Contactless payments through smartwatches have long ceased to be exotic β it is a convenient way to pay for purchases without having to get a smartphone or wallet. However, not all Xiaomi models support NFC technology, and among those that support there are nuances with regional compatibility and functionality. If you plan to buy the Mi Band or Mi Watch specifically for payment by card, it is important to know in advance which versions are equipped with an NFC chip and whether they work with popular payment systems like Mi Pay, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
In this article, we have collected the current list for 2026 of all Xiaomi smart watches and fitness bracelets with NFC, understand their capabilities, limitations and configuration features. You will also learn which models are officially sold in Russia with support for contactless payments, and which require additional manipulations to activate the function.
Why is NFC in Xiaomi smartwatches not always obvious?
NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is primarily used for contactless payments in smartwatches, but its availability depends on several factors:
- π¦ Regional version of the device. The same model can be produced in variants with NFC For example, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 in the global version is often devoid of a module, while the Chinese version (Mi Smart Band 7) NFC) has.
- π³ Support for payment systems, even if the watch is equipped with NFC, They can only work with Mi Pay (Chinese system) or require a link to Google Pay via a smartphone.
- π± Smartphone compatibility: Some models (like the Mi Watch) require a Xiaomi phone to set up payments, others work with any Android device.
- π Firmware updates. In rare cases, support NFC It may be after the software update (as it was with the Mi Band 6). NFC for certain regions).
Xiaomi also doesnβt always explicitly state NFC in the global version of devices, such as the Mi Band 8 description on the official website for Russia, which may not mention contactless payments, although the Chinese version (Mi Smart Band 8 NFC) supports them, creating confusion among buyers.
β οΈ Note: If you buy Xiaomi outside of China (for example, in Russia or Europe), check the article of the device from the seller. NFC often have a suffix in the title NFC (for example, XMSH15HM For the Mi Band 7 NFC).
Full list of Xiaomi smartwatches and bracelets with NFC (2026)
Below is an updated list of all Xiaomi devices (including Redmi and Amazfit sub-brands) that officially or unofficially support NFC technology.
| Model | Type of device | Support for NFC | Payment systems | Sales region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 8 NFC | Fitness bracelet | β Yeah. NXP PN80T) | Mi Pay, Alipay (China), Google Pay (via smartphone) | China, some Asian countries |
| Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 7 NFC | Fitness bracelet | β Yeah. NXP PN80T) | Mi Pay, limited support for Google Pay | China, Russia (informally) |
| Xiaomi Mi Watch (1st generation) | Smart watches | β Yes (Chinese version only) | Mi Pay, Alipay | China |
| Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite | Smart watches | β No. | β | Global market |
| Xiaomi Watch S1 / S1 Pro / S1 Active | Smart watches | β Yes, all versions) | Mi Pay, Google Pay (via Wear OS) | Global Market (including Russia) |
| Redmi Watch 3 Active | Smart watches | β No. | β | Global market |
| Amazfit GTR 4 / GTS 4 | Smart watches | β Yes, only Chinese versions) | Alipay, Mi Pay | China, some Asian countries |
Important: In Russia, only Xiaomi Watch S1 and Watch S1 Pro with NFC support and Google Pay compatibility are officially sold. The remaining models (for example, Mi Band 7/8 NFC) require the purchase of the Chinese version and manual adjustment.
How to check if there is NFC in your Xiaomi watch?
If you already own a Xiaomi device and arenβt sure if you have NFC, there are a few ways to check it out:
- View the specs in Mi Fitness or Zepp Life: Open the app, connect the watch. Go to Device β Device. Find NFC or Contactless Payments.
Check the physical location of the chip:
In most Xiaomi models, the NFC antenna is on the back of the body (near the heart rate sensor).If there is a metal contact with the NFC label, the module is present.
Mi Pay
:
In the Mi Fitness app, go to Profile β Mi Pay. If the option is available, then NFC is supported.
β οΈ Note: Some sellers indicate support in the product description NFC For all versions of the device, although the module is actually only available in Chinese versions. Always check the article! NFC articulate XMSH15HM, without him β XMSH14HM.
βοΈ How to Make Sure Your Xiaomi Watch Supports Your Business NFC
How to set up contactless payments on Xiaomi Watches with NFC?
The setup process NFC-Payments depend on the clock model and the region:
1. Mi Pay setup on Chinese versions (Mi Band 7/8 NFC, Mi Watch)
For devices purchased in China or Asia, card binding via Mi Pay is available:
- Install the latest version of the Mi Fitness app (for Mi Band) or Wear (for Mi Watch).
- Connect the watch to the app and update the firmware to the current version.
- Go to the Profile section β Mi Pay.
- Click Add Card and follow the instructions. You will need to link a bank card (supported UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard depending on the region).
- After adding the card, activate the Quick Payments option in the clock settings.
To pay, you just need to double-click on the clock button (or swipe across the screen, depending on the model) and bring the device to the terminal.
2. Google Pay setup on global versions (Watch S1, Watch S2)
Wear OS models (such as the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro) support Google Pay:
- Install the Google Wallet app on your smartphone.
- Connect your watch to your phone via Wear OS.
- In the Google Wallet app, select Add to your smartwatch.
- Follow the instructions for adding a card. Make sure the bank supports Google Pay for wearables.
You can pay from the clock without taking your phone out, and click the Google Pay button on the watch screen and bring it to the terminal.
π‘
If your bank doesnβt support a direct card-to-watch peg, try adding a virtual card (like from Tinkoff or Sberbank) via Google Pay or Mi Pay.
Can I add NFC to a Xiaomi watch if I donβt?
Unfortunately, it's not possible to add NFC to a device that doesn't have a chip in the first place, but there are a few workarounds.
- π Buying the Chinese version. If you're critically interested in contactless payment, look for suffix models. NFC In the title (for example, Mi Smart Band 8) NFC). They can be ordered on AliExpress or in Chinese online stores.
- π± Using a smartphone to pay if the watch doesn't support NFC, But you have a smartphone with this feature, set up Google Pay or Apple Pay on your phone.
- π³ Stickers from NFC. There are stickers with a chip. NFC, They mimic a bank card, but require a pre-recording of data through a special application (for example, NFC Tools.Constraint - limited compatibility with terminals.
β οΈ Note: When buying a Chinese version of the watch NFC Note that setting up Mi Pay may require a Chinese phone number and Xiaomi account with a China connection, and in some cases, changing the region of the account in the settings helps.
How to change the Xiaomi account region to set up Mi Pay?
Xiaomi Watch S1 vs Mi Band 7 NFC: Which is Best for Payments?
If your primary goal is contactless payments, itβs worth comparing two popular NFC models:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro | Mi Smart Band 7 NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Type of device | Smart watches (Wear OS) | Fitness bracelet |
| Support for Google Pay | β Yes. | β No, only Mi Pay) |
| Autonomy | 14 days | 15 days |
| Screen. | AMOLED, 1.47" | AMOLED, 1.62" |
| Price (2026) | ~15 000 β½ | ~5 000 β½ (Chinese) |
| Regional compatibility | Global (including Russia) | China, Asia (unofficially in Russia) |
The takeaway: Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is the best choice for those who want a full-fledged smartwatch with Google Pay support and global compatibility. Mi Band 7 NFC is cheaper, but only suitable for Mi Pay and requires buying a Chinese version.
π‘
If you need an NFC watch for payment in Russia, choose the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro β this is the only model with official support for Google Pay and global firmware.
Frequent NFC issues on Xiaomi watches and their solutions
Users often have difficulty setting up or using NFC on Xiaomi devices, and consider the typical problems and ways to solve them:
- π΄ Mi Pay does not see the card Reason: the Bank does not support binding to wearable devices or the region of the Xiaomi account does not correspond to the region of the card.Solution: Try adding a virtual card (for example, Tinkoff Black or Sberbank Premium) or change the region of the account to China.
- π΄ The clock is not recognized by the terminal Reason: Weak signal NFC or incompatibility with the terminal (e.g., older terminal models do not support payments from wearable devices) Solution: Bring the watch as close to the terminal as possible (antennae) NFC If it doesn't work, try paying with your phone.
- π΄ NFC Disabled after the update Reason: Some firmware bugs with the module occur NFC. Solution: Check for updates in the Mi Fitness app or roll back to the previous version of the software (if available).
- π΄ You canβt add a card to Google Pay on Watch S1 Reason: Bank does not support wearables or Google Pay region does not match card region Solution: Check with bank for Google Pay support for smartwatches. Alternative is to use a virtual card.
If none of these solutions worked, please contact Xiaomi to provide a watch model, firmware version, and a description of the problem.