How to pay with Xiaomi Redmi 9C instead of Sberbank card: all ways with NFC and without

Paying with a smartphone instead of a bank card is convenient: you don’t have to carry a wallet, and transaction speeds are often faster than using physical plastic. Xiaomi Redmi 9C owners face one problem: the model does not have the NFC chip that handles contactless payments in most cases. However, this does not mean that paying with a phone is impossible. In this article, we will examine all the working ways of linking a Sberbank card to Redmi 9C — from workarounds with NFC to alternative methods (QR-, online banking).

The big question is, can you get around hardware restrictions? Yes, but with reservations. For example, Google Pay doesn't officially support devices without NFC, but there are legal ways to pay via SberPay, Mi Pay (in some regions) or third-party services. Also, let's look at how to emulate NFC through additional accessories and what risks it carries. If you're looking for the easiest way to do this, focus on the QR- payment and mobile banking sections.

⚠️ Warning: None of the methods described here guarantee 100% compatibility with all terminals. In Russia, most stores support contactless payments according to the PayPass/PayWave standard (NFC), but some terminals also work with QR- codes. Check with the cashier before paying.

1.Why does Redmi 9C not support NFC and can it be added?

Xiaomi Redmi 9C (M2006C3LG model for global market) Released in 2020 as a budget device with a focus on basic functionality. The manufacturer deliberately eliminated the NFC chip to reduce cost. It is a hardware limitation that can not be fixed software — neither through firmware nor through root access.

However, there are workarounds:

• 🔄 External NFC- modules: Plug-in via USB-C or audio jack adapters (e.g., NXP PN532) They emulate the operation of the chip but require constant physical connection and tuning.
• 📱 QR- Payments: Do not require NFC, but depend on the support of terminals (in Russia, common in Magnit, Pyatyorochka, Auchan).
• 💳 Card visualization: Some banks (including Sberbank) allow you to display a virtual card on a screen for scanning the barcode.

⚠️ Warning: External NFC- adapters often conflict with Android due to lack of certification. For example, Google Pay blocks work with uncertified devices for security reasons. Risks: transaction failure, loss of communication with the module, data leakage.

2. Method 1: Payment via SberPay (official method without NFC)

SberPay is a service from Sberbank that allows you to link your card to your phone and pay through QR- codes or online banking. It is the only legal method of payment using a Redmi 9C phone without NFC, supported by most Russian terminals.

How to set up:

1. Install the SberBank Online app from Google Play.
2. Sign in and go to the Payments section → SberPay.
3. Create a QR- code to pay for or select Pay by phone number.
4. At the checkout, show the QR- code to the scanner or enter the phone number in the terminal.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works on any Android smartphone, including the Redmi 9C.
• ✅ No Internet connection required on the phone (QR- code is generated in advance).
• ✅ Supports all Sberbank cards (debit, credit, virtual).

3. Method 2: Virtual card in Google Pay (with restrictions)

Google Pay officially requires NFC for contactless payments, but Redmi 9C doesn't.

Option 1: Payment through Internet banking

Some terminals (e.g. McDonald’s or filling stations) allow you to select the option to Pay via Google Pay and enter card details manually.

1. Open Google Pay and add a Sberbank card through Add Payment Method.
2. In the terminal, select Payment by QR or Online Payment.
3. The terminal scanner reads the QR- code from the phone screen (generated in Google Pay).

Option 2: Emulation of NFC via Magisk (for advanced)

If you have root access and a Magisk module, you can try emulating NFC via NFC Gate or NFC Tools.

• ❌ Sberbank blocks such transactions as suspicious.
• ❌ The external NFC- module is constantly connected.
• ❌ High risk of payment errors.

4. Method 3: Mi Pay - Does it work on the Redmi 9C?

Mi Pay is Xiaomi’s signature contactless payment service, similar to Apple Pay or Google Pay, but it officially only supports NFC models, meaning the Redmi 9C is not on the list.

Limited support in some regions

In China and India, Mi Pay sometimes works via QR- codes even on devices without NFC. For Russia, this method is not relevant, but you can try:

1. Install Mi Pay from the APK- file (officially the application is not available in Russian Google Play).
2. Attach the card of Sberbank (confirmation is required via SMS).
3. Generate QR- code for payment in supported stores.

Challenges and risks

• ⚠️ The application may not run on Redmi's global firmware 9C.
• ⚠️ Sberbank may block transactions because of a “non-standard” device.
• ⚠️ There is no guarantee of working in Russian stores.

5 Method 4: Payment via QR- codes in other banking applications

If SberPay is not suitable for some reason, you can use QR- payments through other banks. Many Russian banks support the generation of QR- codes for payment in stores:

Applications with support for QR-payment:

• 🏦 Tinkoff Bank: Payments section → Payment by QR.
• 🏦 VTB Online: QR- payment function in the main menu.
• 🏦 Alpha Click: Pay QR option in payment services.

How it works:

1. Open the bank application and find the QR- section of payments.
2. Generate the code or enter the amount manually.
3. Show the QR- code to the cashier or scan the terminal code.

Important: Some stores (such as the Crossroads or the Carousel) only support QR- codes from specific banks.

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If the terminal does not support QR- payment, try to pay through SBP (Fast Payment System).

6. Method 5: Alternative solutions - from stickers to smartwatches

If none of the above methods are suitable, consider alternative devices for contactless payments:

1 NFC- Stickers

NFC chip stickers (such as the Xiaomi Mi Band NFC Sticker) can be attached to the back of a phone or case, and they work like a regular contactless card:

• 🔹 They are linked to the Sberbank card via SberBank Online.
• 🔹 Supports payments up to 1000₽ without entering a PIN.
• 🔹 Cost: 200 to 500₽.

2.NFC smartwatch

If you have Xiaomi Mi Band 6 NFC, Amazfit GTR 3 or other watches with contactless payment support, you can link the card of Sberbank to them.

1. Install the Mi Fit or Zepp app.
2. Go to the Smart Payments section and add a card.
3. Bring the watch to the terminal for payment.

⚠️ Warning: NFC- stickers and watches have a limit on the number of transactions without a PIN (usually 5 payments in a row or up to 1,000₽).

7. Frequent problems and how to solve them

1 problem: The terminal does not accept QR- code

Decision:

• 🔍 Make sure the store supports QR- payment (the list is usually hung on the checkout).
• 📱 Try generating code in another banking application (e.g. Tinkoff instead of Sberbank).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

Problem 2: Sberbank blocks the transaction

Decision:

• 📞 Call Sberbank support at 900 and confirm the payment.
• 🔐 Temporarily disable online payment restrictions in your account.
• 💳 Try to link another card (e.g., a virtual card).

3 problem: External NFC- Module is not working

Decision:

• 🔌 Check the connection of the OTG- cable (the USB-C port must support OTG).
• 🛠 Install drivers for the module (e.g., LibNFC for Linux systems).
• 📱 Try another module (some adapters are incompatible with MIUI).

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If neither method works, the most reliable option is to use a physical card or smartwatch with NFC. Alternative methods of paying with a phone on Redmi 9C have limitations and do not guarantee 100% success.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions