Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for calls, turning into powerful tools for everyday tasks. NFC-Technology is key. Budget model owners often wonder how to turn on the technology. NFC It's a 9-tap solution for paying for one-touch purchases or sharing data quickly. For Xiaomi Redmi 9, this is especially true, as the shell functionality is a great option. MIUI It has its own features that distinguish it from pure Android.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the nuances of the near-field contactless module on your device, not only the standard activation, but also the hidden settings that you may need to work correctly for banking applications or a smart home. Understanding the principles of Near Field Communication will help you avoid common setup errors.
It is worth noting that the presence of a module in a particular instance of the phone depends on the region of delivery. Global versions are usually equipped with a full-fledged chip, while some Chinese versions may not have hardware support.
Check the availability of NFC module in Redmi 9
Before you start settings, you need to make sure that the chip is physically present in your smartphone. Not all Redmi 9 modifications are equipped with this module, and you can not add it softwarely. The most reliable way is to go to the system settings and look for the corresponding menu item, which can be hidden in different sections depending on the version of MIUI.
An alternative method is to use the diagnostic menu of the engineering test, which is a hidden part of the system designed to check hardware components. To get there, open the Phone app and enter a special code that will run testing of the equipment without the need to install third-party software.
⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu, do not change the values of the parameters unless you are sure of their purpose. Accidental modification of the system settings can lead to incorrect operation of the radio modules.
You can also use third-party apps from the Google Play store that read hardware information, and they'll show you a list of all the sensors and modules that are on the board, and if you don't mention NFC on the list, you don't have to activate it, because the module is physically missing.
Basic activation through curtain and settings
If the module is confirmed, activation takes only a few seconds. The fastest way is to use the notification panel, often referred to as the "curtain." Swipe down the screen from top to bottom to reveal the full list of fast toggles, and find an icon labeled NFC.
Clicking on the icon instantly switches the status of the module, but for full operation, especially with payment systems, it is recommended to go to the deep settings menu, where you can not only turn on the function, but also adjust the behavior of the device when you detect tags or other gadgets.
In the settings menu, the path can look like Connections and Sharing → NFC or Additional Features → NFC. The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional firmware (Global, Russia, Europe). The same menu usually contains a Read Mode switch, which should be activated to scan the various tags.
☑️ Verification of activation NFC
Once turned on, the status bar may have an appropriate icon, although in modern versions of MIUI it is often hidden to save space. Make sure the screen is unlocked when you bring the phone to the payment terminal or tag, as in sleep mode, reading is often blocked for security reasons.
Google Pay and Alternative Services
The main reason users are looking for how to turn on NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is contactless payment. To work with this functionality on Xiaomi smartphones, you need not only to turn on the module, but also to properly configure the host emulation. Without this, the banking application will not see the chip.
Settings menu. NFC Find the item “Secure Element Position” and for the correct work with payment services from Google, this parameter must be set to the value of the security element. HCE Wallet, if selected «SIM-Payment via phone will not work, as modern services use software emulation, not a chip card.
| Setup parameter | Recommended value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading mode | Included. | Allows you to read information from tags and key fobs |
| Security element | HCE Wallet | It is necessary for the work of Google Pay and analogues |
| Android Beam | Off. | Older protocol, it is better to use Nearby Share |
| Confidentiality | By default. | Hiding data when scanning with unknown devices |
Also worth paying attention to is Xiaomi’s Security app: In the permissions section or battery settings, make sure that the payment app (Google Pay, Samsung Pay or banking) is allowed to work in the background. MIUI’s aggressive energy saving system can block the background processes needed to respond instantly when paying.
What to do if HCE Wallet is not available?
Using NFC to Transfer Files and Data
While Android Beam technology is officially out of date and replaced with Nearby Share, many users, out of habit or hardware, use NFC to initiate transmission. On Redmi 9, the process works like this: you bring two devices with the backs of each other.
When you successfully connect, the phone vibrates and makes a distinctive sound, and then the screen offers you to send a file, a photo or a contact, the data transfer speed itself goes through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, and NFC here acts as a trigger for quick pairing.
To communicate contacts or links, you can simply attach your phone to a tag or other device, which is convenient in an office environment or when exchanging business cards. Make sure that both devices are Bluetooth enabled, as without it, heavy file transfers will not begin, even if you don’t have a mobile phone. NFC-handshake went well.
It is important to keep the devices still for 1-2 seconds. A sudden movement can break the connection until the authorization token is transferred. If the transfer does not begin, try to remove the protective case, especially if it contains metal elements or magnets that shield the signal.
Work with NFC-tagging and automation
Xiaomi Redmi 9 owners can use NFC not only for payments, but also to create smart scripts. Special programmable tags are inexpensive and allow you to automate routine activities. For example, one label on the desktop can include silent mode and run work applications.
To record actions on the tag, you need third-party applications like NFC Tools or Trigger, which allow you to write to the chip the command that the smartphone will perform when you read it, which can be sending an SMS, opening the navigator, turning on the flashlight or changing the Wi-Fi settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not label sensitive information in plain form. Any smartphone in read mode will be able to read data from an unprotected tag.
Scenarios can be complex: when you put your phone on a tag in your car, Bluetooth can be turned on, music can be triggered and the navigator opens. In the bedroom, another tag can wake the alarm and put the phone in Do Not Disturb mode. The possibilities are limited only by the user's imagination and the functionality of the selected automator application.
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Use bright stickers to mark programmed tags, which will help you not confuse them and know what action the phone will perform when you touch.
Typical problems and methods of their solution
Despite the simplicity of the technology, users sometimes face situations where NFC stops working, most often the problem lies in a software failure or application conflict. The first thing you try is to just reboot your smartphone, which solves 80% of the time glitches of the system.
If the reboot didn't work, check if any antivirus or power-saving app is blocking the module. MIUI has a "Second Space" or "Game Mode" feature that can limit background activity. Try turning them off and check the module again.
In rare cases, resetting your network settings helps, and it won't delete your personal files, but it will return your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile settings to factory values, and then you'll need to re-enter your wireless passwords, but the NFC module can work correctly.
If the payment terminal can't see the phone, even though everything used to work, check the date and time. An incorrect system date can violate security certificates, causing the payment application to refuse to conduct a transaction. Set up automatic time synchronization over the network.
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If nothing helps, and the module is not defined even in the engineering menu, it is possible to break the antenna or plume, which requires contacting the service center.
Influence of covers and accessories on the signal
Physical obstacles are a common cause of NFC problems. The antenna in Redmi 9 is located at the top of the body, usually closer to the camera. If you use a thick, protected case, especially with metal inserts or a magnetic cover, the signal may weaken to a level insufficient to read.
The magnets in bookcases are particularly dangerous, because they can not only shield the signal, but in some cases demagnetize the magnetic strip of credit cards if they are stored in a pocket of a case. For contactless payment, such cases are better to remove or fold the lid.
Also, consider stickers on the back cover: Metalized stickers, metal-based pop-sockets, or thick layers of glue can cause interference. If you notice that payment only goes through the second or third time, try removing the case and checking without it.