Xiaomi 9T
Redmi K20
MIUI
NFC
It’s easier than it sounds to turn on NFC on the Xiaomi 9T, but there are a few nuances, from the firmware version to regional restrictions. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the activation methods, tell you where the NFC chip is physically located in the phone’s body, and give you practical tips on how to set up contactless payments. If you haven’t used this feature before, you’re missing one of the most convenient “chips” of your smartphone.
Before you go to the instructions, check if your model supports NFC. On Xiaomi 9T, the chip is built into all versions, but in some regions (for example, in India), the feature can be software disabled, you can see this by looking at the characteristics of the device or using special applications like NFC Tools from Google Play.
Wherever NFC-chip 9T?
The NFC module in Xiaomi 9T is located at the top of the case, next to the main camera. The exact place is under the plastic insert with the brand logo. This is important to know in order to properly bring the phone to the terminal or other device.
🔍 How to check the location:
- Take a second smartphone with NFC (or bank card) enabled.
- Activate NFC on Xiaomi 9T (read below).
- Slowly move the back cover of the phone to the other device until a reaction (vibration, sound, or notification) appears.
Note that if you use a case with metal inserts or magnets, this may block the signal, and in such cases, it is recommended to remove the case before using NFC.
💡
If the phone doesn't respond to the terminal, try to hold it at a different angle, sometimes tilting the case slightly to make the chip closer to the reader.
How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi 9T: step-by-step instructions
NFC activation takes less than a minute, but the path to settings may vary depending on the version of MIUI. We'll look at three main ways that work on firmware from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14.
📌 Method 1: Through the Quick Settings Panel
- Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Click on the icon «⚙️» (or "Edit" to deploy all available switches.
- Find an NFC icon (usually stylized as an “N” or wave) and tap it.
- If there is no icon, move on to the next method.
📌 Method 2: Through the main settings
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions).
- Select NFC.
- Activate the slider at the top of the screen.
📌 Method 3: Through Search in Settings
- Open the settings and tap on the magnifying glass icon (search).
- Enter the NFC request.
- Select the section that appears and turn on the function.
Make sure the function is enabled in the settings
Check for no metal interference (covers, keys)
Bring the phone to the terminal at a 45-degree angle
Try with several test devices-->
Contactless payments (Google Pay, SberPay, Mir Pay)
One of the main uses of NFC is to pay for purchases with a smartphone, which requires not only the module, but also the configuration of the payment application, and let's take a look at Google Pay, which works similarly with SberPay and Mir Pay.
💳 Instructions for setting up:
- Install the Google Pay app from the Google Play Market.
- Open it and log in through your Google account.
- Click “Add card” and scan it or enter the data manually.
- Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
- After successful binding, select the card as the main one for payment.
⚠️ Note: some banks require additional activation of contactless payments in their personal account or via a support call, for example, for Tinkoff or Alfa Bank cards, you may need to enable the option “Plastic in” Apple/Google Pay».
🔄 If payments don't work:
- 📱 Make sure that NFC switched on and unlocked (some terminals require input) PIN-code).
- 🔒 Check if the antivirus is blocking or MIUI Optimizer operation of payment services.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
Why can't the terminal see the phone?
NFC Data Transfer: Android Beam and Alternatives
In addition to payments, NFC allows you to quickly share files between devices, and in older versions of Android, Android Beam was used for this, but in MIUI 12+ this feature has been replaced by alternative solutions.
📤 How to transfer a file through NFC:
- Turn on NFC on both devices.
- Open the file (photo, contact, link) you want to send.
- Hold the phones back to each other.
- On the screen will appear the notification “Touch for transmission” – confirm the action.
⚠️ Attention: speed of transmission through NFC It is extremely low (about 400 Kbps), so it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth for large files.
🔧 Alternative applications for data exchange:
- 📱 NFC Tools – allows you to create and read tags, as well as transfer small data.
- 🔗 Send Anywhere - Used by NFC to initialize the connection, and the transfer itself is carried out over Wi-Fi.
- 📎 Xiaomi Quick Share – a proprietary solution from Xiaomi for sharing files between the brand devices.
NFC problems on Xiaomi 9T and their solutions
If NFC doesn't turn on or doesn't work well, it can be software or hardware, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| NFC is not turned on (grey switch) | No support in the region or outdated firmware | Update MIUI to the latest version or install global firmware |
| Phone can't see terminals | Metal cover or damage to the antenna | Take off your case or check your phone at the service center |
| Payments are not accepted (card is not supported error) | Bank does not support Google Pay or card is not tied | Check the list of supported banks on the Google Pay website |
| NFC is spontaneously shut down | The energy saving regime is working | Add NFC to battery optimization exceptions |
🛠️ If nothing helps:
- 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
- 📲 Install a third-party diagnostic app, for example NFC Check.
- 🔧 Contact the service center - a malfunction of the antenna or chip is possible.
💡
If after the MIUI NFC update stopped working, try to roll back to the previous version of the firmware or wait for a patch. Often bugs are fixed in the next updates.
Hidden NFC Features on Xiaomi 9T
Few people know, but the NFC on the Xiaomi 9T can be used for more than just payments.
🔑 Management of smart devices:
- 💡 Set up. NFC-tags to turn on lights, start a robot vacuum cleaner or activate scenes in Mi Home.
- 🚗 Use tags to open a garage or start a car (if supported).
🎮 Gaming accessories:
Some gamepads and joysticks (such as the Xiaomi Game Controller) are connected via NFC for fast synchronization.
📋 Automation of tasks:
Using the Tasker or MacroDroid app, you can program actions when touching. NFC-Like a tag:
- 📵 Switching your phone to silent mode at work.
- 🎵 Starting a playlist when touching a tag in the car.
- 📷 Quickly open the camera with set settings.
Important: special automation scenarios will be required NFC-tags (costs from 50 rubles per piece) can be bought on AliExpress or in electronics stores.