Owning a Troika card has become the standard for metropolitan residents, providing quick access to public transport. However, the situation when the account suddenly runs out at the wrong moment at the turnstile is familiar to many. For Xiaomi smartphone users, this process is greatly simplified thanks to built-in NFC modules and optimized shell MIUI or HyperOS.
Checking your balance through your phone avoids queues at the checkout and using yellow terminals that aren’t always working. In 2026, Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers multiple scenarios for interacting with transport cards, from standard system features to specialized software. It’s important to understand which method will be most effective in your situation, as some methods require an active Internet connection, while others work offline.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of controlling the balance of funds, paying special attention to the nuances of the work. NFC-You will learn how to avoid common reading errors and why the Metro Moscow app can work more stable than third-party counterparts on devices of the Chinese brand.
Using NFC for Instant Verification
The fastest and most technologically advanced way to find out the balance of funds is to use contactless technology. Virtually all modern Xiaomi models are equipped with a mobile phone. NFC-It's a chip that allows you to read data from the card without having to physically contact the terminal. You don't need the Internet to do a successful operation, because the data is exchanged directly between the card chip and the phone module.
To work, you need to activate the function in the system. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC and make sure the switch is green. In some versions of MIUI, it is useful to also enable the option “Map Emulation Mode”, although this is not always critical for simple balance reading. Apply the Troika card to the top of the back of the smartphone, where the antenna module is located.
⚠️ Warning: If you have a metallic or magnetic latch case on the card, the readout may not occur. NFC-module will not be able to establish a connection with the card chip.
Once the card is attached, Android automatically recognizes the transport application, a notification will pop up on the screen with the current balance and the number of trips remaining. If the automatic pop-up does not appear, this may mean that another payment application is selected by default in the system, in which case, open the NFC settings and select HCE Wallet or the system service under the Security Element or Default Payment option.
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Location. NFC-The antennas on different Xiaomi models are different: on flagships it is usually in the top third of the body, and on budget Redmi can be shifted to the center.
Official application of Metro Moscow
The most functional tool for Android smartphone owners, including Xiaomi, is the official Metro Moscow app, which provides advanced statistics and allows you not only to check the balance, but also to replenish the card, as well as to register subscriptions.
Once installed and first set up, the application will request permission to use geolocation and NFC. These rights are necessary for the correct operation of the read functions. The application interface is adapted to modern Material Design standards and is easy to read even on small screens. To check the balance, you just run the program and attach the card to the back of the device.
- 📱 Travel history: The app keeps a detailed chronology of your movements, indicating the time and the entry/exit station.
- 💳 Map management: the ability to link multiple Troika cards and switch between them in one click.
- 🎫 Ticket purchase: instant balance replenishment or activation of tariffs "United" and "90 minutes" without commission.
An important advantage of using official software on Xiaomi is the ability to add a widget to the desktop. This allows you to see the balance without running the application itself. However, it is worth considering that widgets in the MIUI shell require separate activation in the editing mode of the desktop. If the widget does not update automatically, pull it down for forced synchronization.
Verification via SMS and USSD-request
In situations where the smartphone is discharged or the NFC function is temporarily unavailable, the classic methods remain relevant. The operator of the Moscow Metro has retained the ability to receive information through text messages. This method is universal and works on any phone, including button models, which are often used as second devices.
To get a balance, you need to send an SMS to the short number 3210, you should specify the balance command or just the word "balance" in the body of the message, the answer will come automatically within a few seconds, this method does not require Internet access, but is charged at the standard rates of your mobile operator for outgoing SMS.
| Team team. | Sending number | Description of action | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| balance | 3210 | Checking the current balance sheet | Operator's fare |
| trk <card number> | 3210 | Checking balance by card number | Operator's fare |
| help | 3210 | Help on available teams | Operator's fare |
An alternative to SMS is the use of USSD-requests, however, for a Troika card USSD-The code for checking balance without the Internet is not provided due to the architecture of the security system of cards, so SMS remains the only "offline" way to communicate with the transport server without using the Internet. NFC. Make sure that the phone is installed SIM-A positive balance card for successful request submission.
☑️ Checking the SMS service
Use of widgets and fast commands
The HyperOS shell on Xiaomi smartphones offers advanced desktop customization capabilities, which can be displayed directly to the lock screen or home screen, minimizing the number of actions required, especially for those who use transport daily and want to see the status of the card instantly.
To set up the widget (click) an empty area on your desktop and select "Widgets." In the list, find the Metro Moscow app or Google Pay (if the card is added there). Select the style of the widget that displays the balance and add it to the screen. The system will automatically update the data on the first run.
In addition, users can configure automation through the Google Home app or Xiaomi's built-in scripts, for example, you can create a script: When connecting to a Wi-Fi network"Moscow_Metro_Free" Sending a text to check your balance, which will allow you to get up-to-date information every time you enter the subway area.
⚠️ Note: widgets may consume additional battery power due to background data synchronization. If you notice an accelerated discharge, adjust the widget refresh interval to Manual or Once an hour in the battery settings.
Tariff replenishment and management
Checking the balance is often just the first step before replenishing it. Xiaomi smartphones allow you to perform this operation also without interruption from the Internet. Through the Metro Moscow app or banking applications (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff), you can instantly transfer funds using NFC technology to write a new amount to the card.
The process of recording the deposit requires special attention. After payment in the application, you must attach the card to the phone again to record the transaction on the chip. If you do not do this, the money will be debited from the account, but the balance on the card will not be updated before the first use in the subway.
- 💸 Auto-replenishment: set up automatic replenishment with a balance of less than 100 rubles, so that you never remain without funds.
- 📅 Subscriptions: It is more profitable to buy 30 or 90 days pass than to pay for each trip separately.
- 🔗 Mi Pay Link: While direct phone payment with Troika card is limited, card management through the Mi ecosystem is stable.
What if the money is written off but not signed up for the card?
Addressing common problems
Despite the high reliability of the system, Xiaomi users can face technical difficulties. Often the problem lies in incompatibility of cases or software failures of the NFC service. If the phone stops seeing the card, the first thing you should do is try to restart the device. This resets temporary driver errors.
Another reason could be damage to the Troika card itself, and if there's a microcrack in the antenna or chip that's invisible to the eye, you lose the signal. Check the card with another NFC smartphone. If there's no reading, you need to replace the card at the subway checkout, and keep the old card number to transfer the balance.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to bend the card or expose it to magnetic fields (such as carrying it near powerful speakers or magnetic buckles of bags.
Also worth mentioning is the issue with access rights in new versions of Android 15/16. After updating the operating system on Xiaomi, applications may lose access to NFC. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Moscow Metro → Permits and make sure that access to location and NFC is allowed. Without this, the balance check functionality will not work.
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Timely update of the Metro Moscow app and the system software of the smartphone is the best prevention of problems with card reading and payment.