How to add a bank card to Xiaomi Redmi 9: NFC, Google Pay and Mi Pay

Adding a credit card to a Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone opens up contactless payments, discounts and bonuses. But many users face challenges: the NFC module does not turn on, the application does not see the card, the bank is not supported. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to add a card to Redmi 9 – from standard Google Pay to Chinese Mi Pay, as well as alternative solutions for devices without NFC.

We’ve tested the instructions on MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 firmware (including the global and Chinese versions), so you’ll find a suitable option. If your Redmi 9 doesn’t support contactless payments out of the box, don’t be too upset: there are workarounds at the end of the article.

Before you start, check out two key points:

1. Make sure your Redmi 9 is equipped with an NFC module. In the Redmi 9 (codenamed lancelot), it is available, but in some regional versions it can be disabled software.
2. Update your firmware to the latest version. Older MIUI builds often don’t support Google Pay or Mi Pay.

1.Verify NFC support on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Not all versions of Redmi 9 support contactless payments. For example, the Indian version of Redmi 9 Prime has NFC, and the basic Redmi 9C does not. To avoid errors, first make sure that your device is technically capable of working with payment systems.

How to check for NFC:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. If you don't have NFC, your model doesn't support the technology, and we'll discuss the alternatives in Section 5.
3. If NFC is available but not enabled, try resetting your network settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings).

Attention! In some MIUI firmware for Russia and CIS, the NFC is hidden to activate it:

1. Install QuickShortcutMaker from Google Play.
2. Find the action com.android.settings.NfcSettings and create a shortcut.
3. Open the shortcut and open the hidden NFC menu.

2. Add a card to Google Pay (recommended method)

Google Pay is the most versatile way for Redmi 9, as it works with most Russian and international banks, but there are nuances: on some MIUI firmware, the service may be blocked due to regional restrictions.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google Pay from the Play Market (if you don’t have one, use APKMirror).
2. Open the app and click Add the card.
3. Select a Credit or Debit Card and scan it with your camera (or enter the details manually).
4. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

If Google Pay is not certified, the error is:

• 🔹 Install the latest version of Google Services Framework.
• 🔹 Check if it's on. NFC Is it allowed to access it for Google Pay (Settings) → Annexes → Google Pay → Permits).
• 🔹 If it doesn’t help, use Magisk to pass SafetyNet (spoiler instructions).

Important: On MIUI firmware for China, Google Pay may not work even after all the manipulations, in which case you move to the Mi Pay method.

3. Adding a card to Mi Pay (for Chinese firmware)

Mi Pay is Xiaomi’s proprietary payment service, which runs on Chinese and global firmware, but it supports a limited list of banks (mostly Chinese and some European), a method rarely used in Russia and the CIS, but we will review it in case other options have not worked.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download the APK).
2. When you first start, accept the terms of use and link your Xiaomi account.
3. Click Add Card and select the bank from the list. If your bank is not available, the method is not suitable.
4. Enter the card details and confirm the operation via SMS.

Mi Pay restrictions:

• 🚫 Does not work with most Russian banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, etc.).
• 🚫 Requires Chinese or global firmware MIUI (Europeans may not be able to).
• 🚫 Supports only UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard cards from the authorized list.

💡

If Mi Pay doesn’t start, try changing the region in your Xiaomi account to “China” or “Hong Kong” in the Mi Account settings.

4. Set up a banking application with NFC

Many banks (e.g. Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank) offer their own applications that support contactless payments via NFC, a method that often works even where Google Pay is blocked.

How to add a card through the banking application:

1. Download the official application of your bank (for example, Sberbank Online or Tinkoff).
2. Sign in and go to the Cards or Payments section.
3. Find the option to add to contactless payments or NFC-payment.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually SMS confirmation is required).

Advantages of this method:

• 🔵 It works on all kinds of products, including Chinese.
• 🔵 No need to pass SafetyNet.
• 🔵 Supports the Bank’s bonus programs (cashback, discounts).

Disadvantages:

• 🔴 Each application has its own interface – there is no universal instruction.
• 🔴 Some banks limit contactless payments (e.g. up to 1,000).₽ without PIN-code).

Install the latest version of the bank application |Enable NFC in phone settings |Allow access to NFC for the banking application | Connect mobile Internet or Wi-Fi to confirm-->

5. Alternative ways to run Redmi 9 without NFC

If your Redmi 9 doesn't support NFC, contactless payments are still possible, with some limitations. Let's look at two working options.

Method 1: QR-codes

Most banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) allow you to pay for purchases through QR-That's what codes are for:

1. Open the bank application and find the Pay by QR section.
2. Put the camera on QR-terminal code (usually in stores near the cash register).
3. Confirm payment by SMS or fingerprint.

Method 2: Virtual cards in wallets

Services like Apple Pay (via family access), Samsung Pay (on some models) or Garmin Pay (for smartwatches) allow you to link a card to another device and pay them.

• 📱 If you have an iPhone or Samsung with NFC — Add the card there and use this phone for payments.
• ⌚ Link the card to a smartwatch (e.g. Mi Band 7 Pro or Amazfit) GTR (4) with support NFC.

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QR-Payments are the most universal way for devices without NFC, It requires a stable internet and does not work offline.

6. Solving common errors

When you add a map to Redmi 9, you often have typical problems, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Region of the phone: in settings Additional → The region must be your real region (not China).
• 🔧 Version MIUI: on old assemblies (below) MIUI 12) contactless payments may not work.
• 🔧 Root rights: If the phone is rooted, some payment systems are blocked.

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Before contacting the bank, check if your antivirus (such as Avast or Kaspersky) blocks access to NFC.

7.Back-ways for non-supported devices

If your Redmi 9 doesn't support NFC or your payment systems don't work, there are radical but powerful solutions that require technical skills, but they deliver 100% results.

Method 1: Firmware of the global MIUI

Chinese versions of Redmi 9 often lack support for Google Pay, and the solution is to flash the global version of MIUI:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool to install (instructions on xiaomi.eu).
3. After the firmware, reset settings (Settings → About the phone → Reset settings).

Method 2: Using Magisk and SafetyNet modules

If Google Pay is blocked due to root rights or custom firmware:

1. Install Magisk and activate MagiskHide.
2. Download Universal SafetyNet Fix and MagiskHide Props Config.
3. In MagiskHide Props Config, select the Pixel 5 certificate (the most compatible option).
4. Restart your phone and check the status in the YASNAC app.

⚠️ Attention: Global firmware MIUI Or you can install Magisk, which resets all the data on your phone. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)