How to add a bank card to Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for modern features, including contactless payments. NFC-In this article, we will discuss all available methods of card binding (via Google Pay, Mi Pay and banking applications), as well as solve common errors such as “device is not supported” or “failed to add a card».

The Mi 8 Pro is not officially certified to work with Google Pay in some regions, but this restriction can be circumvented.In addition, the smartphone supports the branded Mi Pay service, which operates in Russia, China and several other countries. We will take a closer look at both options, as well as alternative methods (for example, through bank applications).If you just bought a used device or updated your firmware, be sure to check the settings. NFC Security and security – they directly affect the success of the map binding.

1. Prepare the smartphone before adding the card

Before you start adding a credit card, you need to make sure that the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is ready to work with contactless payments «NFC Not supported or not certified».

First, check the version. MIUI Google Pay requires firmware at least lower for stable operation MIUI 12 (better MIUI 13/14), a for Mi Pay, at least MIUI 11. Update the system through Settings → The phone. → System Update: If there are no updates but your version is outdated, consider hand-held firmware (instructions are available on the forums). 4PDA Xiaomi Community).

• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest available version (minimum) MIUI 12).
• 🔒 Make sure the bootloader is unlocked (if you installed custom firmware).
• 📡 Activate mobile Internet or Wi-Fi – without a network card can not add.
• 🔄 Reset the settings. NFC In Settings → Connections → NFC (if there have been failures before).

Second, turn on NFC and set it up for payments:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. Activate the NFC slider.
3. Enable contactless payments (or) HCE Wallet for Google Pay).
4. Select the default app: Google Pay or Mi Pay (depending on the method you choose).

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), Google Pay may not work due to lack of SafetyNet certification. MIUI, or use Mi Pay or banking applications.

2.Adding a card via Google Pay

Google Pay is the most versatile way to link bank cards, but on the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro it often requires additional action due to the lack of official certification.If you see an error when adding a card, "the device is not certified", follow the instructions below.

First, install or update Google Pay through the Google Play Market.

1. Open the app and click "Add map"**.
2. Select “Credit or Debit Card”**.
3. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.

If an error occurs at this point, your device has not passed SafetyNet's test, and this is solved in two ways:

• 🔧 Magisk installation + Universal SafetyNet Fix (requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights).
• 📱 Use of alternative versions of Google Pay (e.g. Google Pay (NFC) from the developer apkmirror).

⚠️ Note: After installing Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix, be sure to check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app. If the check fails, try disabling other modules or changing the Magisk version.

Install the latest version of Google Pay|

Turn on NFC and HCE Wallet in the settings|

Check SafetyNet status (if necessary, install Magisk)|

Update MIUI last-minute-->

3.Adding a card via Mi Pay

Mi Pay is a Xiaomi-branded payment service that runs on the Mi 8 Pro without any further manipulation, and the main advantage is that it does not require SafetyNet or root rights, but the service is not available in all countries (Russia, China, India and some European countries are officially supported).

To add a card via Mi Pay:

1. Download the Mi Pay app from Google Play or the App Store (unless preinstalled).
2. Open the app and log in through your Xiaomi account.
3. Click Add Card and select the bank from the list of supported banks.
4. Enter the card data manually or scan it with the camera.
5. Confirm the binding via SMS or banking application.

If your bank is not listed, try adding a card through the bank app (many Russian banks, such as SberBank or Tinkoff, support a binding to Mi Pay directly).

• 🏦 Your card supports contactless payments (it must have the PayPass or PayWave logo on it).
• 📱 Mi Pay Settings Enables Default Use for Contactless Payments.
• 🔄 You have updated the Mi Pay app to the latest version.

4. Adding a card through the bank application

If neither Google Pay nor Mi Pay is suitable, the most reliable way is to use the official application of your bank. Most Russian banks (for example, Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) allow you to link the card to the bank. NFC-Smartphone directly, bypassing third-party services.

Here is how to do this with the example of Sberbank Online:

1. Install the SberBank Online application and log in.
2. Go to the “Cards” section and select the card you want.
3. Click "Add to" Apple/Google Pay (Yes, even for Android).
4. Select the option “Other wallet” or “Mi Pay” (if available).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to confirm the binding.

For other banks, the process may be slightly different, but the general scheme is as follows:

• 🏦 Open the bank application and find the contactless payments section, or «NFC».
• 📱 Select the option to add a card to a smartphone.
• 🔄 Confirm the operation through SMS push-notification.
• 📲 Set the application as default payment in the settings NFC.

⚠️ Note: Some banks (e.g. Gazprombank or Rosselkhozbank) may require contactless payments to be activated at the support department or by calling the call center. If there is an error when adding a card, check with the bank whether your smartphone model is supported.

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If the bank app does not see your Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro in the list of supported devices, try temporarily changing the region of the smartphone to Russia or India in the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region: Once a map is added, the region can be returned to the region.

5. Solving common mistakes

Even after the right setup NFC Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro users often encounter errors. Let's consider the most common problems and their solutions.

Error 1: “The device is not certified for Google Pay”

This error occurs because the Mi 8 Pro does not pass SafetyNet.

• 🔧 Install Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 📱 Use a modified version of Google Pay (e.g. GPay SQLite Fix).
• 🔄 Check if other Magisk modules are installed that may conflict with SafetyNet.

Mistake 2: «NFC does not support payments»

If in the settings NFC missing option HCE Wallet or Contactless Payments, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📱 An outdated version MIUI (refresh to MIUI 12+).
• 🔧 Resets reset NFC (Try restarting your smartphone).
• 🛠️ Damaged. NFC-Module (check if it works) NFC for other tasks, such as file transfers).

Mistake 3: “The bank is not supported”

If your bank doesn’t work with Google Pay or Mi Pay, try:

• 🏦 Add a card through the bank application.
• 📱 Use a virtual card (e.g. from Tinkoff or Revolut).
• 🔄 Check with the bank whether payments via Mi Pay are supported for your smartphone model.

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If none of these methods work, check if they are blocked. NFC-a module at the hardware level (for example, after the fall of the smartphone), in which case repairs will be required in the service center.

6.Setting up payments by default

Once you've successfully added a card, you need to configure it as your primary payment method so you don't have to choose your wallet every time you buy it. NFC and the payment application itself.

For Google Pay:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections → NFC.
2. In the Payments section, select Google Pay.
3. In the Google Pay app itself, go to Settings → Payment methods and select the added card as the main one.

For Mi Pay:

1. Open the Settings. → Connections → NFC.
2. Select Mi Pay as the default app.
3. In Mi Pay, click on the card and activate the “Use by default” option**.

If you use a banking application, the setting may be different, for example, SberBank Online needs to:

1. Open the maps section**.
2. Select a tied card.
3. Click on “Set up payments” and enable the option “Use for contactless payments”.

⚠️ Note: If you use multiple payment apps (like Google Pay and Mi Pay), your smartphone may request a wallet selection with each payment.

7.Security of contactless payments on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro

Contactless payments through NFC The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro has several layers of protection, but the user should also follow the basic rules:

• 🔒 Set the screen lock (PIN, A pattern lock or a fingerprint without it, payments through NFC will not be available.
• 📱 Do not store card data in unreliable applications (for example, in notes or screenshots).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI Payment applications – new versions close vulnerabilities.
• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication in your Google and Xiaomi account.

Additional security measures:

• 🚨 Turn it off. NFC, When you don’t use payments (this will also save battery life).
• 📵 Do not hand over your smartphone to an outsider with it on NFC — This may result in unauthorized payments.
• 🔍 Check the transaction history in the banking application after each payment.

If you suspect that your card details have been compromised (for example, after losing your smartphone), immediately:

1. Block the card through a bank application or a call in support.
2. Remove the card from all payment services (Google Pay, Mi Pay).
3. Reset your smartphone settings to factory (if it was lost).

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To turn it off quickly. NFC If you lose your phone, use the Find Device feature** from Xiaomi or Google. You can use the web interface to lock your smartphone and remotely erase data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about adding a map to Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro