Xiaomi smartphones have long since ceased to be just devices for calls — they have become full-fledged financial assistants. Paying with one touch of the screen saves time, eliminates the need to carry a wallet and reduces the risk of losing cash. But how to properly configure this feature on your Redmi, POCO or flagship Xiaomi 13 series? In this article, we will examine all the ways, from standard NFC to branded Mi Pay and universal Google Pay.
It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi models support contactless payments. For example, budget devices without an NFC chip (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) are physically unable to work with payment terminals. But the Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or POCO F4 are equipped with everything you need. You can check the presence of the module in the characteristics of the device or through the settings menu – more about this in the next section.
Regional restrictions are also worth considering: some banks (such as Sberbank or Tinkoff) can block card binding to Google Pay on uncertified firmware (such as Xiaomi.EU), if you use custom software, you will either have to return to the official global version of MIUI, or configure Mi Pay, a Chinese equivalent that works even on modified devices.
1. Check NFC support on your Xiaomi
Before you set up payments, make sure your smartphone is equipped with an NFC chip.
- 🔍 Through the model specifications: find your device on the official Xiaomi website (Specifications section) and check for the item NFC: For example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+ The module is there, and Redmi has it. 10A — no.
- 📱 In the phone settings: open Settings → Connection and sharing → NFC. If there is no partition, there is no chip.
- 🛠️ Physical check: disassemble the case (carefully!) and find a small metal board with the inscription NFC It's close to the battery, and it's suitable for the power users.
If NFC No contactless payments via phone are possible. QR-code through Sberbank Online or Tinkoff Pay, but this requires unlocking the screen and opening the application, which is less convenient.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) It's a chip, but it's turned off in the firmware for certain regions, and then flashing it to the global version will help. MIUI.
| Xiaomi model | Support for NFC | Support for Google Pay | Support for Mi Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| POCO F5 | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (regional restrictions) |
| Redmi 10C | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | ✅ Yes, only. 5G-version) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
2. set up Google Pay on Xiaomi
Google Pay (now Google Wallet) is the most versatile contactless payment method, working with most bank cards in Russia and the world. To set it up on Xiaomi, follow the instructions:
- Install the app: Download Google Wallet from the Play Market (if not, upgrade to Google Play Services).
- Add the card: Open the application, click Add the card → Payment card and scan it or enter the data manually.
- Confirm by the bank: Most banks (e.g. Tinkoff, Alfa Bank) will send an SMS with a confirmation code. Enter it into the app.
- Set up unlock: To pay, the phone must be unlocked (PIN, fingerprint or Face ID). Activate this in Settings → Security → Screen lock.
Install the latest version of Google Wallet|
Check for NFC support on your phone |
Connect to stable Internet (Wi-Fi or 4G) |
Have a physical bank card with you to scan-->
Once you add a card, you can use it to pay in stores with PayPass or PayWave terminals. Just unlock the phone, bring it to the terminal (distance). ~5 cm) and wait for the beep. On Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) payments work even when the display is turned off - just twice press the power button to activate NFC.
⚠️ Note: If after adding a Google Pay card, you get an error “Not supported”, check: No root rights on your phone; Official firmware (custom versions) MIUI Google account region (must match the region of the bank card).
3.Alternative: Mi Pay for Xiaomi
Mi Pay is a Xiaomi-branded payment service that operates in China, India and some European countries, and is supported in Russia with limited support, but can be an outlet if Google Pay doesn't work.
- 🌍 It works on all models with NFC, even with custom firmware;
- 💳 Supports UnionPay, Visa and Mastercard (but not all Russian banks);
- 🔒 Requires a link to your Mi Account (required to have a confirmed phone number).
To set up Mi Pay:
- Open the Mi Pay app (if not, download the APK from Xiaomi’s official website).
- Sign in through Mi Account.
- Click Add Card and select the bank from the list (e.g. Sberbank may be absent, but Tinkoff is sometimes available).
- Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
How to get around Mi Pay regional restrictions?
The main advantage of Mi Pay is stable work on informal firmware, where Google Pay often refuses to function, but the downsides are more: a limited list of banks, possible problems with currency rates when paying abroad and a less intuitive interface compared to Google Wallet.
4.Setting up Sberbank Online and Tinkoff Pay
If NFC Your Xiaomi is not available or you prefer to pay by QR-And then you can use mobile banking:
Sberbank Online
Sberbank Online app allows you to pay for purchases through QR-codeless NFC. For that:
- Install the app from Play Market or AppGallery.
- Log in with your login/password or through biometrics.
- In the main menu, select Payments → Payment by QR.
- Put the camera on QR-terminal code (for example, in a Magnet or a Five-Pack).
- Confirm the amount and enter PIN-code.
Tinkoff Pay
Tinkoff offers two payment methods:
- 📱 Po Po Po QR-code: similar to Sberbank, but with cashback support;
- 💳 Google Pay: Tinkoff cards integrate well with Google Wallet.
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If the terminal doesn't read QR-code, try to enable the "Scanning" option in Xiaomi camera settings QR" (Camera settings → Additionally. → Scanner. QR). It'll speed up recognition.
The advantage of paying through a mobile bank is the lack of a binding NFC. However, this method is less universal: not all stores support the use of the QR-payments, and the process takes longer (you need to unlock the phone, open the application, scan the code).
5. Solving common problems
Even after setting up the phone correctly, Xiaomi may not work, and consider the common mistakes and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal doesn't see the phone | NFC is disabled or faulty | Check the NFC settings and restart the device |
| Google Pay says "Not supported" | Custom firmware or rut | Return to the official MIUI or use Mi Pay |
| Payment doesn't work the first time. | Weak NFC signal or interference | Hold the phone to the terminal from a different angle, avoid metal covers |
| Bank blocks card binding | Regional restrictions | Try another bank or contact support |
If NFC is not working, check:
- 🔋 Battery Charging: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) NFC It is deactivated at a charge level below 5%;
- 📲 Software updates: outdated version MIUI It may contain bugs. Update through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system;
- 🛡️ Antivirus or firewall: some programs (such as Avast) block NFC as a “potential threat".
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If the payment doesn’t work after all the manipulations, try resetting the NFC settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → NFC → Storage → Clear the data. This will delete all the saved cards, but often solves the problem.
6.Security of contactless payments
Paying by phone is convenient but raises security questions, and here are key precautions for Xiaomi owners:
- 🔒 Use the lock screen: PIN-code, fingerprint or Face Unlock (on models with infrared cameras, for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra);
- 📵 Turn it off. NFC Public places: This will prevent unauthorized reading of data (although the risk is minimal due to the short range of the chip);
- 🛡️ Set up payment notifications: In Google Pay or a banking app, turn on alerts for each transaction;
- 🔄 Regularly update the software: in new versions MIUI Vulnerabilities related to NFC.
Myth: "My phone can be tricked by bringing a different terminal." In fact, it requires unlocking the screen to confirm the payment, and the card details are encrypted and not transferred to the store.
- Remotely lock your device via Find My Device (Google) or Mi Cloud.
- Delete all payment cards via the Google Pay web version or the banking app.
- Contact the bank to block the cards.
What to do if your phone is stolen?
Payment in transport and abroad
Contactless payments via Xiaomi phone work not only in stores, but also in public transport (for example, in the Moscow metro or trolleybuses of St. Petersburg).
- Make sure that there are enough funds in your card account in Google Pay or Mi Pay;
- Bring the unlocked phone to the validator (distance ~2-3 cm);
- Wait for the green signal and the audible confirmation.
When paying abroad, consider:
- 💱 Conversion fees: Some banks charge up to 3% for foreign currency transactions;
- 🌐 Support for local payment systems: Alipay and WeChat Pay are popular in China, which do not work with the Internet NFC (need QR-code);
- 📶 Roaming: The Internet may be required to confirm payments (for example, for the purpose of SMS bank).
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Before traveling abroad, add a backup card (such as Revolut or Wise) to Google Pay with low currency exchange fees.