Contactless payment from Xiaomi phone: the full guide NFC, Mi Pay and QR-codes in 2026

Why Xiaomi is more convenient than cards for payment

Xiaomi smartphones are no longer just phone devices, they are wallets. Contactless payments through the phone save time, reduce the risk of card loss and add security through biometric authentication. But how does it work in practice? Unlike Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, the Xiaomi ecosystem offers several unique solutions, from built-in Mi Pay to support for third-party services like Google Pay and SberPay.

The main advantage is the versatility. your Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5 You can also pay for the purchase at the supermarket via the terminal with NFC, And a little cafe through QR-code, even in transportation (which supports contactless cards), without having to carry a physical card or fear that it will be inclined, but to work smoothly, you have to set up your phone correctly, and many users face nuances.

In this guide, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can use contactless payments, from basic NFC setups to typical “Device Not Supported” errors or the lack of Mi Pay options in your country, and which Xiaomi models (including budget Redmis and Black Shark gaming) support payment methods.

1. Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi support contactless payment

Before you set up payments, make sure your Xiaomi smartphone is capable of doing so at all.The key component is the module. NFC (Near Field Communication, but without it, you can pay through the QR-codes or online services. Here's how to determine the capabilities of your device:

• 🔍 NFC-Chip: Check the model specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the Settings app → The phone. → Full specs. Look for a line "NFC: For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro and POCO X5 Pro supports NFC, Redmi. 10A — no.
• 📱 Mi Pay: The service is only available on devices with MIUI (not POCO It's running Android, and in a limited number of countries (Russia, China, India, etc.) and in Europe and the United States, it's being replaced by Google Pay.
• 💳 Google Pay/SberPay: Works on all smartphones NFC Android version 5.0+. SberPay additionally requires SberBank Online application.
• 🖼️ QR-codes: Supported by all Xiaomi models, but payment requires an established banking service (e.g. Tinkoff or Alpha Click).

Important: Even if your Xiaomi has NFC, some banks may block the addition of cards to Mi Pay or Google Pay due to regional restrictions.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), Mi Pay and Google Pay may not work due to lack of Google Mobile Services certification (GMS). Before the firmware check compatibility!

2. NFC setup on Xiaomi: step-by-step instruction

If your smartphone supports NFC, the first thing you do is turn on this module. On Xiaomi with the MIUI shell, the path to settings may vary depending on the firmware version. Here's a generic algorithm:

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing (or Settings → Wireless Networks on older versions of MIUI).
2. Slip on NFC.
3. Activate the NFC switch and select the default Card mode (for payment) or the Transport Card (for subway).
4. In the Default Payment section, specify your preferred service: Mi Pay, Google Pay or other.

On POCO or Black Shark devices with pure Android, the path will be different: Settings → Connected Devices → Connection settings → NFC.

After activating NFC, check it: bring your phone to another device with NFC enabled (for example, to the Mi Smart Speaker column) – an audible signal or vibration should appear.

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Is the payment service selected by default?

Is the phone screen unlocked (NFC only works when unlocked)?

Does the terminal support contactless payments (look for logo) 🌐 or 📱)?

-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro) NFC It can conflict with metal covers or magnetic holders. If payment fails, remove the case and try again.

3. Mi Pay: How to tie a card and pay in stores

Mi Pay is Xiaomi’s proprietary payment service integrated into MIUI, and supports Visa, Mastercard, World (in Russia) and some local payment systems (e.g. UnionPay in China) to start using:

1. Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download from the Mi App Store or Google Play).
2. When you first start, accept the terms of use and allow access to NFC.
3. Click Add a card and scan it with the camera or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the addition via SMS from the bank (the code will come to the number associated with the card).
5. Once the link is successfully linked, the card will appear on the list.

To pay for the purchase: Unlock the phone → Bring him to the terminal. → Confirm with a fingerprint or PIN-code.

Mi Pay supports tokenization, which means that the real card number is not transmitted to the terminal, but a virtual ID is used, which protects against fraud, even if the data is intercepted.

Mi Pay|Google Pay|SberPay|QR-codes (Tinkoff, Sberbank)|Another option-->

Google Pay and SberPay: Mi Pay alternatives

If Mi Pay is not available in your area or your bank is not supported, use Google Pay or SberPay.These services work on all Xiaomi smartphones with NFC and Android 5.0+.

Setting up Google Pay:

1. Download the Google Pay app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and log in to your Google account.
3. Click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
4. Scan the map or enter the data manually.
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

SberPay setup:

1. Install the SberBank Online application.
2. Sign in and go to the Payments section → SberPay.
3. Follow the instructions for linking the card to the service.
4. Enable the option of Pay by NFC in the card settings.

The main difference from Mi Pay: Google Pay and SberPay require an internet connection when you first add a card, but you do not need an offline mode to pay.

💡

If the terminal does not accept payment from the phone, try to bring it to the top of the smartphone – that’s where it is located. NFC-chip (usually next to the camera).

5. Payment for QR-code: if NFC unsupported

Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with NFC (For example, a budget Redmi 10 or POCO M4). In this case, help comes to the rescue. QR-This is a method that works in most cafes, shops, even some gas stations:

1. Install a banking application that supports QR-Payment (e.g. Tinkoff, Sberbank Online, Alpha Click).
2. In the store, ask the seller to generate QR-payment code (usually displayed at the cashier or terminal).
3. Open the banking application and select the option to Pay by QR.
4. Put the phone camera on QR-code and confirm payment.

Advantages QR-payment:

✅ It works without. NFC (suitable for any smartphone).

✅ Often gives cashback (for example, in Tinkoff up to 5%).

✅ You can even pay from a locked screen (in some banks).

Disadvantages:

❌ Slower than NFC (You need to open the application and scan the code).

❌ Not all stores support QR (Unlike contactless terminals).

💡

QR-Payment is the only way to contactless payments on Xiaomi without any NFC. But for safety, never scan. QR-codes from suspicious websites or messages – this could be phishing!

6.Security: How to Protect Payments for Xiaomi

Contactless payments are convenient but require a heightened focus on security, and here are the key rules for Xiaomi owners:

• 🔒 Screen lock: Always use the PIN, fingerprint or face recognition without unlocking NFC-payments are not working.
• 📵 "On the plane" mode: in the subway or transport, turn off NFC, If you don’t use it, it will prevent accidental write-offs.
• 🛡️ Two-factor authentication: Enable it in banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff).
• 🔄 Updates: Update regularly MIUI, Google Pay and banking applications – they close vulnerabilities.

Critical vulnerability: On some Xiaomi smartphones with root rights (root) or unlocked bootloader (bootloader), Google Pay and Mi Pay can block the addition of cards due to a security breach, in which case only a factory reset will help.

If the phone is stolen:

1. Block the cards through bank applications or a call in support.

2. Remove your device from your Google account (myaccount.google.com → Security → Your Devices).

3. Use the Find Device function in MIUI to remotely lock.

⚠️ Attention: Never save. PIN-codes from cards in notes or screenshots on your phone that scammers can access through malicious apps or data leaks.

7. Problem Solving: Why Contactless Payment Doesn't Work

Even after setting up the right payment with Xiaomi may not work, here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved:

1. Check if the card has been added to the bank’s blacklist (sometimes after suspicious transactions).

2. Remove the card from the payment service and add it again.

3. Reset your NFC settings (Settings → Applications → Application Management → NFC → Storage → Clear Data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about contactless payment on Xiaomi