Contactless payment from Xiaomi phone: everything you need to work for NFC and Google Pay

Contactless payments via a smartphone have long ceased to be a curiosity — today it is a standard way of payment in stores, cafes and transport. Xiaomi phone owners can use this feature as well as owners of flagships Samsung or Apple, but this requires the right setup and choose the right tools. In this article, we will analyze everything you need for contactless payment from a Xiaomi phone: from checking the compatibility of the model to solving typical problems with NFC and payment systems.

It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi smartphones support contactless payments out of the box, such as the Redmi Note series budget models or the “Backage” model. POCO They may have region or firmware restrictions, and we'll give you a detailed look at how to check for them. NFC-The chip, what apps you'll need to pay for, and what to do if the terminal doesn't read data from your phone. MIUI, This will help you to speed up the payment process and make it safer.

If you’re just planning to buy a Xiaomi smartphone and want to be sure of supporting contactless payments, we’ve got a list of NFC models and a comparison of their capabilities. And for those who have already encountered bugs like “The device does not support contactless payments” or “Card is not added,” we’ve prepared step-by-step troubleshooting instructions.

What Xiaomi phones support contactless payment

The first thing to find out is whether your smartphone has Xiaomi NFC-Contactless payments are impossible without it, and unfortunately not all Xiaomi models are equipped with this feature, especially in the budget segment. 9A or POCO M3 lack NFC, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Support technology at the hardware level.

To avoid guessing, check out Xiaomi’s list of NFC models (relevant to 2026):

📱 Flagship series: Xiaomi 14/13/12 (All modifications), Mix Fold 3/2, Black Shark 5/6 Pro
📱 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 12/11 Pro+, POCO F5/F4 Pro, Xiaomi Civi 3/2
📱 Budgetary models with NFC: Redmi Note 10 Pro (not all regions), POCO X5 Pro, Redmi K50i
🚫 Models without NFC: Redmi 10A, POCO M5, Redmi Note 10 (Basic Version)

Note that even if the model theoretically supports NFC, in some regions (such as India or China), the chip may be software-disabled by the manufacturer. To find out exactly if there is NFC in your phone, follow these steps:

Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
If there is no "NFC" item, check through the AIDA64 application ("Dachiki" section).
For models with MIUI 14+, you can use a voice assistant: say “OK, Google, turn on NFC.”

📊 Your Xiaomi phone supports your phone. NFC?

Yeah, it works no problem.

Yeah, but with mistakes.

No NFC.

I don't know how to check.

What you need to set up contactless payments

If your Xiaomi smartphone is equipped with NFC, you will need to pay for the phone:

The payment application is Google Pay (for Visa/Mastercard cards) or Mi Pay (for Chinese banks).
A contactless payment card (usually marked with a symbol) 📶).
Stable Internet connection (for the first card binding).
Updated firmware – MIUI below version 12.5 may have errors with NFC.

The most popular option for Russia and Europe is Google Pay.

Make sure that NFC is enabled in the settings

Update Google Play Services in the App Store

Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet

Have a bank card with contactless payments support-->

If you use Mi Pay (relevant to China or Alipay account holders), you will need to:

📲 Install Mi Pay from the Mi App Store (not available on Google Play).
💳 Linking a Chinese bank card or Alipay account.
🔒 Confirming identity through SMS Passport scan (for some banks).

Important: Mi Pay does not work with Russian and European banks, and only Google Pay or alternatives like Samsung Pay are suitable for these regions (but they require a change of firmware to Xiaomi).

💡

If your bank doesn’t support Google Pay, try adding a card through a bank app (like SberBank Online or Tinkoff).Many banks now allow you to link virtual cards for contactless payments.

Step-by-step instructions: how to set up payment by phone

Consider the setup process using Google Pay (the most versatile option for Xiaomi), which is relevant for MIUI 13/14:

Turn on NFC: Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC. Activate the "NFC" switch. Turn on the "Contactless Payments" option (if any).
Install Google Pay: Download the app from Google Play. Open it and log in to your Google account.
Add a bank card: Click Add Card → Credit or debit card. Scan the card or enter the data manually. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

Set up the screen lock:

Google Pay requires screen protection (PIN, pattern lock, or fingerprint).
Go to Settings → Lock screen → Lock type and set a password.

Wherever NFC-Xiaomi antenna?

In most Xiaomi models, the antenna is located at the top of the back cover (near the camera), except for the metal-framed model (e.g. Xiaomi Mix 4), where the antenna can be shifted to the center. To find out exactly where you are, look at the technical documentation for your model or test the phone to the terminal by different sides.

Table: comparison of contactless payment methods on Xiaomi

Not all payment systems are equally convenient, and here is a comparison of the main options for Xiaomi smartphones:

Payment method	Supported banks	Internet is required	It works without unlocking.	Commission
Google Pay	Visa, Mastercard, MIR (partially)	Only to add a map	No.	No commission.
Mi Pay	Chinese banks, Alipay	Yes (for every transaction)	No.	Depends on the bank.
Banking application (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff)	Only the bank's cards.	Sometimes.	Depends on the bank.	No commission.
Samsung Pay (via patch)	Visa, Mastercard, World	No.	Yes (on some firmware)	No commission.

Important: Samsung Pay is not officially supported on Xiaomi, but some enthusiasts install it through modified firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) This can result in a bank card lock or loss of warranty.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if it’s set up correctly, there can be errors when paying with Xiaomi’s phone, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

❌ "Device does not support contactless payments: Check if it is enabled NFC Update Google Pay and Google Play services. If used MIUI For China, switch to the global version.
❌ Terminal doesn't see phone: Try bringing the phone to terminal by the other side (the antenna may not be where you think it is) Turn off case - some metal or thick cases block signal.Reset phone and terminal.
❌ Payment doesn't work the first time: Make sure the screen is unlocked. NFC Turn off the "Only when the screen is unlocked" option (if any). NFC with other wireless modules (for example, with a Bluetooth headset).
Use Xiaomi’s Find Device feature (i.mi.com) to lock your phone or erase data.

If nothing helps, try paying with another card – it could be a problem in the terminal.

Can I pay with Xiaomi phone in the subway or transport?

Yes, but there are nuances: In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you need to use the Troika or Metro apps to pay for your phone (not suitable for Mi Pay). In other cities, check whether the local transport system supports contactless payments via a smartphone (for example, in Kazan or Novosibirsk).

Why does Google Pay ask you to unlock your phone before every payment?

This is a security requirement. Google Pay does not allow payments to be made on a locked screen to prevent unauthorized transactions. However, on some Xiaomi models (such as Xiaomi 13T), you can enable the payment option without unlocking: Go to Settings → Lock screen → Additional. Find the option “Allow NFC with a locked screen” and turn it on. If this option is not available, your model does not support this feature.

Can I use Xiaomi phone abroad?

Yes, but there are limitations: 🌍 Google Pay works with international maps Visa/Mastercard most countries. 🚫 In some countries, such as China, Google Pay is blocked, where Alipay or WeChat Pay are used. 💳 Before traveling, check with your bank whether contactless payments abroad are allowed (some banks block them by default). 📱 Make sure that data roaming is enabled on the phone – for the first payment in a new country, you may need to confirm via the Internet.

How to transfer Google Pay cards to a new Xiaomi phone?

Google Pay cards are linked to a Google account, not a device. To transfer them to a new Xiaomi: On an old phone, delete the cards from Google Pay (optional). On a new phone, log in to the same Google account. Install Google Pay and add the cards again (they will pull up from the account, but you will need a bank confirmation). If the cards do not show, check: The new phone has NFC on. The latest version of Google Pay is installed. The new phone is not on Chinese firmware (it can block Google services).