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

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones with NFC support have long ceased to be just devices for calls — they have become full-fledged wallets that can replace plastic cards. But how to set up contactless payments so as not to encounter errors in payment? In this article, we will analyze all available methods of payment by phone instead of a card: from standard Google Pay to branded Mi Pay and Russian alternatives like SberPay or World Pay.

It's important to understand that not all Redmi models support NFC — for example, budget versions like Redmi 9A or Redmi 10A don't have this chip. We've put together a compatibility table below so you can check your model right away. And if your smartphone is on the list, read on and choose a convenient payment method.

Before you proceed to setup, make sure that:

• 📱 Your Xiaomi Redmi is supported by your NFC (see the table in the following section).
• 💳 The bank card is linked to one of the supported services (Google Pay, Mi Pay, etc.).
• 🔋 Battery level at least 15% – some terminals refuse to accept payments from discharged devices.
• 📶 The smartphone has mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled (needed for initial setup).

What Xiaomi Redmi models support NFC for contactless payments?

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with an NFC chip, especially in the budget segment. Below is the current table of Redmi models with support for technology (data for 2026). If your model is not on the list, you will not be able to pay with a phone instead of a card.

Important! Even if your model is on the list, check for an NFC chip in the settings: go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC. If there is no item, your smartphone does not support the technology.

Google Pay setup on Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Google Pay (now Google Wallet) is the most versatile method of paying with your phone, working with most bank cards. To set it up on Xiaomi Redmi, follow the following steps:

1. Download the Google Wallet app from Google Play (unless it is installed by default).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account (required!).
3. Click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
4. Scan the card with the camera or enter the data manually (number, expiration date, CVC).
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
6. Once the link is successfully linked, the card will appear on the list.

To pay for the purchase:

• 🔄 Unlock the phone (PIN, graphical).
• 📱 Hold the top of the smartphone (where the chip is located) NFC) terminally.
• 💳 Wait for the sound signal or vibration – the payment has passed.

Note: Some banks (e.g. Tinkoff or Alfa Bank) may require additional authorization on the first payment, and check if your bank supports Google Pay.

⚠️ If the terminal is not accepting payment, try it:

• 🔋 Rebooting your smartphone – sometimes helps with crashes NFC.
• 📶 Enable mobile internet (some terminals require online confirmation).
• 🔄 Reinstall Google Wallet – if no map is added.

Mi Pay: Xiaomi’s branded service for contactless payments

Mi Pay is Xiaomi’s own solution that works similarly to Google Pay, but with some limitations. The main advantage is the integration with the MIUI system settings, which makes it easier to access. However, the service does not support all banks, so check compatibility first.

To set up Mi Pay:

1. Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. When you first start, accept the terms of use and allow access to NFC.
3. Click Add card and select the bank from the list (for example, Sberbank, VTB, Opening).
4. Enter the card details or scan it with the camera.
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or banking application.

Features of Mi Pay:

• 🔒 It only works with the cards of partner banks (the list is limited).
• 📱 Supports payment even on a locked screen (set up in Mi Pay) → Settings → Unblocking for payments).
• 💳 You can tie several cards and switch between them quickly.

Tip: If Mi Pay doesn’t see your card, try adding it to Google Pay or another service, and check if the app is updated to the latest version – older versions may not support new bank cards.

SberPay and World Pay: how to pay with Xiaomi Redmi phone in Russia

Local services are relevant for users from Russia - SberPay (for Sberbank cards) and Mir Pay (for Mir cards). Both services support contactless payments via NFC on Xiaomi Redmi, but have their own nuances.

SberPay setup:

1. Install the SberBank Online application (if not installed).
2. Log in and go to the Maps section.
3. Select the card you want to add to SberPay and click Add to SberPay.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (SMS confirmation may be required).
5. Once added, the card will be available for payment via NFC.

Setting up World Pay:

• Download the World Pay app from Google Play.
• Register and add the card "World" (supported cards of Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, etc.).
• Activate Contactless Payments in the application settings.

The advantages of SberPay and the World of Pay:

• 🏦 They work with most Russian banks.
• 🔐 Support payment without unlocking the screen (configured in the bank application).
• 💳 You can tie several cards and choose the right one right when paying.

⚠️ Attention! If you use a Mir card, make sure that the terminal supports this payment system - not all foreign terminals work with Mir. In Russia, there are no problems, but when traveling abroad it is better to have a spare card. Visa/Mastercard.

How to pay with a phone without the Internet: offline mode and caching

Many people think that contactless payments require the Internet, but they don't. Most services (Google Pay, Mi Pay, SberPay) support offline mode thanks to tokenization technology, the card is tied to the phone once, and further payments are made without a connection to the network.

However, there are limitations:

• 📵 Without the internet, you can make a limited number of payments (usually 5-10, depending on the bank).
• 🔄 After the connection is restored, the data is synchronized, and the counter is reset.
• 💳 Some banks block offline payments for security reasons (e.g. suspicious transactions).

To check if the offline mode is working:

1. Turn off mobile internet and Wi-Fi.
2. Try to pay for a small purchase (for example, in a store or cafe).
3. If the payment has passed, the service supports offline mode.

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Before a long trip without the Internet (for example, in the subway or outside the city), make a test payment offline to make sure everything works.

What to do if Xiaomi Redmi phone does not pay: common mistakes and solutions

Sometimes contactless payments fail even on supported models, and consider typical problems and ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔧 Reset the settings NFC In Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting wireless network settings.
• 📲 Remove and add the card to the payment service.
• 🔄 Update firmware MIUI Update to the latest version (sometimes bugs are fixed in new updates).

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If the problem persists, check if the NFC chip is damaged – physical damage (such as after a fall) can cause it to fail.

Contactless Payments Security: How to Protect Money with Xiaomi Redmi

Paying by phone is convenient, but requires a special attention to security.

• 🔒 Use the lock screen (PIN, Without it, an attacker can pay for purchases with your phone.
• 📱 Do not store passwords from banking applications in notes or SMS.
• 🔄 Check your mobile bank’s transaction history regularly.
• 🚫 Turn off Allow payments on a locked screen if you are afraid of theft.

What to do if your phone is stolen?

1. Block cards immediately via mobile bank or hotline number.
2. Remove cards from payment services (Google Pay, Mi Pay, etc.) through the web version of your account.
3. Restore access to your Google Account and remove your device from your trusted list.

Important: If you sell or transfer your Xiaomi Redmi to another person, be sure to delete all associated cards and perform a factory reset.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about payments with Xiaomi Redmi