NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: how to turn on and configure in 3 minutes

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many users still do not know that this model supports NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Despite the lack of official information in some regions, the module is present in the device and can be used for contactless payments, data transfer and work with smart devices. In this article, we will discuss how to properly activate NFC on the Redmi Note 5, check its performance and eliminate possible errors.

It's important to understand that NFC functionality depends on the firmware version and the region of sale of the smartphone. For example, the Indian and Chinese versions of Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) often come with the module disabled at the software level. But even in such cases, it can be enabled through hidden settings or software updates. If you have never used NFC, our guide will help you to get from scratch — from checking hardware support to setting up Google Pay or Mi Pay.

Check NFC support on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

Before you try to turn on NFC, make sure your smartphone is equipped with this module at all. Not all Redmi Note 5 modifications have hardware support - it depends on the market for which the device was released.

• 🔍 View specifications: Go to the official Xiaomi website or a proven resource like GSMArena. In the specifications of your model should indicate the presence of a specification. NFC. For Redmi Note 5 (global version), the module is present, but can be disabled software.
• 📱 Use the application: Install the utility NFC Check from Google Play. It'll show you if the phone has a chip. NFC And if it's active. If the app is writing "NFC Not available means that the module is not physically available.
• 🛠️ Check through the engineering menu: Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application, go to Phone Information and find the item NFC. If it is not there is no support.

If the test shows that NFC is missing, then it's pointless. But if there's a module that doesn't work, we'll read on. Importantly, some firmware (e.g., China's MIUI 9-10) hides the NFC settings even if the chip is physically present, and changing the region or the firmware through Fastboot will help.

Step-by-step: how to turn on NFC on Redmi Note 5

If your smartphone supports NFC, you can activate it through the standard MIUI settings. The instructions are suitable for global and European versions of the firmware (MIUI 10 and later).

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
3. Slip on the NFC item. If it's not there, see the next section of the article.
4. Activate the NFC slider (it will turn blue).
5. For contactless payments, enable the Android Beam option (if file transfer is required) or HCE-wallet (for Google Pay).

Once turned on, the module will be active until the phone restarts or manually shuts down. To keep the NFC running, pin its icon in the Quick Settings panel:

• 📲 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the curtain.
• 🔧 Click on the pencil icon (Edit).
• 🔄 Find the tile. NFC And drag it to the active area.

If there's no NFC on the menu, it doesn't mean there's no NFC, it's probably hidden because of regional constraints, and in the next section, we'll show you how to get around that limitation.

What to do if there is no NFC in the settings?

The lack of an NFC item on the menu is a common problem for Redmi Note 5 owners with Chinese or Indian firmware, and can be solved in several ways:

Method 1: Replacement of MIUI Region

Firmware for different regions can block access to NFC.

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Region.
2. Choose Russia, Europe or Global (not China!).
3. Reboot the phone. After that, the NFC should appear.

Method 2: Manually enable through the engineering menu

If the region change didn’t help, try activating NFC through the hidden settings:

1. Open the Phone app and type ##6484##.
2. In the menu that appears, find the NFC item and turn it on.
3. Return to the standard settings – now the option should be displayed.

Method 3: Installation of custom firmware

If nothing works, you can reflash the phone to a global version of MIUI or custom firmware like LineageOS, which requires unlocking the bootloader and can be insecure. For more information on firmware, see our section on Unlocking Bootloader on Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: Before firmware, back up the data via Settings → System system → Backup: Wrong firmware can turn a phone into a brick".

Contactless payments (Google Pay, Mi Pay)

Once NFC is enabled, you can link your bank cards to pay with your smartphone. Redmi Note 5 supports two main services:

For Google Pay:

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and press Add the map.
3. Scan the map or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the addition via SMS or a call from the bank.

For Mi Pay (only available on MIUI):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Mi Pay.
2. Create. PIN-safety-code.
3. Add a bank card (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc. are supported).
4. Activate the default payment option.

💡

Before the first payment, check that NFC It's on and the phone's unlocked. Some terminals require fingerprint confirmation or PIN-code.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after successful NFC activation, Redmi Note 5 users may encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and fixes:

1. NFC is turned on but not working

If the module is activated, but the smartphone does not read the tags or pay for purchases:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes a simple reboot helps.
• 📱 Check the case: metal or thick covers block the signal NFC. Remove it before use.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.

2. “No NFC Connection” Error in Google Pay

This means that the service doesn't see the module.

• 🔄 Update Google Pay to the latest version.
• 📱 Clear the app's cache: Settings → Annexes → Google Pay → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Install Google Pay as the default payment app in your settings NFC.

3.The phone does not read tags or cards

The problem may be the malfunction of the NFC antenna.

• 📍 Position of the phone: Bring the top of the smartphone (where the module is) to the reader.
• 🔋 Battery charge: at low charge (less than 15%) NFC may be off.
• 🔧 Testing: Try to count as normal NFC-tag (e.g. from a transport card) If it doesn't work, the module is a problem.

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations NFC It's still not working, it's probably the chip itself that's broken, and in that case, only the service center will help. NFC on Redmi Note 5 – about 1500-2500 rubles.

Where is the NFC antenna in Redmi Note 5?

To be able to successfully use contactless features, you need to know where the NFC module is in the body of your smartphone. In Redmi Note 5, the antenna is at the top of the back, next to the main camera. Here's how to properly bring your phone to the reader:

• 📱 For payment: hold the phone vertically, with the top of the terminal. distance should be 1-3 cm.
• 🔄 For data transfer (Android Beam): connect the back of two smartphones antennas to each other.
• 🏷️ To read the tags: bring the top of the phone to NFC-chip on a poster, map or keychain.

If you use a case, make sure it doesn't cover the top of the case. Metal cases completely block the NFC signal, and thick silicone cases can weaken it. For convenience, you can label the case with a marker to quickly find the readout zone.

💡

The NFC antenna in the Redmi Note 5 is located at the top of the back cover. Don't cover this area with covers or stickers, otherwise the module will not work.

Alternative ways to use NFC on the Redmi Note 5

The NFC on the Redmi Note 5 can be used for more than just payments, but here are some useful scenarios.

Fast File Transfer (Android Beam)

To send photos, contacts or links to another smartphone:

1. Turn on NFC and Android Beam on both phones.
2. Open the file you want to send.
3. Connect the back of the devices (antenna to antenna).
4. Wait for the beep - the transmission will start automatically.

2. Automation of tasks with NFC-marker

Using applications like Trigger or NFC Tools, you can program tags to perform actions:

• 🔊 Turning on Wi-Fi when touching a label on your desktop.
• 📵 Going to silent mode at night.
• 🚗 Starting the navigator when touching a tag in the car.

For this:

1. Buy the empty ones. NFC-tags (stands) ~50-200 rubles apiece).
2. Install NFC Tools from Play Market.
3. Write down the desired action (for example, turning on Bluetooth).
4. Attach the label in a convenient place (on the table, in the car, by the bed).

3. Connecting smart devices

NFC simplifies pairing with:

• 🔊 Silent speakers (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker).
• 🎧 Headphones with support for fast connection.
• 💡 Smart Lamps (Yeelight, Philips Hue).

Just bring the phone to NFC-chip on the device – the connection will be established automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5