Contactless payments via a smartphone have become an integral part of everyday life, and owners of Xiaomi devices can take advantage of this feature thanks to the built-in NFC module. However, not all users know how to properly configure payment with a phone instead of a bank card – especially if we are talking about models with MIUI, where two services are available at once: Google Pay and branded Mi Pay.
In this guide, we will understand which Xiaomi smartphones support NFC-Payment, how to link the card to the phone, what are the nuances of each payment service, and what to do if the terminal does not accept payment, we will pay special attention to security issues, such as whether you can pay from a switched-off screen and how to protect card data from fraudsters.
If you are just planning to buy a Xiaomi smartphone with NFC or have already encountered problems with payment, this article will help you to understand all the details.
What Xiaomi smartphones support NFC-payment?
Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an NFC module, so it’s worth checking if you have one in your device before setting up payments. In most cases, the chip is present in flagships and mid-budget smartphones released after 2019.
- 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra (all modifications)
- 📱 Redmi Note 11 Pro+/12 Pro+/12R (Except for the basic version of the Note 11)
- 📱 POCO F4/F5/X5 Pro (check the specifications of a particular model)
- 📱 Mi 11/11 Lite/11T Pro (including global versions)
- 📱 Black Shark 4/5 (gaming-smartphone NFC)
To find out if you have NFC in your Xiaomi, do one of the following:
- Check the model features on the official Xiaomi website or in documents out of the box.
- Open Settings → Connected Devices → NFC. If the partition is missing, there is no module.
- Use the app. CPU-Z (sensors). 📊 Your Xiaomi smartphone supports your NFC?Yes, and I use it, but I didn't set it up, but I want to buy a model with a NFCI don’t know how to check, but please note that even if NFC There are some banks that may not support card binding to Google Pay or Mi Pay in your region. For example, in Russia, Google Pay is officially out of service since 2022, but there are workarounds (we will discuss them below). Xiaomi owners have a choice between two payment systems. Let us examine their key differences: Google Pay Mi Pay Availability Operating in most countries (except Russia since 2022) Available in China, India, some countries of Europe Supported banks Visa, Mastercard, Mir (depending on the region) Local banks (e.g. China - UnionPay) Security Tokenization through Google, Xiaomi’s own encryption system, binding to Mi Offline payments Yes (up to 5 transactions without the Internet) Yes (limited to the bank’s settings) In Russia and some other countries, Google Pay is officially unavailable, but it can be launched through the Internet VPN Mi Pay in Russia does not work at all, so services like SberPay or Mir Pay are an alternative if they are supported by your bank. For most people outside of China, Google Pay remains the preferred option due to the wide support of banks and convenience, but if you are often in Asia, you should also set up Mi Pay, which is accepted more often. 💡Before traveling abroad, check if your bank is working with Google Pay in the destination country.Some terminals may block payments due to geo-restrictions.Grow Google Pay on Xiaomi step-by-step setup If your smartphone supports NFC and you have chosen Google Pay, follow this instruction: Install Google Pay from Google Play Market (if it is not the default one). Open the app and log in to your Google account. → Credit or debit card: scan the card with a camera or enter data manually (number, expiration date, CVC). Confirm the binding through SMS or push notification from the bank. Install Google Pay as a default contactless payment app in your settings NFC. ☑️ Preparation for the first payment Include NFC in settings Link card to Google Pay Set up screen lock (PIN/fingerprint) Check card balance Completed: 0 / 4 Once you've tied the card, you can pay for your purchases by simply holding the phone to the terminal. Importantly, the screen needs to be unlocked (but not necessarily on, just fingerprint unlocking: 🔄 Restart your phone and try again. 📶 Check your internet connection (online authorization is required for the first transaction). 💳 Make sure that the card supports contactless payments (it must have the PayPass logo or PayWave). 2022 The service is officially blocked, but there are workarounds: 1. Use it. VPN when linking a card (for example, a server in Kazakhstan or Armenia). 2. Link the virtual card from Revolut/Wise (If the bank does not block such transactions). 3. Set up alternative services like SberPay or Mir Pei (if your bank supports them), and note that bypassing the locks may violate the bank's rules! How to pay via Mi Pay on Xiaomi (for supported regions) Mi Pay is a branded payment service Xiaomi, which operates in a limited number of countries. To set it up: Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download from the Mi App Store or APKMirror). Sign in through your Mi Account (required!). Click Add a card and select a bank from the list of supported ones. Enter the card details and confirm the link via SMS. Activate the option Quick Payments in the app settings. Features of Mi Pay: 🌏 It works only with local banks (for example, in China – UnionPay, in India – Rupay). 🔒 Requires binding to the Mi Account (without it payments are impossible). 💳 It supports payment even when the screen is turned off (if the Always Ready function is enabled), in Russia and Europe Mi Pay is practically useless due to the lack of support from local banks. However, if you travel to Asia frequently, the service can come in handy - many terminals in China, Singapore or Thailand accept it more readily than Google Pay. NFC-Payment: how to protect money? Contactless payments are convenient, but require increased attention to security: ⚠️ Note: Never keep PIN codes or CVC Cards in notes on your phone, and scammers can access them through malicious apps or phishing. 🔐 Use a screen lock (PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint) without it, payments through NFC may occur without confirmation! 📱 Turn on the function Only when the screen is unlocked in the settings NFC (Path: Settings → Connected devices → NFC → Additionally). 🛡️ Check transactions in mobile bank regularly – some scammers use pocket readers to steal card data. 🚫 Turn it off. NFC, When you don't use payments (especially in public places) on Xiaomi smartphones MIUI 14+ There is a hidden function called “Safe Payment Mode” that automatically disables the payment. NFC After 5 minutes of inactivity, enter the phone code # #633284## and select Enable Secure Payment. If the phone is stolen: Lock the card immediately through your mobile bank or by the number on the back. Remove it from Google Pay/Mi Pay via the web version of the service. Use Find a device in your Google or Mi Account to remotely lock your smartphone. Common errors and their solutions Even after you set up correctly NFC-Payments may not work. Discuss typical problems and ways to fix them: Problem Possible cause Solutions Terminal can not see the phone NFC Disabled or conflict with cover Enable NFC, Take off the case, bring the phone to the top of the terminal Required PIN for each payment Bank set a restriction Contact the bank or try another card Error "Card is not supported" Bank does not work with Google Pay Use Mi Pay (if available) or alternative service Payment Check the Internet, repeat the payment or pay with a card If none of the methods did not help, try: Update the Google app Pay/Mi Pay and firmware MIUI. Reset the settings NFC In Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings. Reinstall payment application (pre-deleting all associated cards). 💡If the terminal issues an error "Unknown card", most likely the problem is on the bank side. Check whether it blocks contactless payments via your smartphone (for example, due to suspicious activity). Alternative methods of payment by phone on Xiaomi If NFC Your smartphone is not working or not working, you can use other methods: 💳 QR-Many banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff, VTB) support payment through scanning QR. It is enough to open a mobile bank and point the camera at the terminal code. 📱 Samsung Pay: If you have a Xiaomi model with support for Samsung Knox (rare, but common), you can install this service through the Samsung Knox. APK. 🔄 Bank widgets: Some apps (e.g. Alpha Click) allow you to pay for purchases directly from a notification without running NFC. 🌐 Online banking: Enter the card details manually on the store’s website (suitable for online shopping). For owners of Xiaomi without NFC The most reliable option is payment for QR. For example, in Sberbank Online is enough: Open the application and choose Pay by QR. Point the camera at the terminal code, confirm the amount and enter the PIN, the downside is that not all stores support the system. QR-payment, but in large networks (for example, Pyatok, Magnet) it works stably. FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC-Is it possible to pay from the screen off? Yes, but only if: Always ready in Mi Pay settings (for supported regions) is enabled. You use Google Pay and have previously unlocked your phone (for example, by fingerprint). On most Xiaomi models, the screen must be unlocked, but not necessarily on. Why does the terminal ask you to insert a card, even though it's not. NFC Possible reasons: The terminal does not support contactless payments (rarely, but found in smaller stores). The purchase amount exceeds the limit for contactless payment (usually) 1000–5000 Bank temporarily blocks NFC-transactions (check out the SMS Solution: try paying with a card or check with the cashier if the terminal supports PayPass/PayWave. How to remove a card from Google Pay if your phone is stolen? Do it via the Google Pay web version: Go to pay.google.com. Sign in with the same account as your phone. Select the stolen device in Devices. Click Delete the card next to the one you want. Also lock the card in a mobile bank! Can one link the same card to Google Pay and Mi Pay at the same time? Technically yes, but: Bank can block duplicate anchorages (check the terms of service). In Mi Pay, some cards only work after confirmation through the service. SMS. When paying, the terminal can only read data from one service (priority is given to the last one used). Why did payments stop working after the MIUI update? Probable reasons: Reset NFC settings (check if the module is enabled in Settings → Connected devices), Conflict with the new version of MIUI (update Google Pay or reinstall it), Block Google services in your region (relevant for the Russian Federation). Solution: Reset the network settings (Settings → System → Resets → Network Settings) and reset the phone.