The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a universal tool for financial management. For owners of budget but powerful devices of the Redmi line from Xiaomi, especially the Redmi 9 model, the issue of contactless payment remains one of the most pressing. Many users buy gadgets with support for NFC (Near Field Communication), hoping to immediately start paying with the phone in stores, but face unexpected difficulties during the initial setup.
The main difficulty is not the lack of a communication module, but the software limitations and specifics of the Android operating system in the shell of MIUI. The process of adding a credit card requires a series of actions, ranging from checking the equipment to fine-tuning security. It is important to understand that even the presence of a chip does not guarantee instant service, if certain conditions are not met by the bank or the operating system itself.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step, from diagnosing your device to solving common errors when linking Visa, Mastercard or Mir cards. We will look at how to properly configure Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay), what permissions to issue to the system and what to do if the terminal in the store refuses to read the signal. The key for owners of Redmi 9 is to check the regional version of the firmware, since global and Chinese builds may have different restrictions on the use of the NFC module.
Check the availability and operability of the NFC module
Before you start setting up payment systems, you need to make sure that your device is physically equipped with the necessary equipment. The Redmi 9 model was produced in various versions for different markets, and the presence of a short-range contactless chip depends on the specific version of the device. In some budget assemblies, the manufacturer could exclude this module to reduce the cost, so the visual presence of a logo on the case or box is not always a absolute guarantee.
For quick diagnosis, use the built-in system. Go to the settings menu and find the connection section. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but most often it is at Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC. If there is no such item on the menu at all, or it is hidden, chances are your smartphone is not equipped with the corresponding module, and you will not be able to activate it software.
If the menu item is present, try activating the function and bringing the phone to a working payment terminal or other device with technology support. When the active module, the device must emit a characteristic audible signal or vibrate to confirm the detection of an external field. You can also use third-party utilities from Google Play, which conducts deep diagnostics of the antenna and read the data about the chip.
⚠️ Attention: If you have turned on NFC, But the phone gets very hot in the camera area or it gets very low in standby mode, maybe the antenna is damaged or there is a software failure of the drivers, in which case further payment settings may not be safe.
Once you have a module, check which mode you choose in the settings. Payment must be marked with “Pay via Google” or “HCE Wallet”. If you choose SIM (SIM ToolKit) emulation or read/write mode, the terminals in the stores may not respond to payment attempts.
Preparing a Google account and installing apps
The foundation for contactless payments on Xiaomi devices is Google Pay (now integrated into Google Wallet). To work properly, your smartphone must be logged in to the Google account to which your payment details are linked. Make sure that the device has the same account you use in the Play Market app store.
Modern versions of Android require the Google Wallet app installed. On Redmi 9 smartphones with MIUI 12 or later, it is often preinstalled, but can be hidden or removed by the user. If the app is missing, download it exclusively from the official Google Play store, as third-party versions may not have the necessary security certificates.
It is also critical to check the security status of the device. The payment system will not work on phones with Root rights or an unlocked bootloader. If you have previously performed such manipulations, you will need to return the device to the stock state by locking the bootloader and removing the superuser rights, otherwise banking applications will block the launch.
☑️ Preparing a smartphone for payment
Remember to update all system components of Google Play Services to the latest version. Often payment issues arise from the dissynchronization of the service versions and the wallet app itself. Go to the settings of your Google account in the phone menu and check for available updates for all components of the ecosystem.
Step-by-step instructions for adding a bank card
The card binding process is standardized, but on Xiaomi devices, there are nuances associated with aggressive energy savings. Open the Google Wallet app and click on the Add to Wallet button or the plus in the corner of the screen. The system will suggest choosing the type of object to be added - select Bank card.
Next, you will have the ability to scan the map with the camera or enter data manually. Redmi 9 camera recognizes text well enough, but to avoid errors, it is better to double-check the number entered, expiration date and CVV-Once the data is entered, the bank will send a verification request, which may come through the SMS or in the form of a push notification in the banking application.
When you add a card, Google's security system can request confirmation via a bank call or Internet banking login, which is standard 3D-Secure, and once you've done a successful check, it will appear on the list of available payment options, but that's not always where the setup ends.
⚠️ Note: If you get an error when adding a card, “Bank does not support this device” or “Security Update is required,” don’t try adding the card again indefinitely. First, clean the cache of the Google Play Services app and check for system updates. MIUI.
The important step is to set the default card. Go to the settings. NFC in the main menu of the phone and make sure that the contactless payments option is Google Wallet, not Mi Pay or «SIM-Only then will the phone use the selected bank when it reaches the terminal.
Security and biometrics setting
Transaction security is a priority for payment systems, so using NFC without a screen lock installed is impossible.You must set a pin, pattern lock or password. Without this step, the system simply will not allow you to add a card, as this violates Google's security protocols.
For ease of use, you should set up biometric authorization. Redmi 9 features a fingerprint scanner located on the back, as well as a face unlock module. In password and security settings → Biometrics add your fingerprints. This will allow you to confirm payment by touching your finger, which is faster and safer than entering a pin code each time.
Also worth paying attention to privacy settings. In the device security menu, check if the Device Search and theft protection feature is enabled. Some banking applications may require the device encryption enabled, which is on Xiaomi by default but can be disabled by the user.
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Use different fingerprints to unlock the screen and to confirm payments, if your bank model supports this feature within your app, which will add an additional layer of security.
If you use the Second Space feature or guest mode on MIUI, remember that the cards added to the main profile will not be available in guest mode. To work with different profiles, the card will have to be added separately in each of them, which may require re-verification by the bank.
Solving problems with banks and MIUI
Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where a card is added but the payment does not pass. One of the main reasons is the aggressive MIUI energy saving system, which can kill the background processes of the payment application. Go to the battery settings, find Google Wallet and set the “No Limits” mode.
Another common problem is that some financial institutions may block card binding to devices with non-standard firmware or a certain security status, as described in the table below and how to address them:
| Mistake/Symptom | Possible cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Can't add a map." | Unstable Internet or Bank Blocking | Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet, call the bank |
| Terminal doesn't see the phone | Not selected by default application | In the NFC settings, select “Payment through Google” |
| Security error | Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader) | Block the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool |
| Card added but not paid | Failure in Google Play Services | Clear the Google Play Services cache and reboot your phone |
A separate issue with China ROMs is that Google services may not work properly or require complicated manual installations. If you have a Chinese version of Redmi 9, it is strongly recommended that you reflash your device to the Global ROM for stable NFC and Google Pay operation.
What if a bank requires an application to run NFC?
Use of alternative payment methods
If the standard way through Google Wallet doesn’t work for some reason, Xiaomi owners can use alternative solutions, such as Mi Pay, the company’s own payment system, but the list of supported banks in Mi Pay is much narrower than in Google Pay, and depends on the region of use of the smartphone.
Another option is the use QR-codes for payment through banking applications or SberPay / SBP. This is not a contactless payment through NFC It's a pure, functionally-supplier trip with a card. You open the bank's app, generate the code, and the cashier reads it with a scanner.
There are emulator apps that allow card data to be transferred via NFC, emulating a chip, but using such programs on devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights carries increased security risks and can lead to a bank blocking the card for suspicious activity.
⚠️ Warning: Never use third-party cloning apps downloaded from unverified sources, which could lead to fraudsters stealing your financial data.
For Redmi 9 owners, the most stable and secure option is the “Official Bank App + Google Wallet” bundle on global firmware, which ensures maximum compatibility with terminals and transaction protection.
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The stability of the NFC on Redmi 9 depends on the firmware version (Global prefers China) and the absence of system modifications (Root, custom recoveries).