NFC and contactless payment setup on Xiaomi Redmi 9C

The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be just a phone, becoming a full-fledged digital wallet. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9C often wonder how to activate contactless payment so as not to carry plastic cards. NFC (Near Field Communication) technology allows you to transfer data over short distances, providing a safe and fast transaction with one touch. However, despite the presence of a module in the device, the setup process can have its own nuances, especially in the context of changing payment system rules.

The main challenge is not so much hardware, but software and regional constraints. If your Redmi 9C is released for the global market, there should be no problems, but the versions for China or special MIUI builds may require additional manipulation. It is important to understand that the function requires not only a chip, but also support from the bank and payment service. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to check the availability of the module, add a card to Google Wallet and what to do if payment does not pass.

Before you start setting up, make sure your device's operating system is updated to the latest available version. Older firmware versions may contain driver errors NFC-modules that are patched by developers in security patches, and it's worth checking if they're blocked. SIM-card or phone by operator, although this rarely affects the operation of the short-range chip, but may block some verification services.

Check the availability and operability of the NFC module

The first step is always to diagnose the hardware. Not all Redmi 9C modifications are equipped with an NFC module, even if they are externally identical. To make sure that there is a chip, you just need to look at the system settings or look (box) of the device where the corresponding logo is usually present. If there is no logo, it does not mean that there is no feature, but the probability of its absence is high in budget versions.

To programmatically check, go to the Settings menu and search for the keyword "NFC." If the module is present, the system will give you a point to manage wireless connections. In some versions of the MIUI shell, this switch is put in the notification curtain, which makes it easier to access. The absence of a point in the settings most often indicates the absence of a hardware component in this particular model.

⚠️ Note: If you have reflashed the phone from the Chinese version to the global, the module NFC This may not be correct, but you may need to flash the regional files or return the stock version.

An alternative way to check is to use specialized applications from the Play Store"NFC Check" or"NFC Tools can read the specifications of a chip and determine the standards it supports, which is especially useful if the system doesn't see the module by standard methods, although it should be physically. HCE (Host Card Emulation, required for emulation of bank cards.

Basic setting and inclusion of the function

Once the module is confirmed, you need to configure it correctly. Go to Connections and Sharing (or simply "Advanced" in older versions of MIUI). This is where the main switch for enabling the technology is located. Once activated, the system can suggest you select the default payment application - make sure that Google Pay or Google Wallet is selected.

The important parameter is the choice of the security element. NFC Find the Security Element and make sure that the option is selected. HCE Wallet. It's this mode that allows the smartphone to emulate a plastic card"SIM-Contactless payment through Google services will not work, as it requires emulation at the system level, not the operator.

For ease of use, it is recommended to add a quick-on notification widget to the curtain, which will allow the module to be activated only at the time of purchase, which saves battery power and improves data security. Although the module’s energy consumption in sleep is minimal, a complete shutdown eliminates any attempts to read the tags by attackers.

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Add the NFC switch to the fast-setting curtain: Clutch your finger on the NFC icon in the curtain and drag it to the active menu area.

Adding a bank card to Google Wallet

The card binding process is as automated as possible, but requires careful input. Open the Google Wallet app (formerly Google Pay) and click the Add Payment Tool button. The smartphone camera will try to automatically read the card number, but the holder’s data and expiration date will have to be entered manually or confirmed through the phone. SMS-bank-code.

The issuing bank will certainly carry out the verification procedure. SMS-If you don't pass this procedure, you'll be inactive for contactless payments, even if it's on the list. Some banks require additional activation of the service "Online payments" in the personal account of the client.

If you have multiple cards, you can assign one of them to the default card, so if you unlock your phone and you have NFC enabled, you can make the payment from that account, and you can change the card right on the payment screen, swipe left or right, which is convenient if you have cards from different payment systems or currencies.

Compatibility and status table of maps

When you add a card, the system assigns it a certain status, and understanding these statuses helps you quickly diagnose problems. Below is a table of the basic states of the payment means in the Xiaomi system.

It is worth noting that prepaid cards and some corporate cards may not be supported by the tokenization system, in which case the application will immediately give a message that it is impossible to add, which is a restriction on the part of payment systems, not a defect in your Redmi 9C.

Solving Common Payment Problems

It's not uncommon for the terminal to see the phone. Most often, the problem is the position of the device. The NFC module in Redmi 9C is located at the top of the case, closer to the camera. When paying, try to bring this particular corner of the smartphone to the terminal, rather than the middle or bottom. A thick case or metal plate on the back can also shield the signal.

Another common cause of failure is time desynchronization. For cryptographic security keys to work, the time on the phone must coincide with the network time. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Date and time and enable automatic determination. A difference of even a few minutes can lead to an error in authorization of the transaction.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom design themes, they may block system input windows. PIN-Return the standard theme if payments have stopped.

In rare cases, cleaning the Google Wallet app cache helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Google Wallet → Memory and select Clear Cache. Don’t confuse it with the “Erase Data” button, otherwise you’ll have to re-assign all cards. Also make sure that the NFC settings include Android Beam (although it’s outdated, in some versions of MIUI it affects the communication stack).

Alternative payment methods and Mi Pay

In addition to the standard Google Wallet, Xiaomi has Mi Pay, but its availability is severely limited geographically and by the list of supported banks. In most regions of the CIS and Europe, this service either does not work or has no partners.

For users whose banks do not support Google Pay, there are emulator apps like Curve or dedicated wallets from fintech companies, which issue virtual cards that can be linked to Google Wallet even if the main bank does not provide this, a workaround that requires registration with a third-party service and transfer of funds.

Also, do not forget the possibility of payment through QR-codes that many banking applications offer, although this is not NFC-Payment in a pure form, for Redmi 9C With a working camera, it's a complete alternative. QR-codes are built into the system camera and notification curtain, making the process fast.

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If Google Pay doesn’t work, try to delete and add the card again by removing it from the bank’s personal account in the Devices section.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)