How to pay for purchases with Xiaomi Redmi phone: full instructions on NFC and contactless payments

Contactless payments via smartphone are no longer a curiosity — today it is the standard method of payment in stores, cafes and transport. Xiaomi Redmi owners can take advantage of this feature, but not all models support NFC technology, and the setup process often raises questions. In this article, we will discuss how to check the compatibility of your Redmi, set up Google Pay or Mi Pay, link a bank card and safely pay with your phone — from the first steps to solving possible problems.

Xiaomi’s smartphone features are that even the low-end Redmi series models often feature an NFC chip, but it depends on where you sell and modify the device. For example, the Redmi Note 11 for the global market supports contactless payments, while the India version does not. We’ll detail how to find out if there is NFC in your phone, and what to do if there is none. You’ll also learn about hidden settings that speed up the payment process, and how to protect these cards from fraud.

Which Xiaomi Redmi models support contactless payments?

Not all Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are equipped with an NFC module – its availability depends on the model, year of release and region. For example, the Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C do not support contactless payments in any modification, and the Redmi Note 10 Pro and later are usually equipped with a chip. To make no mistake, check the specifications of your device on the official Xiaomi website or use one of the methods below.

The fastest way to find out about NFC support is to look at a smartphone box or the specifications on the seller's website. Look for "NFC: Yes" or "Contactless Payment Support." If there is no box, check through the settings:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Connections and sharing → NFC.
• 🔍 If the paragraph NFC No, your Redmi doesn’t support the technology.
• 🛠️ In some firmware MIUI option hidden: try to enter in the search by settings request "NFC".

If NFC No, but you want to pay by phone, consider alternatives: QR-codes (via Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) or purchase NFC-A sticker that sticks to the back of a smartphone, but these stickers are less reliable and require additional adjustments.

How to enable NFC on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

If your Xiaomi Redmi supports NFC, you need to activate the module before setting up the payment systems.

1. Open the settings and go to Connections and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
2. Find the NFC and move the slider to the right. On some models (Redmi Note 12 and later), the option may be called Contactless Payments.
3. Activate Android Beam (if required) – this is for data exchange between devices, but not for payments.
4. Return to the home screen, and the NFC module is ready to go.

Important: After activation of NFC, it is recommended to add a shortcut for quick access.

• 📌 Click the empty space on the main screen → "Widgets".
• 🔧 Find the widget "NFC" Or "Switches" and drag it to the screen.

If the phone doesn’t recognize terminals after switching on NFC, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📲 Update firmware MIUI (In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

Google Pay Setting Up on Xiaomi Redmi

Google Pay is the most popular contactless payment app on Android, including Xiaomi Redmi, which supports cards from most Russian and foreign banks, and offers additional features like ticket storage and discount cards.

1. Download the Google Pay app from the Google Play Market (if it’s not available by default).
2. Open the app and click "Start."
3. Add the map: 💳 Press "Add map" → "Credit or debit card". 📷 Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually. ✅ Confirm the binding through SMS or push notification from the bank.

Set up security.

• 🔒 Choose the Unblocking Method for Payments: PIN-code, fingerprint or facial recognition.
• 📱 Enable the option "Unlock when approaching the terminal" (if available).

Once you add a card, you can make it the default card for quick payments.

• 📋 Open Google Pay. → tap on the map → "Use by default".

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If the bank does not support Google Pay, try adding a card via Mi Pay (for Chinese models) or using a virtual card from Tinkoff or Sber.

Note: Since 2026, some Russian banks have restricted support for Google Pay due to sanctions.If your card is not added, check the current list of supported banks on Google's website or use alternative methods (QR-codes, Mi Pay).

How to pay with Xiaomi Redmi phone in the store: step-by-step algorithm

When NFC is enabled and the card is tied to Google Pay or Mi Pay, it takes a few seconds to pay, and this is how it works in practice.

1. Unlock your phone (optional for some Quick Pay models).
2. Bring the back of the smartphone to the terminal at a distance of 2-5 cm. No need to press buttons – payment will be automatically if:

Wait for a sound signal or vibration

If necessary, confirm the operation.

• 🔐 For amounts over 1000-1500 ₽ (Depends on the bank, you may need to enter PIN-terminal-code.
• 👆 At some terminals you need to touch the smartphone screen (the inscription "Tap for payment" will appear").

If payment fails:

• 🔋 Check the battery power at a level below 5% NFC may be off.
• 📵 Make sure there are no metal cases or magnetic holders on the phone – they block the signal.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Mi Pay: Google Pay alternative for Xiaomi

Mi Pay is a Xiaomi-branded payment service that runs on MIUI smartphones. Unlike Google Pay, it supports some Chinese banks and offers additional bonuses for users of the Xiaomi ecosystem. However, in Russia, Mi Pay’s functionality is limited – it only works with cards of certain banks (for example, Tinkoff or Alfa Bank in some regions).

To set up Mi Pay:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version – the service is only available on firmware newer than MIUI 12.
2. Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download from GetApps or APKMirror).
3. Add the map: 💳 Click "Add Card" and select the bank from the list. 📱 Enter the card details and confirm through SMS. 🔒 Set up. PIN-code or biometrics to confirm payments.

Advantages of Mi Pay:

• ⚡ Quick fingerprint authorization (works even on a locked screen).
• 🎁 Bonuses and cashback for purchases in partner stores (relevant for China).
• 🔄 Transponder support (for example, for subway travel in some cities).

Disadvantages:

• 🚫 Limited list of supported banks in Russia.
• 🔄 Frequent errors when adding cards due to regional restrictions.

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Mi Pay is suitable for Xiaomi owners who want to use ecosystem bonuses, but for most Russian users, Google Pay or SberBank Online remain more versatile solutions.

Contactless Payments: How to Protect Your Money

Contactless payments are convenient but require increased attention to security, and fraudsters can intercept card data using special devices (skimmers) or hack into Google/Mi accounts.

• 🔐 Use virtual cards to link to Google Pay (many banks offer this option for free).
• 📵 Turn it off. NFC, When you don’t pay (especially in public places).
• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication for Google account and banking applications.
• 🚨 Set up payment notifications in the banking app – so you will immediately know about suspicious write-offs.

What to do if your phone is stolen:

1. Block the cards through the banking application or by hotline number.
2. Delete Google data Pay/Mi Pay remotely: 📱 For Google Pay: log into your account from another device and delete the cards. 🔧 For Mi Pay: Use the “Find Device” feature in your Xiaomi account.

Change your passwords.

Google

Mi Account

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If you lose your phone frequently, set up the “Only after unlocking” option in Google Pay to prevent payment from a locked screen.

⚠️ Warning: Never keep it. PIN-cardcodes in notes or SMS Fraudsters can access them through phishing links or malicious apps.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if everything is set up correctly, contactless payments sometimes fail, and let's look at typical situations and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, contact the bank or Xiaomi service center, and it may be a hardware malfunction of the NFC module.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9T European market: have hardware restrictions on contactless payments via Google Pay due to lack of certification HCE. This is the only way to pay Mi Pay or alternative methods.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions