NFC technology in Xiaomi smartphones has long ceased to be exotic — today it is available even in budget models such as the Redmi 9T. However, many users still do not know how to properly activate this module and use its capabilities. Unlike flagship devices where NFC is turned on out of the box, in the Redmi 9T, additional settings may be required — especially if you updated the firmware or reset the phone to factory settings.
In this article, we will not just show you where the switch is. NFC in the menu, but also analyze the nuances of working with contactless payments, data exchange via Android Beam (despite its obsolescence), as well as the diagnosis of module malfunctions. HCE-payments, without which many banking applications refuse to work with the NFC on the Redmi 9T.
If you've ever had a problem like, "NFC doesn't find a tag" or "phone doesn't recognize a bank card," here's a solution -- including checking the hardware through the engineering menu. And for those who are just learning the technology, we've put together a comparison table of NFC capabilities across different MIUI firmwares for this model.
1.Verification of NFC availability in Xiaomi Redmi 9T
Before you try to turn on NFC, make sure your Redmi 9T does have this module.The fact is that Xiaomi sometimes releases regional versions of devices with stripped-down features. For example, the Redmi 9T model for the Indian market (designation M2010J19SI) may not have NFC, while the global version (M2010J19SG) is equipped with it by default.
Check the presence of the module can be in several ways:
- 📄 Documentation: Find the box from the phone - the sticker with specifications should have a paragraph NFC: If there is no box, check the Settings menu. → The phone. → Full specifications.
- 🔍 Engineering menu: Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application, go to the Phone Information section and find the line NFC. If it is not, the module is not physically present.
- 🛠️ Disassembly: On the Redmi motherboard 9T chip NFC Located next to the battery (marking) NXP PN54T You can visually see it by taking off the back cover.
It's important, if you're in your model. NFC There's no hardware, no firmware or mod can add this feature, and in that case, consider alternatives, like external ones. NFC-tags LE task-automation.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (particularly custom) item NFC You can hide in the menu Additional or Special features, if you can't find it in a standard place, upgrade your firmware to the latest stable version.
Step-by-step: How to turn on NFC on Redmi 9T
The module takes less than a minute to activate, but requires precise steps to follow. Here is the universal algorithm for all versions of MIUI 12/13/14 on Redmi 9T:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to Connections and Sharing (on some firmwares, Wireless Networks).
- Slip on NFC (usually located between Bluetooth and Modem Modem).
- Activate the NFC slider, it should turn blue.
- (Optional) Turn on Android Beam if you plan to share files with other devices.
After the module is turned on, an N icon will appear in the top notification bar, which is a confirmation that the NFC is ready to go. If the icon is not available, try restarting the phone or checking your energy saving settings (sometimes MIUI turns off the NFC in the background to save charge).
Update the firmware to the latest version|Check availability NFC specification|Turn on NFC customized|Activate Android Beam (if necessary)|Disable battery optimization for NFC-service-->
Hidden setting for bank payments: If you plan to use NFC For payment via Google Pay, Mi Pay or banking applications, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three dots (menu) → Special access → Payments NFC and turn on the Allow option HCE-Without it, many banks block transactions.
3.Configure contactless payments via NFC
One of the main advantages of NFC in Redmi 9T is the ability to link a bank card and pay for purchases with your phone, but there are nuances that depend on the firmware and region:
- 💳 Google Pay: Works on global firmware but requires an unlocked bootloader (Chinese firmware may not support it).
- 🏦 Mi Pay: Officially only supported in China, but can be installed via APK. You need Chinese to work. SIM-map VPN.
- 📱 Banking applications: Sberbank, Tinkoff and VTB support NFC-scoop 9T, But they may require manual adjustment. HCE (see previous section).
Instructions for setting up Google Pay:
- Install an app from the Play Market.
- Add a bank card (Mastercard, Visa, Mir are supported).
- Confirm the card via SMS or push notification from the bank.
- In NFC settings, select Google Pay as the default payment app.
If the terminal makes an error when paying, check:
- Payment Mode is enabled in the NFC settings.
- Does the antivirus or MIUI block the work of the service Google Play?
- Does your bank support contactless payments via HCE (the list of supported banks is available on the Google Pay website).
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If Google Pay doesn’t work, try resetting your NFC settings: disable the module, restart the phone, turn it back on and re-add the card to the app.
4. Diagnosing NFC Problems: Why Doesn't It Work?
If the NFC on the Redmi 9T is not on or is unstable, the reasons may be both software and hardware.
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| NFC is not turned on (slider is inactive) | There is no module in the hardware | Check the specifications of the model (see section 1) |
| The module is switched on but does not find a tag | Conflict with a cover or metal accessories | Remove the case, hold the phone to the tag antenna (top of the back panel) |
| The “NFC Stopped” Error in Payments | Failure in Google Play services | Clear the cache of Google Play Services in the application settings |
| The phone is not recognized by the payment terminal. | Disabled HCE in settings | Turn on Permission. HCE-payments (see section 2) |
For deep diagnostics of the hardware:
- Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application.
- Go to Phone Information → Equipment tests.
- Select the NFC Test and follow the instructions on the screen.
If the test shows an NFC chip not found error, it means that you have problems with:
- NFC antenna contacts (can oxidize or move away after falling).
- NFC chip itself (requires a replacement at the service center).
- Firmware (try to flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool).
⚠️ Note: If you have recently installed custom recovery (e.g, TWRP) or got root rights, NFC It may stop working due to a change in section /vendor. In this case, only a complete flashing with cleaning of all sections will help.
5. Alternative ways to use NFC on Redmi 9T
Payments aren't the only use of NFC, but here are 5 more useful scenarios for the Redmi 9T:
- 🔑 Automation: Apps like Tasker or Automate can configure touch actions NFC-So, for example, if you put your phone on a tablet tag, you automatically turn on Wi-Fi, Spotify opens, and you set the volume to 70%.
- 📲 Contact exchange: Applications of type NFC Tools allow you to transfer business cards, links or text notes to others NFC-device.
- 🚗 Smart home: Many Xiaomi Smart Home devices (such as Mi Smart Door Lock) support unlocking through the device. NFC. Just give Redmi a hand. 9T lock-in.
- 🎮 Gaming accessories: Some gamepads (for example, 8BitDo) plug in NFC fast-sync.
- 📦 Label reading: In shops or at exhibitions, often used NFC-tags for more information about the product.
For automation, we recommend NTAG213/215/216 tags - they are compatible with Redmi 9T and allow you to record up to 888 bytes of data. You can buy them on AliExpress (cost - from 50 rubles for 10 pieces).
How to sign up for a team NFC-marker 9T
Example of automation settings:
Let's say you want to put the tag on the bedside table on the phone and turn it into night mode.
- Create a Tasker task with actions: Set brightness: 10% Enable Do Not Disturb App Open: Sleep as Android
- In NFC Tools, write down the command to run this task.
- Place the mark on the nightstand - now it is enough to attach the phone before going to bed.
Firmware Comparison: Where Does NFC Work Better?
The functionality of NFC on Redmi 9T is highly dependent on the version of MIUI. We tested 4 popular firmware and compiled a comparison table:
| Firmware | Support for Google Pay | Mi Pay | Android Beam | NFC Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Global 12.5 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Medium (sometimes loses the connection) |
| MIUI China 13 | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (Chinese). SIM) | ❌ No. | Tall. |
| Xiaomi.EU 14 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. VPN) | ✅ Yes. | High (best option for NFC) |
| LineageOS 19 | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | Low (frequent failures) |
The table shows that Xiaomi.EU is the best choice for full-fledged NFC use on Redmi 9T, which combines support for Google Pay and Mi Pay, and offers advanced module settings, but its installation requires unlocking the bootloader, which cancels the warranty.
How to upgrade to Xiaomi.EU:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires linking the Mi Account to the device).
- Download the latest version of Xiaomi.EU for Redmi 9T (codename lime) from the official website.
- Install it via TWRP (instructions are in the archive with firmware).
- After installation, perform a data reset (Wipe → Format Data).
⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI China without root rights can not install Google Pay – the system blocks the installation APK. The only way out is to change the firmware or use alternative payment systems (for example, Samsung Pay via emulation).
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For maximum compatibility with banking applications, choose global or custom firmware (Xiaomi.EU). Chinese versions of MIUI restrict NFC functionality for foreign services.
7.Security: How to Protect NFC from Fraudsters
NFC-The devices are vulnerable to multiple types of attacks, and Redmi is vulnerable to these attacks. 9T Here are the main risks and ways to protect:
- 🕵️ Skimming: Attackers can read your bank card details through NFC at a distance of up to 10 cm Solution: use covers with RFID-protect or disable NFC, when not in use.
- 💸 Terminal swapping: Fraudsters can swap payment terminal data by redirecting payments to their account. Always check the store name on your phone screen before confirming.
- 📱 Data breach: Through NFC You can send malicious commands (like opening a phishing site) and don't bring your phone to unknown tags.
Safety recommendations:
- Turn off NFC in settings when not in use (e.g., on public transport).
- Set up an amount limit for contactless payments in the banking application.
- Use two-factor authentication to confirm payments.
- Check your transaction history regularly with your mobile bank.
For additional protection, install the app. NFC Secure – it blocks unauthorized attempts to access the module and logs all NFC-compound.