How to pay with your phone instead of a card on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, they have become full-fledged financial instruments. Contactless payment by phone instead of a plastic card saves time, reduces the risk of losing your wallet and adds convenience to everyday purchases. But how to properly configure this feature on Xiaomi devices if you have never used NFC or mobile payments before?

In this article, we’ll look at all the payment options available by phone, from Mi Pay to universal solutions like Google Pay and SberPay. You’ll learn which Xiaomi models support contactless payments, how to add a card to the system, and what to do if the terminal does not accept payment from the phone. And 5 critical errors that can block your card on the first payment.

Important: the instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and newer versions, and if your smartphone is running on the old firmware, some menu items may be different, which we'll mention.

What Xiaomi smartphones support phone payment

Not all Xiaomi devices are equipped with the NFC chip that is required for contactless payments.

• 📱 Flagship models: all devices line Xiaomi 12/13/14, Mi 10/11, Redmi K50/K60 and newer have built-in NFC.
• 💰 Mid-segment: Redmi Note 11 Pro+/12 Pro+/13 Pro+, POCO F4/F5 — Payments are usually supported, but check the specifications of the specific model.
• ❌ Budget phones: Redmi 10A/12C, POCO M4/M5 and often lacking NFC-chip.
• ⚠️ Chinese versions: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 for China) may not work with Russian banks due to regional restrictions.

To find out if you have NFC in your phone:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. If there is no item, check the characteristics of the model on the official Xiaomi website or in the GSMArena service.

WARNING! Even if NFC is available, some banks may block Mi Pay card binding for devices purchased in China or on AliExpress.

Payment methods with Xiaomi phone: comparison of services

On Xiaomi smartphones, there are three main ways to contactless payment, each with its own pros and cons:

Important: since 2026, Mi Pay has suspended support for some banks (for example, Raiffeisenbank) due to sanctions restrictions.

Which service should I choose?

• 🔹 If you have a Sberbank card, the easiest way to use SberPay is to set up in 2 minutes).
• 🔹 For cards of other banks, Google Pay or Mi Pay is suitable (if your bank is in the list of supported banks).
• 🔹 If you travel frequently, Google Pay is more versatile because it works abroad.

Step-by-step setting up Mi Pay on Xiaomi

Mi Pay is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that only works on devices with MIUI. Here's how to configure it:

1. Install the Mi Pay app: 📲 Download it from the Mi App Store (not from Google Play!). 🔍 If the app is not located, check the region of your Mi Account (should be Russia).

Add the bank card:

• 💳 Open Mi Pay, click "Add Card».
• 📸 Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
• 🔐 Confirm the binding through SMS from the bank (the code will come to the number to which the card is tied).
• Set up your default payment: Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC → Default Payment → Mi Pay

Once set up, just bring the unlocked phone to the terminal, the payment will be automatic. If the terminal requires a PIN, enter it on the smartphone screen.

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If Mi Pay doesn’t see your card, try temporarily disabling your VPN or changing the region in your Mi Account to “Russia”.

How to Pay with Google Pay for Xiaomi

Google Pay is a one-stop service that works on most NFC smartphones, including Xiaomi, and its main advantage is that it supports as many banks as possible.

1. Install the app: 📲 Download Google Pay from Google Play. 🔓 Allow all requested permissions (NFC, location.).

Add the map:

• 💳 Click "Add map» → «Credit or debit card».
• 📸 Scan the map or enter the data manually.
• 📱 Confirm through SMS or push notification from the bank.
• Activate contactless payments: Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC → Default Payment → Google Pay

Payment via SberPay: Quick setup

If you are a Sberbank customer, SberPay is the easiest way to pay with your phone, integrated directly into the Sberbank Online app and does not require a separate installation.

Instructions:

1. Update the Sberbank application: 📲 Make sure you have the latest version of Sberbank Online installed from Google Play.

Activate SberPay:

• 🔐 Open the application, log in.
• 💳 Go to the "Maps" section» → select the desired card → «SberPay».
• 📱 Follow the instructions on the screen (confirmation may be required by SMS).
• Set up NFC: Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC → Default Payment → SberPay

SberPay only works with Sberbank cards, and if you have a card from another bank, use Google Pay or Mi Pay.

5 Mistakes That Make Paying With Your Phone Not Working

Even if you set it up correctly, sometimes you can't pay by phone.-5 causes and ways of eliminating them:

1. NFC shut down or operating unsteadily: 🔄 Reboot the phone. 📶 Check if the cover is blocking the signal (metal cases often interfere with the signal) NFC). 🔧 Reset the settings. NFC: Settings → Annexes → Application management → NFC → Warehouse → Clear the data.
2. The terminal does not support contactless payments: 🏦 Check with the cashier if the mode is on. PayPass/PayWave terminal. 💳 Try paying with another card - if it doesn't work, the problem is in the terminal.
3. Bank blocks transactions: 📞 Call the bank and check if the restrictions on mobile payments are worth it. 🔒 You may need to confirm the first payment through SMS push-notification.
4. Lack of funds or limits exceeded: 💰 Check the balance of the card. 📊 Some banks set daily limits on contactless payments (e.g. 5,000). ₽ pinless).

Conflict of payment services:

• 🔄 If you have both Mi Pay and Google Pay installed, select one default service in your settings. NFC.

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If you don't pay, check the terminal on another card first, and if the problem is just with your phone, reset your NFC settings and restart the device.

Mobile Payment Security: How to Avoid Losing Money

Paying by phone is convenient, but requires a heightened focus on security, and here are 7 rules to help avoid fraud:

• 🔒 Always lock the screen after payment (even if the terminal is still processing the payment).
• 📱 Do not keep PINs and passwords in notes or SMS phone-on.
• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication in Mi Account and mobile bank.
• 🚫 Do not hand over your phone to someone with an unlocked screen.
• 🔄 Regularly update the software in new versions MIUI often closes down vulnerabilities NFC.
• 📵 Turn it off. NFC, When not using (savings charge and reduces the risk of accidental payments).
• 🔍 Check your mobile bank transaction history after each payment.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters can use scanners NFC, We're going to use our phones to read map data in public places:

• Turn off NFC in subways, buses and other crowded areas.
• Use NFC-protected covers (they block the signal when the phone is in your pocket).

If you lost your phone:

1. Block your cards immediately through your mobile bank.
2. Delete your payment details remotely: For Google Pay: pay.google.com → Devices → delete your lost phone. For Mi Pay: log in to Mi Account on another device and delete the cards.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions