NFC in Xiaomi phone: where is the power button

Many Xiaomi smartphone users, when switching from other devices or first encountering contactless payment, wonder where exactly the physical NFC power button is located. This is a common misconception that often leads to a stupor for beginners. In fact, in modern smartphones, including all current Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, there is no separate physical button on the case to activate this module.

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a hardware and software package that is managed entirely through the Android operating system and the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Instead of looking for a hidden switch on the device frame, you need to look at software settings, which are done to save space inside the case and unify the wireless connection management interface.

Activation of the module is done exclusively through software through the notification menu or deep system settings. Understanding this principle is the first step to successfully configuring contactless payments and data exchange. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to find the right switches, why they can be hidden and how to check the health of the antenna.

Search for a switch in the notification curtain

The fastest way to activate NFC-The module on your smartphone is the use of a quick access panel, which doesn't require a deep dive into the menu and allows you to turn on the function in a couple of seconds.

To get to the desired item, swipe from the top edge of the screen down to open the control center. If you don't see the NFC icon right away, try swiping left or pressing the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots) to expand the full list of available switches. Find the N icon and tap it to activate the module.

• 📱 Swipe your finger from the top edge of the screen down to open the curtain.
• ✏️ Click on the edit button if the icon NFC not immediately visible.
• 🔍 Find the icon «NFC» and click on it to activate it.
• ✅ Make sure the indicator is on fire, confirming the operation of the module.

Importantly, on some versions of the MIUI shell, the icon may be simply called “NFC” or have a payment system logo. If after all the manipulations, the icon does not appear, it is possible that your smartphone model does not technically support this feature, which we will talk about in the section on compatibility checks.

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If you use contactless payment frequently, pin the NFC icon in the front row of the notification curtain through the edit menu to always have quick access to it.

Activation through the system settings menu

If you can't find the switch through the curtain, the guaranteed way is to go to the main settings menu, where all the device's parameters are located, including the management of wireless interfaces, and the path to settings can vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system.

You need to open the Settings app and find the connection section. In current versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, this section is often called Connection and Sharing or Connections, and this is where all the switches related to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC are concentrated.

Inside the section, look for the "NFC" option and go to it. Here you'll see the master switch that activates the chip. There are also often additional settings available in this menu, such as selecting a security element or mode of operation of the module. Beware: in some regions of the firmware, this item may be called "Contactless Payment".

⚠️ Note: If the "Connections" menu is completely missing NFC, This means that your particular smartphone model is physically missing an antenna and chip.

For users who prefer search by settings, you can use the search bar at the very top of the settings menu. Just type in the "NFC" request and the system will suggest you go to the desired switch. It is a universal method that works equally well on all Xiaomi devices.

Setup of security elements and payments

Simply turning on the module is not enough to run the payment services, and the critical step is to set up the security correctly, which determines which application will take priority for transactions when you bring your phone to the terminal.

Settings menu. NFC Find the item "Secure Element" and you will be asked to choose between SIM-You need to choose the option to work correctly with services like Google Pay (or its analogues) or banking applications «SIM-card (if the support is provided by the operator) or «HCE» (Host Card Emulation, which is the standard for most modern solutions.

Once you select a security element, the system may request a confirmation or reboot of the interface. Make sure that the security element does not select an app that you do not plan to use for payments, otherwise the terminal may not see your phone.

Checking the availability of the module in different models

Xiaomi produces hundreds of smartphone models, and equip them NFC-The module varies by price segment and region of production. Budget models of the Redmi series (especially with an A or C index) often do not have this feature to reduce the final cost of the product.

To know exactly if there is NFC in your phone, you don't have to rely on external signs alone. The most reliable way is to specify it on the official website or in the About Phone app, and you can also use third-party diagnostic tools that will show you a list of all the sensors available.

• 🔍 Check the model of the device on the official website of the manufacturer.
• 📲 Install an application to check the characteristics (for example, CPU-Z or AIDA64).
• 📄 Find the presence in the sensor list «NFC».
• 🌏 Consider the region of the firmware version (Global, CN, EEA).

There is a nuance with regional versions. The global version of the popular budgetary may have NFC, while the Chinese version of the same model does not. So when buying a device from hand or import versions, always check the equipment specifically for your serial number.

⚠️ Attention: Availability of logo NFC The back cover or box does not always guarantee the module’s performance in your particular firmware, especially if the device has been re-flashed from the Chinese version to the global artisanal method.

Diagnostics and testing of antenna

If you have a switch on the menu, but the phone doesn't respond to terminals or tags, it may be a hardware or software failure that is a problem, and you should do a self-diagnosis before you bring the device to the service, which will help you understand if the chip or the software problem is alive.

Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden engineering menu, accessible through a set of special code. By typing ##6484## in the Phone app, you will be taken to the hardware testing menu, and you will find an item related to NFC (often referred to as "NFC Test" or "NFC Detection"), and run the check.

Instructions for the engineering menu:


1. Open the Phone app.




2. Dial the code ##6484##




3. In the list of tests, find "NFC".




4. Press "Start" and hold the phone to the tag.

The test will show if the software layer sees the antenna, and if the test is successful but the payment is not working, the problem is probably the security settings or the locking from the bank, and if the test shows an error or freezes, the antenna plume may have gone off after the fall or the chip may have failed.

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Successful passing of the test in the engineering menu confirms the serviceability of the hardware part, shifting the focus of the problem search to software settings and application compatibility.

Frequent problems and methods of their solution

Even with a properly configured module, users can face various difficulties, often caused by application conflict when several programs try to seize control of the system. NFC-It's also influenced by protective cases with metal inserts that shield the signal.

If your phone stopped seeing cards after you upgraded, try resetting your network settings.This action will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but will return network settings, including Bluetooth and other network settings. NFC, To the factory values. To the reset: Settings → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.

In rare cases, flashing the device or rolling back to a more stable version of MIUI can help. However, if the problem suddenly appears without any interference, it is worth checking whether recently installed applications with administrator rights that can block payment functions for “security” purposes.

• 📵 Remove a thick or metal case to check the connection.
• 🔄 Restart the device after changing the settings NFC.
• 🗑️ Remove recently installed questionable apps.
• ⚙️ Reset your network settings if the problem persists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)