Payment via NFC on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: full instruction from setup to security

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, which supports contactless payment technology NFC. However, many users face difficulties in the first setup: the module does not recognize the terminal, the banking application gives an error, payments simply do not pass. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from checking hardware support to solving typical problems, and compare the available payment methods: Google Pay, Mi Pay and banking applications like SberBank Online.

It’s important to understand that the performance of NFC on the Redmi Note 9 is not only dependent on the hardware but also on the MIUI firmware version. For example, older builds (below MIUI 12.5) may have lacked a driver for the module, and some regional versions have been blocked by the manufacturer. We took all these nuances into account and prepared an up-to-date guide for 2026, which is suitable for MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 firmware.

1.Verify NFC support on Redmi Note 9

Before you set up payments, make sure your smartphone physically supports NFC.The Redmi Note 9 has two modifications:

• 📱 Redmi Note 9 (ginkgo) - basic version without NFC (module is not on the board).
• 📱 Redmi Note 9 NFC (merlin - version with NFC, produced for the European market.

How to check your model:

1. Open the settings → About the phone → Model.
2. If the name has NFC, it's there. If it's not, you can't pay contactlessly.
3. Alternatively, type in the settings search for NFC, and if the function is not in the results, it is not in the device.

⚠️ Note: Some Chinese versions of the Redmi Note 9 (e.g. for the Indian market) NFC It can be turned off at the firmware level, and then only if you flash it to a global or European version, it will help. MIUI.

2. Activation of NFC and selection of payment service

If there is a module, turn it on:

1. Go to Settings → Connection and Exchange → NFC.
2. Activate the NFC switch.
3. Enable Contactless Payments (may be called HCE Wallet in some firmware).

Now choose the service to pay. Redmi Note 9 is available:

Recommendation: Google Pay or your bank’s app is the best choice for Russia (if it supports it). NFC-Mi Pay only works with Chinese UnionPay cards and is not relevant for our region.

3. Google Pay setup on Redmi Note 9

Instructions for Google Pay (relevant to the application version 2.190+):

1. Download Google Pay from Google Play (unless set by default).
2. Open the app 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 binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.

After adding the map:

• 🔒 Install. PIN-a code or pattern lock to confirm payments (will request the first use).
• 📱 Set up unlocking the phone without entering a password (print / face), otherwise you will have to enter PIN pay-per-payment.
• 🛡️ Enable the option Unblocked for payments in Google Pay settings (additional security).

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 9 with the bootloader unlocked, Google Pay may not work due to Google’s security policy. In this case, use the banking application (for example, SberBank Online).

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If the terminal does not accept payment through Google Pay, try restarting your phone and re-activating NFC. Sometimes resetting the module settings to Settings → Apps → Google Pay → Storage → Clear the cache helps.

4. Payment through the banking application (Sberbank, Tinkoff, etc.)

Many banks offer their own contactless payment solutions, as seen in Sberbank Online:

1. Update the bank to the latest version.
2. Go to the Maps section → select the desired card.
3. Slip on the NFC icon or Contactless payments.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (SMS confirmation may be required).

Advantages of banking applications:

• 💳 It works even on phones with unlocked bootloader.
• 🔄 Supports World cards (unlike Google Pay, where they may not be added).
• 🛡️ Additional security measures (for example, confirmation of payment in the bank application).

Disadvantages:

• 📱 The binding works only in one banking application (you can not add a Sber card to Tinkoff and vice versa).
• 🔄 When changing the phone, you will have to re-set payments.

5. Typical errors and their solution

If the payment does not pass, check:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Contactless payments stopped working, reset the settings NFC: Settings → Annexes → Application management → NFC → Warehouse → Clear the data. This will bring the module back to the factory settings.

6. Security NFC-Payments: 5 mandatory rules

Contactless payments are convenient, but require caution.

1. Don't keep it. PIN-codes and passwords in phone notes, which can be accessed by malicious apps.
2. Enable two-factor authentication in the banking app and Google Account.
3. Turn off NFC when you are not using it (for example, on public transport).
4. Do not use rooted firmware – it makes your phone vulnerable to attacks.
5. Check your payment history once a week for suspicious charges.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 supports card tokenization, which means that the real card number is not transferred to the terminal, but a virtual identifier is used, but even with this protection, fraudsters can intercept payment if:

• 📲 You have pirated applications installed (especially hacked versions of banking programs).
• 🔗 You are connected to public Wi-Fi without VPN.
• 📧 Responded to phishing SMS or calls on behalf of the bank".

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NFC-Payments on Redmi Note 9 are only safe if you meet three conditions: original firmware MIUI, official payment applications and basic digital hygiene (do not transfer the phone to outsiders, do not install software from unverified sources).

7.NFC Alternatives: When Contactless Payments Are Unavailable

If your Redmi Note 9 doesn’t support NFC, consider alternatives:

• 💳 Bank card with chip: Classic payment method, works everywhere.
• 📱 QR-code:
• 🔄 Phone number transfer: Suitable for small amounts (such as taxis or cafes).
• 🛒 Online payment: Order goods online and pay with a card on the site.

For generation QR-codes directly on the Redmi Note 9:

1. Open the bank application (for example, Sberbank Online).
2. Go to the Payments section → QR-payment.
3. Generate the code and show it to the cashier for scanning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Redmi Note 9