install modified versions of Google Pay (GMS Core) from unverified sources, as this could result in your financial data being stolen or your Google account being blocked. In order to pay with a Xiaomi phone in Russia, you need to install the application of the specific bank that issued your card. The most common solutions are SberPey, Tinkoff Pei, World Pay and analogues from other banks. These applications use a system-based API emulator (HCE) for the transmission of payment data. The first step is to install the current version of the app, and since many of them are removed from the Google Play Market, download the installation files (APK) You can only use the official websites of banks, and after installation and authorization, you will be asked to add the card to the fast payment service. ☑️ Preparation for payment settings Check availability NFC:Install the Bank application: Log in to the personal account: Link the card in the section "Payment":Appoint the application by default: 0 / 1 The critical thing is to set the priority of the apps, and the Android system lets you choose which app to run when you bring your phone to the terminal, and if you have multiple banking apps installed, you have to choose one main application. Settings → Connections and sharing → NFC → Payment by default → [Select your bank also in some versions MIUI The application must be allowed access to NFC In the background, and turn off the energy savings for it so that the payment is without delay. If the terminal does not respond, try unlocking the screen before you take it to the reader. 💡Before going to the store, make sure to check if it works. NFC When the Internet is off, tokenization requires the Internet only when you add a card, but some banks require periodic synchronization. MIUI and access NFC-Shell module MIUI (HyperOS is known for its aggressive energy saving policy, which often blocks the background processes needed for stable operation. NFC-payment. If the phone falls asleep too quickly or the system forcibly closes the bank application, payment may not be made the first time, and to fix this problem, you need to manually configure autostart and work in the background for the payment application. This is done through the battery menu or by long-term tapping on the app icon, and ignoring this step is the most common reason why a "likely tuned" phone stops paying after a week of use. 🔋 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications. 🏦 Find your payment application (e.g. SberPey). ⚙️ Press Autostart and turn it on. 🛡️ In the Permits section, make sure that access to NFC and location permitted. 🔌 In the charge saving menu, select the option No restrictions. Another common problem is conflict with other applications that are also trying to use NFC, such as programs to read transport cards or access keys. In such cases, the system can request a choice of action each time you bring the phone. What to do if the NFC disappears after the update?Sometimes after the MIUI update, NFC settings are reset. Try to turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in About Phone), then in the advanced settings, find the "NFC" item and check if there is a restriction. Also helps reset NFC settings in the menu, there are other options for payment using the NFC, besides the traditional payment methods. For example, the technology allows you to pay for public transport if the Troika card or similar is supported by the bank application, and you can also exchange contacts and files, although this is less common. Card emulation (when the phone pretends to be a card) and payment QR-code. NFC-Payment is faster and does not require the opening of the application or the availability of the Internet at the time of purchase, while QR-The key difference between modern bank Pay services and the old Google Pay is that the card token is not stored in a secure Google element, but in a secure storage of the banking application itself, which requires its mandatory installation. If none of the software methods works, there is always the possibility of using physical media. Rings with NFC, The bracelets or just a plastic card in your case are a reliable backup, but the convenience of paying with your phone is that you always have your wallet with you. ⚠️ Warning: When selling or transferring a phone to a new owner, be sure to complete a full Wipe Data reset to remove the associated payment tokens and banking data from the device's memory (FAQ) Can I add a Belarusian or Kazakh bank card to Google Pay on Xiaomi? Yes, if the issuer bank supports Google Pay and is not under sanctions that block the service. To do this, Google account settings must specify the appropriate region, and the Google Pay app must be updated to the latest version.Why Xiaomi phone doesn't see the terminal, though NFC included? There may be several reasons: the default application for payment is incorrectly selected, the phone case is too thick or contains metal elements, or overheating protection, temporarily disabling the module, has worked. NFC. Also check if the battery is critically drained, is it safe to pay with your phone through bank apps? Yes, it's safe. It's not your card number that's being transferred, but a unique one-time token. Even if the data is intercepted, attackers will not be able to use it for other purchases, and it often requires biometrics or screen unlocking to confirm the payment. MIUI quit NFC? Try resetting the settings. NFC in the connection menu, clear the app cache "NFC-services" and reconfigure the application by default. In rare cases, resetting all network settings helps, but it will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords. Does the phone pay if the screen is broken or turned off? Payment is only possible if the screen is on and the phone is unlocked (pin code, fingerprint or FaceID is entered). This is a security measure. If the screen is broken, but the touchscreen responds in the unlock zone, payment can pass, but this depends on the degree of damage.