How to pay for a card on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working ways

Paying with a bank card through a Xiaomi smartphone has become as familiar as paying with cash — but only if you know how to set up the system correctly. Many users face problems: NFC does not work, Mi Pay does not see the card, the store refuses to accept contactless payment. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of payment by card on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices in 2026 — from pegging through Google Pay to paying at the Mi Store.

It's important to understand that payment options are not just dependent on the phone model, but also on the firmware region, the MIUI version, and even the bank that issued your card. We've compiled proven instructions for Global, EEA, and Russian firmware, and we've explained why sometimes payment doesn't go through despite the right settings. If you want to pay by card in transport, online stores, or offline checkouts, you'll find a solution for any situation.

1. Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for payment by card

Before you tie your card, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for contactless payments.

• 📱 Model phone: NFC All flagships are supported (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix Fold and most mid-budget models (Redmi Note) 12, POCO X5). Check the specifications of your model on the official website.
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: Mi Pay is required for you MIUI 12.5 or later, on older versions (e.g, MIUI (11) functionality may be limited.
• 🌍 Firmware region: In Chinese ROM Google Pay doesn't work without a root license. EEA firmware.
• 🏦 Bank card: Mastercard, Visa and MIR are supported (for Russian users); UnionPay cards are only available in China.

If your phone doesn’t support you NFC, You can still pay with a card through the Mi Store or scanning. QR-- For the code in the banking applications. NFC Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → NFC If you don't have a point, your model doesn't have a chip.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) NFC Don't buy a contactless phone without checking the specifications!

2. Payment via Mi Pay (official decision from Xiaomi)

Mi Pay is Xiaomi's signature contactless payment service, the equivalent of Apple Pay or Google Pay, built into MIUI firmware and works without any additional apps. Here's how to set it up:

1. Open the Mi Pay app, or white wave blue card icon, if you don't have one, download it from the Mi App Store.
2. Click Add Card and select the type: credit or debit.
3. Scan the card with the camera or enter the data manually: number, expiration date, CVC-code.
4. Confirm the binding via SMS from the bank (the code will come to the number associated with the card).
5. Create. PIN-code for confirming payments (minimum 4 digits).

Once the card is tied, you can pay at stores that support contactless payments.

1. Unlock your phone (PIN, fingerprint or Face ID).
2. Bring the top of the smartphone to the terminal at a distance of 2-5 cm.
3. Wait for the vibration and the sound signal – the payment has passed.

In Russia, since 2022, Mi Pay supports maps of the world, but only on firmware with the region "Russia" (not EEA/Global).

Is the card linked in the app?

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Is the phone unlocked?

Does the terminal support contactless payment?-->

3. Payment via Google Pay (alternative to global firmware)

If Mi Pay doesn’t work (for example, on Chinese ROM or with UnionPay cards), use Google Pay.This service is universal and supports most bank cards.

• 📲 Install Google Pay from the Play Market (unless preinstalled).
• 💳 Open the app and click Add the map → Credit or debit card.
• 📸 Scan the map or enter data manually.MIR maps may require manual input.
• 🔒 Confirm the binding through SMS or push notification from the bank.
• 🔐 Set the lock screen (PIN, pattern lock or Biometrics – Google Pay won’t allow payments without it.

To pay via Google Pay:

1. Unlock the phone.
2. Bring it to the terminal (no need to open the application).
3. Select the card on the screen (if several are tied).
4. Confirm the payment with a fingerprint or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) Google Pay may not work due to uncertified firmware. Check certification status in Settings → The phone. → Certification status. If it says "Not certified," payments are blocked.

Mi Pay|Google Pay|Both options |Not used |Other-->

4.Payment by card in Mi Store and other Xiaomi apps

If you buy products from the Mi Store or pay for subscriptions (such as Mi Cloud), the card can be linked directly to the app, which is convenient for online purchases without having to enter details every time.

Instructions for the Mi Store:

1. Open the Mi Store app and go to Profile → Settings → Payments.
2. Click Add Payment Method → Bank Card.
3. Enter the card number, expiration date and CVC-For maps of the world, you may need to specify the name of the owner of the Latin alphabet.
4. Confirm the binding via SMS or a banking application (for example, SberBank Online).

Once pegged, the card will be available for one-click payment. Importantly, Visa, Mastercard and MIR cards are supported in the Mi Store, but not all banks allow payments in overseas stores. If payment does not pass, contact the bank and request transaction unlocking for Xiaomi Inc.

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If you make a “Plese use another payment method” error in the Mi Store, try linking your card via the browser version of the store (mi.com).

5. Payment through banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.)

Many Russian banks offer their own solutions for contactless payments via NFC, such as SberBank Online or Tinkoff, which allow you to pay with a phone without Google Pay or Mi Pay, and the advantage of this method is support for MIR cards and faster transaction speeds.

Instructions for Sberbank Online:

1. Install the latest version of the SberBank Online app.
2. Log in and go to the Maps section.
3. Select the desired card and click Payment by phone.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to activate SberPay.
5. Turn on NFC in your phone settings.

For payment:

• Unlock the phone.
• Open Sberbank Online and select a card.
• Bring the phone to the terminal.
• Confirm the payment in the application (PIN or biometrics).

The same applies to Tinkoff, VTB Online and Alpha-Click, and the main advantage is that you don't have to link the card to third-party services, all the data is stored in the banking application.

⚠️ Note: Some banks (e.g. Gazprombank) block contactless payments through the NFC, If the phone has custom firmware installed or the bootloader is unlocked. OEM Unlock in Settings → For developers.

6. Solving card payment problems on Xiaomi

If the payment does not pass, the reasons and ways to eliminate them:

If the problem is not solved, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Remove and re-link the map.
• 🔧 Reset the settings NFC In Settings → Connections → NFC → Reset.
• 📞 Calling for Bank Support with Error Code.

7.Security when paying with a card through Xiaomi

Contactless payments via phone are more reliable than physical cards, but require compliance with the following security rules:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or face. ID instead PIN-code - they are more difficult to fake.
• 📵 Do not store cards in your phone gallery (even in a hidden folder).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI Payment applications – new versions cover vulnerabilities.
• 🚨 Enable payment notifications in the banking app to see unauthorized write-offs right away.
• 🔍 Check the terminal before payment: it should not have any extraneous overlays (skimmers).

If the phone is stolen:

1. Block the cards immediately through the bank application or by hotline number.
2. Remove the associated cards remotely via Google Pay or Mi Pay.
3. Restore access to Mi Account and remove the device from the trusted list.

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Never hand your phone over to an outsider for a "payment check." Fraudsters can copy card details via NFC in seconds.

FAQ: Frequent questions about card payments on Xiaomi