Smartphones are no longer just a phone, but a full-fledged digital wallet. For low-end but powerful models like the Xiaomi Redmi 9, the ability to pay with a touch of the phone is a key advantage in everyday life. However, the process of setting up contactless payments on Chinese devices has its own nuances that often confuse users.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate correctly. NFC-You will learn why some cards may not be added and how to avoid common errors when pairing with terminals in stores. It is important to understand that successful integration depends not only on the availability of the module, but also on the correctness of the shell software settings. MIUI.
Verification of hardware compatibility and software version
Before you start setting up the software, you need to make sure that your device physically supports contactless technology. The Redmi 9 came in several versions for different markets, and the presence of an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip is not guaranteed in all regional versions. If the module is not hardware, no software dances with a diamond will not force the phone to pay for purchases.
For quick diagnostics, use the built-in engineering menu or third-party utilities that will tell you exactly if there is an antenna in your case. It is also critical to update the operating system to the latest available version, since older Android builds can contain security bugs that block payment applications.
⚠️ Note: If your specification (indicated on the box or in the About phone settings) does not mention NFC, Trying to emulate a card through third-party patches can result in a Google account being blocked or the system being unstable.
Verification of the software is done through the standard settings menu, where you can see the build number and the date of the last security update. Make sure you have the current version of Google Play Services installed, as this system component is responsible for tokenizing the card data.
NFC Activation and Basic System Configuration
Once the module is confirmed, you need to activate it correctly in the system. The standard turn on path is often hidden in the depth of the menu, and users sometimes activate only the file transfer function, forgetting about the emulation mode. To work correctly, Google Pay (or its analogues) you need to choose the correct mode of operation of the chip.
Go to settings, select Connections and Sharing or simply More where the switch is located. NFC. Turn it on and be sure to go to the additional settings to select the security element. By default, it may be there. SIM-card HCE, Payment systems often require specific settings.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to Connections and Sharing.
- 💳 Find a point. NFC and activate the slider in the "On" position".
- ⚙️ Click on the text "NFC", to enter the advanced module settings.
- 🔒 In the paragraph "Security element" select HCE Wallet or SIM-card (depending on the bank).
Selecting a security item is a critical time, if your bank requires a binding SIM-map (technology) SIM-card-holder NFC), You have to choose the appropriate slot, but most modern cards use virtual tokens stored in the phone's secure memory, so the mode is not a single one. HCE (Host Card Emulation is the most universal.
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After the NFC is turned on, the Redmi 9 screen may have an “N” icon. If it flashes for no reason, then the phone is trying to count some kind of mark – remove the magnetic cases or cards from the phone.
Installation and configuration of the payment application
It used to be simple: download Google Pay, tie a card, pay. Now the landscape has changed, and Xiaomi devices often require additional services or alternative applications if the direct service Google Pay is not supported by a bank in your area. First of all, make sure that the phone has an official Google Play app store.
If you are in a region where Google Pay is not officially working with local banks, you will need to install your bank’s app that supports card emulation, or use Mir Pay (for Russia) / Samsung Pay (on other devices, but sometimes works through crutches).
The process of adding a map:
1. Open the application of the bank or payment system.
2. Press "+" or "Add card".
3. scan the card with the camera or enter the data manually.
4. Accept the terms of the agreement.
5 Enter the confirmation code from the SMS.During the peg, the bank can request confirmation of the transaction via a call center or via a push notification in the bank’s main application, which is the standard verification procedure that protects your funds, and after successful peg, the card is marked “Ready to Pay”.
☑️ Checking readiness for payment
Adding a bank card to Google Wallet
Google’s modern ecosystem uses Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay) as a store of value, and that’s where all your payment tools come in, and when you add a card, it makes it difficult to check for root rights or a modified bootloader, which is a requirement for payment systems to be secure.
If your Redmi 9 has an unlocked bootloader (unlocked Bootloader), the payment application may not work, which would require flashing the stock version or using special magic modules to hide the rights of the superuser, which is a complex and risky procedure.
| Type of card | Support for NFC | Required SOFTWARE | Security status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard | Complete. | Google Wallet | High (Tokenization) |
| Mir (RF) | Limited. | Mir Pay/Bank | Medium (depending on the bank) |
| UnionPay | Complete. | Google Wallet / Cloud | High-pitched |
| Virtual card | Complete. | Bank's annex | High-pitched |
In the process of adding, you will be asked to set the screen lock if it is not already activated. This is a mandatory requirement: NFC payment is not possible on a device without a pin code, pattern lock or fingerprint. Without the screen lock installed, adding a card to Google Wallet is technically impossible.
Payment problems and methods of their solution
Even when set up correctly, there can be crashes: the terminal can't see the phone, the payment doesn't go through, or the app crashes. Most often, the problem is an application conflict or the wrong choice of the default application for NFC. Android allows you to choose which application should respond to the terminal.
Go to the NFC settings and find Contact Payments or Default Payment, make sure that it selects the app you want to pay with at the moment, and if it says Ask or another app, the terminal may not get the right token.
⚠️ Note: When you bring the phone to the terminal, the screen must be unlocked (not necessarily enter the menu, just remove the lock). NFC may not be activated to transfer a payment token.
It’s also worth checking if antivirus or MIUI protection is blocking the payment application from running in the background, go to the battery settings, find your payment application, and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from “killing” the payment process at the most inopportune time.
What to do if the card is not added?
Use of biometrics and payment security
Xiaomi Redmi 9 features a fingerprint scanner located on the back, which is a convenient solution for confirming payments. Using biometrics not only speeds up the payment process, but also significantly improves security, since the physical presence of the owner is required to conduct a transaction.
You can choose the authorization method in the payment application settings, you should use a fingerprint or Face ID, as entering a pin code every time can be inconvenient in a public place. However, remember that biometric data is stored in a secure isolated module of the phone and is not transmitted to the network.
- 👆 Set up your fingerprint in Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprints.
- 🔐 In the Google Wallet app, enable the option “Device unlock required".
- 🛡️ Make sure that no suspicious applications with administrator rights are installed on the phone.
Check your bank’s transaction history regularly. If you lose your phone, you can remotely block your cards via Google’s Find Device service or through an online bank. This is a standard procedure that instantly renders the tokens in your phone invalid for terminals.
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Payment security on Redmi 9 depends not only on NFC technology, but also on your vigilance: never pass codes from SMS to third parties and use a screen lock.