How to enable NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: a detailed guide with pictures and tips

Introduction: NFC in Redmi Note 7 – myth or reality?

Many Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 owners are faced with confusion: does their smartphone support NFC technology, and if so, how to activate it? The fact is that there are two versions of this device — global (Redmi Note 7) and Chinese (Redmi Note 7 Pro for domestic market), and only the second one is equipped with the default NFC chip. If you bought a device in Russia or Europe, most likely, the contactless module is not physically in it. But how to check this?

In this article, we will understand how to determine the presence of NFC-The chip in your Redmi Note 7, how to enable the feature (if available), configure contactless payments via Google Pay or Mi Pay, and consider alternative solutions for models without an embedded module. NFC Not working after the update MIUI or fails to detect marks.

Step 1: Check for availability NFC-chip in the Redmi Note 7

Before you try to turn on NFC, make sure your smartphone supports the technology at all. Here are three reliable ways to check:

• 🔍 View the model in settings: go to Settings → The phone. → If the name has the word "Pro" in it, or if you bought it in China, chances are you're in the market. NFC Global versions above (M1901F7G, M1901F7H) usually lacking module.
• 📦 Check the box: on the sticker on the back of the package look for the inscription "NFC" Or a contactless icon, and if you don't have one, there's no physical chip.
• 🔧 Use the diagnostic menu: enter the code ##4636## in the phone app, select "Phone Information" and scroll down "NFC" — module is present.

Important: Even if the settings don't have "NFC," it doesn't always mean there's no chip, but sometimes the function is hidden in the firmware and requires activation through the engineering menu.

Step 2: Enable NFC through standard MIUI settings

If your Redmi Note 7 supports NFC, it can be turned on in a few steps. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (10-14), but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions).
3. Slip on the NFC item (can be called Contactless Payments).
4. Activate the NFC slider at the top of the screen.
5. Optionally, enable Android Beam (for data sharing between devices) and Default Payment (for Google Pay or Mi Pay).

If you don’t have an NFC option on the menu, try updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI or use an alternative activation method (described below).

Step 3: Alternative ways to turn on NFC (if the standard one doesn't work)

Sometimes the NFC in Redmi Note 7 is hidden in the firmware or disabled at the system level, and here are two working methods for activating it:

Method 1: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

This method requires caution, as changes in the engineering menu can affect the stability of the phone.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code: ##3646633##


2. Go to the "Hardware Testing" section → "NFC".




3. Press "Turn On NFC" (if available).




4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Using the NFC Tools application

Download the NFC Tools app from Google Play, which not only checks for a chip, it can also be forced to turn it on:

• 📱 Open the app and press "Check". NFC".
• 🔄 If the chip is available but disabled, the "Enable" button will appear. NFC".
• ⚙️ After activation, restart the phone.

Step 4: Configure contactless payments (Google Pay, Mi Pay, SberPay)

Once you turn on NFC, you can link your bank cards to pay from your phone, and let's look at three popular services:

Important: Some banks (e.g. Sberbank) may block payments via Google Pay on phones with an unlocked bootloader, in which case use Mi Pay or SberPay.

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Before you make your first NFC payment, add Google Pay or Mi Pay to your Battery Optimization Exclusions list (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization) to prevent any payment disruptions.

Step 5: Troubleshooting – Why is NFC not working?

If NFC is on but not functioning, check the following:

• 🔋 Battery charge: At a charge level below 5%, contactless payments can be blocked.
• 📶 Cover interference: Metal or thick covers shield the signal. remove the cover before payment.
• 🔄 Application conflict: some programs (antiviruses, optimizers) block NFC. Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits → NFC.
• 📱 Firmware failure: after update MIUI driver might fly NFC. Try resetting your network settings or rolling back to the previous firmware version.

⚠️ Attention: if after activation NFC phone stopped seeing SIM-This may indicate a hardware malfunction of the antenna module, which requires a diagnostic at the service center.

Step 6: NFC Alternatives for Redmi Note 7 without a chip

If your Redmi Note 7 doesn't support NFC, don't despair!

• 💳 Contactless Cards: Link a physical card to Google Pay via a photo (some banks support virtual cards).
• 🔄 External NFC-tags: buy a sticker with NFC-chip (cost) ~200–500 ₽) And put it on the phone. You'll need an app to work. NFC Tools.
• 📱 Switching to a different smartphone: if contactless payments are critical, consider Xiaomi models with a new smartphone. NFC: Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3 NFC, or Mi 10T.

Example of use of external label:

1. Buy it. NFC-sticker (e.g, NTAG213 or NTAG215).
2. Download NFC Tools and tag the card details (if the bank supports tokenization).
3. Attach the sticker to the back of the phone and use it for payment by bringing the phone to the terminal.

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External NFC-Tags are a temporary solution, and they don’t support dynamic code generation (like Google Pay), so they’re less secure for payments.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC in Redmi Note 7