How to connect NFC to Xiaomi Redmi 8: User Guide

The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a universal tool for solving household and financial problems. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 devices are often interested in the possibility of using short-range technology to pay for purchases in one touch. The presence of the NFC module greatly simplifies life, allowing you to forget about plastic cards and quickly exchange data with other gadgets.

However, the activation process is not always obvious to beginners, especially given the features of the MIUI shell. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to check for a chip in your version of the smartphone, where to find hidden settings and what to do if the module does not work.

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that your device is technically capable. The electronics market offers many modifications, and the characteristics may vary depending on the region of sale. We will look at all the nuances so that you can fully use the potential of your gadget.

Verification of availability NFC-module in Redmi 8

The first and most important step is hardware verification: Not all smartphones, even from the same manufacturer, have a short-range communication module. In the case of Redmi 8, the situation is ambiguous: the global version often lacks this feature, while the Chinese or Indian version can be equipped with it, so blindly following instructions without checking can lead to a waste of time.

There are several reliable ways to find out the truth about the stuffing of your phone, the easiest method is to visually inspect the back of the device. If the NFC logo is present on the case (usually on the top or next to the camera), then the module is guaranteed to be there. However, the absence of a sticker does not always mean the absence of a chip, since new batches may not be marked.

The more accurate method is to use software. Android provides built-in diagnostics, and third-party applications can read information directly from the controller.

  • 📱 Go to the settings and enter the word in the search bar"NFC". If there is a module, the system will suggest turning it on.
  • 🔍 Download the app NFC Check from Google Play Store for detailed diagnostics.
  • 📡 Note the top curtain of notifications: the presence of the icon "N" indicates support for the technology.

⚠️ Note: If the Settings Search engine does not find the appropriate section, and the diagnostic applications give an error, most likely, your Redmi 8 modification does not have an antenna and a chip physically.

It is also worth checking the technical characteristics of the device. IMI-This unique identifier can be found on the box or by typing *#06# in the phone book. By entering the code on specialized directory sites, you will get the exact specification of your model, which will indicate the presence or absence of a communication module.

How to find and activate NFC in your settings

If the test confirms the module, the next step is to activate it. In the MIUI shell that is installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 8, the settings menu may differ from standard Android. Users often get lost in the abundance of points without noticing the desired switch.

The first is through the Quick Access Panel, which is the fastest method that allows you to control the module in one touch. → Control panel → NFC

However, if the icon is removed from the curtain, you will have to use the full settings menu. It is important not to confuse the sections, since they can be called differently in different versions of the firmware.

The second way is through the main settings menu. Settings → Connection and sharing → NFC

Sometimes this item may be hidden under "Other settings" or "Wireless networks." After you go to the menu, you need to move the slider to the active position, the system may request confirmation of actions or suggest setting up additional security settings.

After the module is turned on, the phone will start to space for the presence of tags.

  • 🟢 Status bar indicator confirms successful activation.
  • 🔊 The device can produce a characteristic sound when brought to the reader.
  • ⚙️ There will be the ability to select the default application for processing tags.

📊 Did you find the settings? NFC in his Redmi 8?
I found it right away/I was hard to find/I didn't have a place like that/I needed help.

It is important to understand that activating the module consumes additional battery power, albeit insignificantly. If you are not using the feature daily, it makes sense to turn it off through settings or notification curtains to save energy. This is especially true in situations where there is no charger at hand.

Google Pay and other payment systems

The main reason users want to enable NFC is to be able to pay for purchases with a smartphone.To implement this feature on Redmi 8, you need to configure the Google Pay app (or its current analogue Google Wallet).

First, make sure that the device has all the necessary security updates installed. Banking applications require a high level of protection, and on outdated versions of the software they may refuse to work. After the update, open the application and log in to your Google account. Press Add Map and follow the instructions on the screen.

The system will offer to scan the card with the camera or enter data manually. Google Pay → Add a card → Scan or manually enter → Acceptance of the bank’s conditions

Once the data is entered, the bank will verify by sending an SMS code or requesting confirmation via a banking application, and the successful binding is confirmed by the relevant notification.

☑️ Readiness to pay

Done: 0 / 1

It's worth noting that some banks may block adding cards to devices without Google certification. Xiaomi owners rarely face this issue, but in rare cases, additional permissions may be required.

⚠️ Note: To work, the smartphone screen must be unlocked. Payment through the off screen is not possible for security reasons.

Using NFC to Transfer Data and Tags

Beyond payments, short-range technology is great for sharing data: Redmi 8 can transfer contacts, site links, geolocation, and small files between Android devices, a technique known as Android Beam (or its replacement for Nearby Share in newer versions) that works faster than Bluetooth when it transfers small amounts of information.

To transfer data, you need to enable the function in the NFC settings. Settings → NFC → Android Beam (or File Transfer)

Once activated, simply hold the backs of the two smartphones to each other, and when you detect the device, you will see a characteristic sound and vibration, after which you will receive a request for transmission on the screen.

It also allows you to read information from programmable tags, so you can create a scenario where you bring your phone to a desktop tag, and you automatically turn on silent mode or start your navigator.

  • 🏠 Home scenario: includes Wi-Fi and minimizes brightness.
  • 🚗 In the car: launches the navigator and turns on Bluetooth.
  • 💤 Scenario "Sleep": alarm clock and mode "Do not disturb".

How to create your own NFC-marker?
To create tags, you will need a recorder app (such as NFC Tools) and empty programmable tags. Write down the script you want and the phone will automatically perform the action when you touch it.> Solve common problems and errors.Even if you have a good hardware, users may experience software failures. The module may stop responding to commands, payments may not pass, and communication with other devices may break down. Most often the problem lies in a software conflict or malfunction of Google services.The first thing to do when errors occur is to restart the device.This banal action often solves problems with Google Pay, if you try to overload the service. Settings → Annexes → All applications → Google Pay → Clear cache Don't be afraid to clear cache, it won't delete your attached cards, but it will reset temporary files that may have been corrupted.The table below shows the main problems and ways to solve them: Problem Possible cause Solution No response to terminal Not selected by default Application In Settings NFC Select Google Pay basic Payment Error No internet or session expired Check connection and unlock screen Phone does not see label Security case with metal Remove case and try again Module does not turn on System glitch Complete reset (with backup) If nothing In Redmi 8, the antenna module is often combined with a back cover or a plume, and a drop or moisture could disrupt contact, and then you'll need a diagnostic at the service center. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often use protective cases without thinking about their effect on the radio signal. The NFC antenna is located at the top of the body, and any foreign objects between it and the reader can degrade the quality of communication. Especially critical materials containing metal or having magnetic properties. Thick silicone or leather cases usually do not create problems, but if they have a metal plate for the magnetic holder in the car, the module will be disrupted. The magnetic field blocks the signal, and the terminal simply does not count the antenna data from the camera location, or the camera location can also have a lock. For a trouble-free job NFC on the Redmi 8 It is recommended to use covers without metal inserts and thickness no more 2-3 It's easy to check the effect of the accessory, take off the cover and try to pay or count the tag. If everything works without the cover and the cover doesn't, the reason is found. 💡Quality of communication NFC It's a very different distance from the antenna to the reader, and any obstacle, especially metal obstacles, reduces the range of the device (FAQ) Can I install a module? NFC on the Redmi 8 Theoretically, you can replace the plume or antenna, but the software (firmware) should support this module. In most cases, if the model didn't have NFC in the first place, the motherboard doesn't have the appropriate contacts, and the installation is impossible without deep soldering and flashing, which is not economically feasible. Is it safe to store bank card data in the phone? Yes, it's safe. When you pay through Google Pay, your real card number is not transferred to the terminal. It uses a virtual token that is disposable. Even if the phone is stolen, attackers will not be able to make a payment without unlocking the screen (print, face or pin). Why does NFC drain the battery? In an active module? When you are not transferring your real card number, the battery, you are constantly using the battery, however, you can only use the battery with the battery with the presence of the battery is very low energy consumption. Does NFC work if the phone is turned off? On Redmi 8, as on most mid-range smartphones, pay when the phone is turned off doesn't work. This feature (Power Off Charging / NFC) is only available on flagship models with appropriate hardware implementation. How to check if the phone reads tags correctly? Download the NFC Tools app. Hold the phone to a known work tag (for example, a travel card or access card). If the application reads UID and tag data, then the software is working properly.