How to use the NFC function in the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphone

Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for calls, becoming universal tools for everyday life. Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, became one of the first flagships of the brand, which received full support for NFC technology for the Russian market, which opened up new opportunities for users to interact with the world around them. This feature allows not only to pay for purchases with one touch, but also to quickly exchange data or read information from special tags.

However, despite the popularity of the technology, many owners still do not know how to properly activate the module or why it stops working at the right time. In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of operating Near Field Communication on your device, you will learn about the intricacies of settings, how to optimize the battery and methods for solving common problems faced by users of the MIUI shell.

Understanding how wireless works will help you use your gadget to its fullest capacity, and we'll look at both standard use cases and hidden capabilities available to power users, and get ready to turn your phone into a digital wallet and smart home remote control.

Activation and basic configuration of the communication module

The first step to get started is to activate the module correctly in the system. Unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi provides several ways to enable this option, which can confuse the inexperienced user. The standard and fastest way is to use the quick access panel, which is called by a swipe down from the top edge of the screen.

Find an icon that says NFC and tap it so it lights up blue. If the icon isn't in the first screen of the curtain, swipe the full list of switches to the left or edit button, and then the system automatically triggers the background scanning process and waiting for external devices.

A deeper setup is available through the main settings menu. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC. Here you can not only activate the module, but also choose the default application for processing payments. This is a critical parameter, because without choosing a service, payment through the terminal will not pass.

• 📱 Make sure your banking application or service emulator is selected in the "Secure Item" section.
• 🔒 Check if screen unlock is enabled, as the phone must be unlocked to conduct the transaction.
• 📡 Make sure the flight mode is off, although the module is NFC It works independently of cellular communication.

⚠️ Note: If you use third-party apps to emulate cards, the system setting "Pay by touch" should indicate them, otherwise the terminal does not consider the data.

Configure contactless payment via Google Pay and alternatives

Contactless payment is the most popular among Xiaomi Mi 9 owners. Payment systems require not only an active module, but also the right software. In the changing payment market, users often look for alternative ways to conduct transactions using emulation capabilities.

The standard procedure for adding a card is as follows: open your bank’s application, find the section with the card settings, and select the add-on to Google Pay or another payment service, the system will request proof of identity via SMS or call, and will require acceptance of the terms of the agreement.

For the successful operation of the HCE (Host Card Emulation) technology, which emulates a plastic card, a number of security conditions must be met: the phone must not have an unlocked bootloader (root rights can block the operation of banking applications), and the screen lock using a pin code or biometrics must be enabled.

This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your funds in the event of a device being lost.

Using a Smartphone to Read and Write Labels

NFC technology not only transmits data, but also reads information from passive tags that don’t require a power source of their own. Your Xiaomi Mi 9 acts as a reader, generating an electromagnetic field that activates the tag chip, which opens up opportunities for task automation and quick access to information.

You may need a special app to interact with tags, although basic reading functions are built into the system. Bring the back of your smartphone (where the camera is located) close to the tag. URL-address, the browser will open automatically if the text - it will appear in the notification.

Recording information on tags requires the use of third-party software, such as NFC Tools, which can be programmed to turn on Wi-Fi, launch an application or send a message, which is especially convenient for organizing a workplace or a smart home.

File transfer and contact exchange of Android Beam

Although the classic Android Beam feature was eliminated in newer versions of Android, at the time of the relevance of the Xiaomi Mi 9, it was the main way to quickly transfer data.

To transmit a contact or a photo, just open the file you want and hold the phones to each other with the back panel. When vibrating and the characteristic sound, the screen will shrink, suggesting you touch for sending, which is much faster than looking for a device in the Bluetooth list and entering pairing codes.

Today, more advanced protocols such as Google’s Quick Share or Xiaomi’s Mi Share have replaced this method, which uses a combination of Bluetooth for detection and Wi-Fi for transmission, providing much higher speeds. However, the basic touch-and-transfer principle remains handy for fast business cards exchange.

• 📸 For photos and videos, use Mi Share for maximum speed.
• 📇 It is still convenient to use a simple touch for contacts, as long as both devices support the standard.
• 🔗 Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices for successful detection.

NFC problems and how to solve them

Despite the reliability of the technology, users sometimes face situations where the module stops responding to commands, the most common cause is a software failure in the Google Play Services service or conflicts in the MIUI shell. The first thing you try is to just restart the device, it solves 80% of the problems.

If the reboot didn’t work, check for system updates. Sometimes bugs in a particular firmware version can block the module, and check if you have an application that conflicts with access to NFC, such as antiviruses with transaction protection.

In rare cases, the problem can be hardware: If the phone fell or was exposed to moisture, the antenna module could move away from the contacts. In the Xiaomi Mi 9, the NFC antenna is located at the top of the body, next to the main camera.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated in the camera area when trying to turn on NFC, Turn off the function immediately and contact the service center, this may indicate a short circuit.

💡

Try clearing the cache of the Settings app and the NFC system service in the Applications section → All Apps → Show System.

Impact of NFC on Autonomy and Data Security

Many users mistakenly believe that the constantly on NFC module significantly drains the battery.In fact, in standby mode, it consumes a tiny amount of power, since it is activated only when interacting with another device. The difference in autonomy of the Xiaomi Mi 9 with the NFC on and off is almost invisible.

In terms of security, NFC is considered one of the most secure, with a range of only a few centimeters, making remote data interception impossible, and when you pay through Google Pay or Apple Pay, your real card number is not transferred to the terminal, a one-time token is used.

However, there is a risk of tags or cards being read in crowded places, although this is technically difficult to implement. For maximum protection, it is recommended to use shielding cases or keep bank cards in special compartments of the wallet with RFID protection.

💡

NFC consumes negligible (negligible) amounts of power in the background, so there’s no point turning it off permanently for the sake of saving charge.

Additional capabilities and automation of tasks

Owners of the Xiaomi Mi 9 can use NFC to create complex automation scenarios, such as holding a phone to a desktop tag can automatically turn on silent mode, start a note-taking app, and turn on Wi-Fi, making the smartphone a powerful productivity tool.

You can also set up a tag in the car that will activate Bluetooth, launch the navigator and enable music playback. The number of scripts is limited only by your imagination and the capabilities of automation applications such as Tasker or MacroDroid.

Using the Android One Touch feature, you can quickly connect compatible wireless headphones or speakers. Just tap the speaker with the device and the connection will be established without having to search the device in the list and enter the pairing code.