How to Pay with NFC on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to 2026

Contactless payments through NFC As they become an integral part of everyday life, Xiaomi smartphones have long supported this technology, but many users still face the question of how to set up the right setup. NFC-Payment on your device, which bank cards are supported, and why sometimes the terminal does not read the payment? In this article, we will discuss all the nuances - from the basic settings to solving typical problems.

It is important to understand that functionality NFC-module on Xiaomi depends not only on the smartphone model, but also on the region of the firmware, version MIUI, And also from your bank's policies, like the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ Xiaomi 13 Ultra implementation NFC It is different from a budget model like Redmi. A2. We will look at universal solutions that are relevant for most devices, and also point out the key differences.

If you’re just planning to switch to contactless payments, or have already encountered errors like “Card Not Supported” or “Transaction Error,” this guide will help you understand the reasons and find working workarounds. NFC.

1. Check NFC support on your Xiaomi

Before you set up payments, make sure your smartphone is equipped. NFC-Not all Xiaomi models support this feature, especially in the budget segment:

• 📱 Method 1: Go to Settings → Connected devices → NFC. If there is no partition, there is no chip.
• 🔍 Method 2: Enter the request in the search for settings «NFC». The system will show all related options.
• 🛒 Method 3: Check the model features on the official Xiaomi website or in services like GSMArena.

Important: Even if NFC is in the specifications, it can be blocked on firmware for some regions (for example, Indian versions of Redmi often lack this feature).

If your model is not in the table, check out the 4PDA or Xiaomi Community forums, which often discuss non-obvious limitations. For example, the POCO M6 Pro in the global version supports NFC, but in the Indian version does not.

2. NFC setup for payments: step-by-step instruction

Once NFC is confirmed, we move on to setup, and the process is slightly different depending on the version of MIUI, but the overall scheme is the same:

1. Activate NFC: Go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and turn on the switch. Also activate Contactless Payments (could be called “Tap & Pay” in global firmware).
2. Select a payment service: In the same menu, select your preferred service: 💳 Google Pay is a universal option for most banks. 🏦 Mi Pay – Xiaomi’s proprietary solution (not available in all countries). 📱 Banking app – some banks (Sber, Tinkoff) offer their own NFC-decision.

Addition of the map:

Open the selected service (e.g. Google Pay) and follow the card link instructions, and you will need confirmation via SMS or push notification from the bank.

On models with MIUI 14 and later, the Quick Payments feature has appeared - it allows you to pay for purchases without unlocking the screen (it is enough to press the power button twice).

1. Setting up fast payments: Go to Settings → Lock screen → Quick payments and enable the option. Make sure Settings → Battery and Performance → Power Saving Mode has disabled the restriction for payment applications.

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If you add a card to Google Pay, you don't see it on your payment list, try rebooting your smartphone, sometimes by adding the card again in 10-15 minutes.

3. Which bank cards are supported?

Not all bank cards can be linked to NFC-Payments to Xiaomi. Basic requirements:

• 💰 Card type: Mastercard, Visa, World (with restrictions) are supported. American Express and UnionPay are not available in all banks.
• 🏛️ Tokenization Support: Bank must support technology HCE (Host Card Emulation) or Tokenization. Among the Russian banks are Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB, Alfa-Bank, Raiffeisen.
• 📱 Bank app: Some banks (e.g. Gazprombank) require the installation of their mobile application for the purpose of NFC-payment.

For cards, the situation is complicated by sanctions: since 2022, Google Pay does not officially support their addition, but some users circumvent the restriction through Mi Pay or banking applications (for example, SberBank Online).

⚠️ Note: If your bank does not support tokenization, you will not be able to link the card to the token. NFC-Payments, even if it physically supports contactless payment via a chip.

4. How to pay for purchases: a step-by-step process

When all the settings are done, it takes a few seconds to pay, and this is how it works in practice.

1. Unlock the screen (unless you have fast payments set up).
2. Bring the smartphone to the terminal at a distance of 2-4 cm on the screen will appear animation payment.
3. Wait for a sound signal or vibration, which means that the transaction was successful.
4. If necessary, confirm the payment with a fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN-code (depending on security settings).

The terminal may display the words "Payed by phone" or "Contactless" if the payment is not passed, the terminal will show an error, most often this is due to:

• 🔋 Battery discharged (NFC It is switched off when the charge is low on some models).
• 📵 Bad contact – try to bring your phone to another part of the terminal.
• 💳 Limitation of the amount – for payments over 1000-5000 RUB (depending on the bank) may be required PIN-map.

On models with MIUI 13 and older, there is an Automatic Card Selection feature – if you have multiple cards tied, the system will prompt you to select the one you want right at the time of payment. To enable it, go to the Google Pay or Mi Pay settings and activate the Show Before Pay option.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users sometimes face problems.

The “13” error in Google Pay is one of the most common on Xiaomi, and it occurs when:

• 🌍 You have firmware installed for a non-supported region (e.g., Chinese version) MIUI global-smartphone).
• 🔄 Google services are outdated or damaged.
• 📱 Smartphone model not certified for Google Pay (relevant for some) POCO).

To correct Error 13:

1. Upgrade Google Play Services and Google Pay to the latest version.
2. Clear the cache and data of the Google Pay app in the settings.
3. If you use custom firmware, go back to the official MIUI.
4. Try changing the region in your phone settings to one supported (e.g., the U.S. or the U.K.).

⚠️ Note: Changing the region in the smartphone settings can lead to loss of warranty if the device was purchased from an official store in another region. For example, Chinese Xiaomi with firmware for the Chinese market may lose some of the functions when changing the region to the global one.

6. Security NFC-Payments: Myths and Reality

Many users fear that contactless payments via NFC are less secure than traditional chip cards.

• 🔒 Myth 1: "My phone can be read from a distance and they'll write off the money: NFC It works at a distance of up to 4 cm, and to write off funds requires unlocking the screen (or confirmation by biometrics.
• 📱 Myth 2: "If I lose my phone, my cards will be compromised." Reality: Google Pay and Mi Pay use virtual card numbers (tokens) rather than real data.
• 💳 Myth 3: «NFC-Payments are easier to hack than card chips Reality: Contactless payments via phone are protected by dynamic cryptographic code (as opposed to static) CVV on the map, which makes them safer than physical maps.

However, there are real risks to be aware of:

• 📲 Phishing apps: Fraudsters may offer "updates to NFC», You can only install apps from Google Play.
• 🔋 Phone loss: If the phone is stolen, an attacker may try to make a payment before you are locked.Set up remote data erasure via Mi Account.
• 🌐 Public Networks: Do not add cards to payment systems via public Wi-Fi – use mobile internet or VPN.

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NFC-Smartphone payments are safer than physical cards thanks to tokenization and dynamic authentication.

7. Alternative methods of contactless payment on Xiaomi

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support NFC or you’re facing unsolvable problems, there are workarounds:

• 💳 Banking applications with NFC: Some banks (for example, Tinkoff or Sberbank) allow you to pay for purchases directly through their mobile application, emulating the payment of goods. NFC. That's what we need:

Wallets with QR-code:

SberPay

YuMoney

Wearable devices:

Mi Band

Xiaomi Watch

For POCO M5s or other non-NFC models, there is another option: use Bluetooth payments via services like Garmin Pay (if you have compatible smartwatches), but this is less versatile because it requires terminal support.

⚠️ Note: When using banking applications for NFC-Payments make sure you have Confirmation Request enabled for each transaction, which will protect you from accidental charges if the phone falls into the hands of fraudsters.

8.NFC's future on Xiaomi: What to expect in 2026-2026

Xiaomi’s latest flagships (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra) have new features for contactless payments:

• 🔐 Improved biometrics: Face Payment Support (3D Face ID) without the need to unlock the screen.
• 💼 Corporate Cards: The ability to link virtual cards for business expenses with separate accounting.
• 🌍 Interbank transfers: In some regions (e.g. China) through NFC You can send money directly to another user.

MIUI 15 (expected in 2026) also promises:

• ⚡ Fast payments without internet: Transactions will be processed offline with subsequent synchronization.
• 🔄 Automatic map selection by geolocation: For example, in the supermarket will be offered a discount card, and in the cafe - the main card.
• 🛡️ Additional protection: Blocking NFC-Payments for suspicious activity (for example, if the phone suddenly appears in another city).