How to set up contactless payment on Xiaomi Mi 9: from activation NFC map-bound

Xiaomi Mi 9 is one of the first flagships of the brand with full support for contactless payments through the Internet. NFC, But still, users have trouble configuring, and unlike later models like the Mi 10 or Redmi Note 11, there are nuances about firmware, regional restrictions, and bank compatibility. In this article, we will discuss all the ways of connecting – from standard Google Pay to Chinese Mi Pay, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors like “the device is not supported” or “the device is not supported «NFC-chips not found».

It is important to understand: Mi 9 was produced in several versions (global). MI 9, Chinese MI 9 SE, And there are special versions for operators, and the availability of features depends on it. For example, on Chinese firmware, Google Pay may not be available by default, and on global ones, Mi Pay. We will look at solutions for all cases, including manually installing services through the Internet. APK and region change in settings.

If you've tried to set up a payment and you've got a mistake, don't be quick to blame the phone. 60 percent of the time, the problem is that you don't set up the phone correctly. NFC, Next, you will find a checklist for diagnostics and step-by-step instructions with pictures (for key steps).

1. Checking hardware support NFC Xiaomi Mi 9

Before you set up payments, make sure your Mi 9 is equipped at all. NFC-Although all official versions of the phone must have one, there are cases of trimming features in some regional firmware (e.g. India or Latin America).

How to check:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Connected devices → NFC. If there is no item, your firmware hides the function.
• 📱 Install the app NFC Tools from Google Play. If it shows an error when it launches «NFC not detected – the chip is missing or disabled at the core level.
• 🛠️ For advanced: type the ##4636### command in the engineering menu and check the Hardware info section for a string. NFC.

Important: On the Chinese versions of Mi 9 (with firmware for the PRC market) NFC It can be blocked for payments outside China, the solution is to change the region or install global firmware.

Activation NFC and basic settings

If the chip is present, the next step is to activate it. - Mi 9 NFC You can use it not only for payments, but also for file transfer (Android Beam), tag readers and accessories.

Instructions for inclusion:

1. Open Settings → Connected Devices → NFC.
2. Activate the NFC slider (should turn blue).
3. Below, select Contactless Payments (if not, your firmware does not support payments).
4. In the Preferred Payment Method section, please specify Google Pay or Mi Pay (depending on availability).

After activation, check the operation of the chip:

• 💳 Bring your phone to the payment terminal (you don’t have to conduct a transaction – it’s enough to have an icon). NFC screen-on).
• 📲 Try counting any one. NFC-tag (for example, transport card or sticker).

⚠️ Attention: If, after activation, NFC The phone starts to warm up or run out quickly, a sign of conflict with another app (most often Xiaomi Pay or banking software). NFC In Settings → Annexes → Systemic → NFC.

3. Google Pay setup on Xiaomi Mi 9

Google Pay is the most versatile contactless payment method, but on the Mi 9 it often has problems with it due to:

• 🔄 Google Play Services (required 22.12)+).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions (e.g. if the phone is purchased in China).
• 🔒 Root rights or unlocked bootloader (Google blocks payments on compromised devices).

Step-by-step:

1. Update Google Play Services and Google Pay to Google Play.
2. Open Google Pay and sign in to your Google account.
3. Click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
4. Scan the card or enter the data manually, confirm via SMS from the bank.
5. After adding the map, go to Settings → Contactless payments and select Google Pay as the default method.

If the error “This device is not supported” appears during the card addition step, try:

• 🔧 Install Google Pay from APK (4.23+).
• 🌐 Change the region in Google settings to supported (e.g., USA or UK).
• 📱 Reset the settings NFC and Google Pay through Settings → Annexes.

4. Google Pay alternatives: Mi Pay and banking apps

If Google Pay is not available in your area, consider alternatives:

Mi Pay is a proprietary service from Xiaomi that supports cards of Chinese banks (UnionPay) and some international (for example, Mastercard in Europe).

1. Install Mi Pay from Huawei AppGallery (Google Play does not recognize it).
2. Sign up via your phone number or Xiaomi account.
3. Add a card (confirmation will be required through the SMS).
4. In the settings NFC Choose Mi Pay as the default payment method.

Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.) often have built-in support for contactless payments through the Internet. NFC. The advantage is that you don't have to set up individual services, like in the Sberbank app:

• 🏦 Go to the Maps section → Choose your card.
• 📱 Click Contactless Payments → Connect.
• 🔐 Confirm through SMS push-notification.

⚠️ Note: When using banking applications for payment, do not turn off the background activity of this application in the battery settings. Otherwise, payments will not work. → Battery → Battery optimization and add the app to exceptions.

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If you have a Mirror card (virtual) from Tinkoff or Alfa Bank, you can only add it to Google Pay via the web version of the service.

5. Optimization of battery and performance when used NFC

NFC-The chip consumes minimal energy, but some Mi 9 users complain of accelerated battery drain after contactless payments are activated:

• 🔄 Continuous scanning. NFC In the background (if Android Beam is enabled).
• 📱 Conflict with applications like Xiaomi Pay or Mi Fit.
• 🔋 Outdated firmware MIUI (In versions below 12.5, there were power management bugs NFC).

How to reduce battery consumption:

1. Turn off Android Beam in the settings NFC (If you do not use file transfer).
2. Add Google Pay and Mi Pay to the battery optimization exception list (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).
3. Update. MIUI Up to the latest stable version (preferably 12.5 or later).
4. If you don't use it. NFC permanently, turn it off manually through the notification panel.

To check the actual battery consumption:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Battery → Battery utilization.
• 🔍 Find it on the list. NFC Google Play Services.
• 📉 If the expense exceeds 3-5% There is a problem in the day (see above).

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NFC It doesn't actually burn the battery, and the main expense comes from the background processes of Google Pay or Mi Pay, which are constantly checking card token updates.

6. Solving common problems

Even after setting it up correctly, Mi 9 users are faced with errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The terminal doesn't recognize the phone when you pay.

• 📵 Make sure your phone screen is on (some terminals require unlocking).
• 🔄 Restart the phone and terminal.
• 📍 Bring the phone to the top of the terminal (antenna) NFC The Mi 9 is located next to the camera).

Problem 2: Google Pay says “Can’t add a card.”

• 🔧 Check if your bank supports Google Pay (list: official page).
• 📱 Remove and reinstall Google Pay.
• 🌍 Change your Google account to the United States/UK (even if you are not in those countries).

Problem 3: After the update MIUI NFC quit.

• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 📲 Install a manual firmware through MIUI bootloader (select the version for your region).

Problem 4: Mi Pay doesn't see the card.

• 🔍 Make sure your card is supported by Mi Pay (list: official website).
• 📱 Update Mi Pay to the latest version via APK.
• 🌐 Change your phone region to China in Settings → Additionally. → Region (resetting will be required).

7.Security of contactless payments on Xiaomi Mi 9

Contactless payments through NFC It is considered safe, but there are nuances to consider on the Mi 9:

Risk 1: Data leakage when you lose your phone.

• 🔒 Set up a screen lock (print). + PIN-without unlocking payments through NFC impossible.
• 📱 Enable Remote Device Management in Google Settings (Settings) → Google → Security → Find the device).
• 🚫 In Google Pay, set up a limit on payments without confirmation (for example, only up to 1000). ₽).

Risk 2: Data interception through NFC.

• 🛡️ Disable Android Beam if you don’t use file transfer (this will reduce the risk of accidental data readouts).
• 🔍 Do not bring your phone to unknown persons. NFC-tags (may be phishing).
• 📵 Use the covers with NFC-locking (for example, with a metallized insert).

Risk 3: Payment fraud.

• 💳 Always check the amount on the terminal screen before you bring your phone.
• 📱 Set up payment notifications in the banking app.
• 🔄 If the terminal is suspicious (for example, asks you to bring your phone several times), cancel the operation.

⚠️ Note: On the Mi 9 with an unlocked bootloader or root rights, Google Pay can block payments due to a SafetyNet violation. Check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app. If the check is not passed, use Magisk Hide or return the stockware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contactless payment on Xiaomi Mi 9