How to set up contactless payment on Xiaomi phone: the full guide 2026

Contactless payment via smartphone is no longer a curiosity — it is now a standard way of paying in stores, cafes and transport. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones can use this feature in just a few taps, but many still avoid NFC- payments due to fears of setting up or security concerns. In fact, the process takes no more than 5 minutes, and transaction protection often exceeds that offered by bank cards.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to set up contactless payment on Xiaomi devices, from compatibility checks to adding cards to Google Pay, Mi Pay and SberPay. Special attention will be paid to the nuances of working with different banks, solving typical errors (for example, when the phone does not see the terminal), and precautions that will save your funds from fraud. If you still carry a physical card “just in case” after reading this manual, you will no longer need it.

Note: contactless payment on Xiaomi works even with a discharged battery (until the phone is completely turned off), if the device supports the function of "Power Off Payments". This is true for models with a chip NXP PN80T or later (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

1. Checking the compatibility of Xiaomi phone with NFC and contactless payment

Before you set up a payment, make sure your smartphone supports NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with this chip - especially for the budget lines of Redmi and POCO until 2020 release.

Here is the official list of Xiaomi models with NFC (relevant for MIUI 14 and newer firmware):

• 📱 Xiaomi 14/13/12/11 series (all modifications)
• 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+/11 Pro+/10 Pro and older
• 📱 POCO F5 Pro/F4 GT/F3 GT
• 📱 Mi 11 Lite 5G NE, Mi 10T series
• 📱 Black Shark 5/4/3 series (for gamers)

If your model is not on the list, check for NFC yourself.

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. If there is no item, your phone does not support the technology.
3. For models with MIUI 13 and below, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Wireless Networks → NFC.

⚠️ Warning: On some devices (e.g., the Redmi Note 9 Pro for the Indian market), the NFC- chip is present in the hardware but disabled at the firmware level, in which case only flashing to the global version MIUI or custom software like LineageOS will help.

💡

If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, be sure to check the NFC before paying – some sellers hide that the chip is out of order (for example, after a failed repair).

2. Activation of NFC and selection of payment service

Once compatibility is confirmed, turn on NFC and select the map binding service. Xiaomi users have three main options:

To turn on NFC:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. Activate the NFC switch.
3. In the “Default Payment System” section, select your preferred service (e.g. Google Pay).
4. Enable the option "Allow access when the screen is locked" - this will allow you to pay without unlocking the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up or discharge rapidly after activation of NFC, check for any foreign tags in the case or next to the device. Some security accessories contain metal elements that interfere with the chip.

Make sure you're supported. NFC|Update firmware to MIUI 14+|Download the required application (Google) Pay/SberPay)|Preparing a physical bank card|Check the balance on the account-->

3. Google Pay setup on Xiaomi: step-by-step instruction

Google Pay is the most versatile contactless payment service, working with most Russian banks.

1. Download the Google Pay app from Google Play (unless preinstalled).
2. Open the app and click "Start."
3. Select "Add Card" → "Credit or Debit Card".
4. Scan the card with the camera or enter data manually (number, expiration date, CVC-code).
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
6. Create a PIN- code for Google Pay (it will be required to confirm payments over 1,000 ₽).

After adding the card, it can be used to pay:

1. Unlock your phone (or leave the screen locked if you have enabled the option in NFC settings).
2. Bring the top of the phone (where the NFC- chip is located) to the terminal at a distance of 2-5 see.
3. Wait for the vibration or beep to signal a successful payment.

💡 Tip: If the terminal is not responding, try to hold the phone to another part of the reader (sometimes the chip is not in the center). Also check if the charge saving mode is on, it can block background work NFC.

4. Alternative services: Mi Pay and SberPay

If for some reason Google Pay doesn't work for you, consider the alternatives. The settings are slightly different, but the general principle is similar.

Mi Pay is a proprietary service from Xiaomi, but in Russia it works with restrictions:

1. Open the Mi Pay app (pre-installed on most devices).
2. Sign in via Mi Account (if not registered, create an account).
3. Click "Add card" and select a bank from the list (for Russia it is usually Sberbank).
4. Enter the card details and confirm the addition via SMS.

⚠️ Warning: Mi Pay may request additional data (such as a passport scan) for verification, and the service sometimes blocks foreign bank cards due to sanctions restrictions.

SberPay is a convenient solution for Sberbank clients:

1. Open the Sberbank Online application.
2. Go to the "Maps" section" → select the desired card.
3. Slip on the SberPay icon and follow the instructions.
4. Once added, the card will automatically be available for payment via NFC.

📌 Key difference: Unlike Google Pay, SberPay does not require a separate PIN- code to confirm payments — it uses a standard code from SMS or a biometric (fingerprint/face).

💡

For maximum compatibility with terminals, it is recommended to add the same card to Google Pay and SberPay, which will increase the chances of successful payment in places with outdated hardware.

5. Solving Typical Contactless Payment Problems

Even after setting it up correctly, users sometimes encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• 🔴 Terminal doesn't see phone - Check if NFC is on in settings. - Reset phone and terminal. - Try bringing phone to another location on terminal (chips may be misaligned). - If you have a case with metal elements, remove it.
• 🔴 Payment is not passed (card not supported error) - Make sure the card is added to the service (Google Pay/SberPay). - Check if the card is blocked by the bank. - For Google Pay: delete and add the card again.
• 🔴 Phone vibrates but no payment is debited - The terminal may be in Read Only mode (e.g. to check the balance of a transport card). - Ask the cashier to switch the terminal to Payment mode.
• 🔴 After the MIUI update, contactless payment stopped working - Reset settings NFC: Settings → Apps → App Management → NFC → Storage → Clear data. - Update Google Pay/SberPay app to the latest version.

If the problem persists, check the error log in the payment service:

1. In Google Pay: Open the app → click on the avatar → “Settings” → “Notifications” → “Transaction History”.
2. In SberPay: go to the "Operation History" in the Sberbank Online application.

🔧 Technical nuance: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), after resetting the settings to the factory NFC, you may stop recognizing the cards, in which case only a complete flashing through the Fastboot will help.

6.Contactless Payments Security: How to Protect Your Money

Contactless payment is no less secure than traditional cards, but requires a few rules to be followed.

• 🔒 Use screen locking Without PIN- code, fingerprint or pattern lock, anyone can pay for up to 1,000 ₽ from your phone. Set up unlock in Settings → Lock screen → Password.
• 🔒 Turn off NFC when not in use This will prevent accidental write-offs (e.g. in the subway or in the crowd).
• 🔒 Set up payment notifications Enable push alerts in the bank app to instantly learn about charges. In Google Pay, this is done in Settings → Notifications → Transactions.
• 🔒 Do not store map photos in the gallery Attackers can recover card data even from low-resolution photos.
• 🔒 Check terminals for suspicious overlays Skimmers (card reader devices) are sometimes disguised as normal terminals. If something looks suspicious, refuse payment.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often use social engineering to call on behalf of a bank and ask for "confirm payment via Google Pay." No bank asks for such data over the phone! If you make suspicious calls, immediately hang up and lock the number.

🛡️ Additional protection: Google Pay settings allow you to enable "Two-step authentication" to add new cards, which will prevent unauthorized attachment of other people's cards to your account.

💡

If you lose your phone, block contactless payments via your bank or Google Pay (at pay.google.com).The cards will remain active, but they can’t be used for payment.

7 Contactless payment in transport and abroad

Xiaomi NFC smartphones support subway, bus and train fares in most Russian cities.

• 🚇 Moscow/St. Petersburg: Add Troika or Podparlok to Google Pay via the respective transport operator’s app.
• 🚍 Regions: Check with the local carrier whether payment is supported through NFC (e.g., in Kazan it is an "Electronic Wallet" system).
• ✈️ Overseas: Google Pay and SberPay work with terminals that support Mastercard PayPass or Visa payWave. Check with your bank before you travel to check if transactions abroad are blocked.

💡 Traveler's Lifehack: If you travel abroad frequently, add a virtual card (e.g. from Tinkoff or Revolut) to Google Pay to enable:

1. Avoid blocking the main card.
2. It is easy to control expenses through a separate account.
3. Refill the balance immediately if necessary.

⚠️ Warning: In some countries (e.g. the U.S.), terminals may require a signature or PIN- code even for contactless payments.

8 Payment without the Internet and with a discharged battery

One of the key benefits of contactless payment via a smartphone is the ability to pay without an internet connection, and all transaction data is stored in the secure element of the NFC chip, so payment will even take place on the subway or plane.

As for the discharged battery - it all depends on the model of the phone:

• 🔋 Power Off Payments: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and later support payment when the phone is turned off (until completely discharged). Just bring the device to the terminal, and the debit will be automatically.
• 🔋 Power Off Payments-free devices: On older models (such as the Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) the phone must be turned on to pay, but the screen can be locked.

🔋 How to check for Power Off Payments support:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Bring it to the NFC- terminal.
3. If you receive a payment notification, the function works.

⚠️ Warning: On some firmware (e.g., MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 12T), Power Off Payments is disabled by default to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → System settings → Shutdown mode.
2. Enable the option "Allow payments when power is turned off."

💡

Contactless payment via smartphone is often safer than a physical card: a unique token is generated for each transaction, and the real card number is not transmitted to the terminal.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contactless payment on Xiaomi