The modern pace of life dictates its rules, and the ability to make purchases with a single touch of a smartphone has become a necessity. However, owners of budget models such as the Xiaomi Redmi 7A often face technical limitations associated with the lack of an NFC module. This does not mean that you are doomed to carry plastic cards or cash, just approach the issue of contactless payment should be more ingenious.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to turn your Redmi. 7A You will learn how to set up Mi Pay and Google Pay, even if they do not work in the classic way, and also consider alternative applications of banks that allow you to pay for purchases through the Internet. QR-card-emotion.
Although it was released a few years ago, it remains popular because of its reliability and autonomy, and we will help you maximize its potential so that you can freely dispose of your funds in stores, cafes and transport, using only your gadget.
Redmi 7A technical features and lack of NFC
The first thing to understand when trying to set up contactless payment on the Redmi 7A is the hardware limitation. Unlike flagship devices, in the low-end segment, manufacturers often save on installing a short-range chip, which is responsible for transferring encrypted data to the payment card terminal at the checkout.
Absence NFC-The module doesn't make the smartphone useless for financial transactions, but it changes the scenario of their execution. The standard "applied and paid" method here won't work physically, because the device simply has nothing to count the signal of the terminal. MIUI Android ecosystem provides other tools.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to install software emulators NFC They can't add a physical chip to your phone, but they can contain malicious code that steals your credit card details.
It is also important to consider the operating system version and file system access level. Some methods may require Root rights, which gives you complete control of the system, but deprives you of warranties and can disrupt banking applications due to security checks.
Checking for the presence of NFC module on the device
Before you start to set up complex settings, you should finally make sure that the cherished antenna is in your device. Sometimes users confuse the lack of a feature in the menu with a breakdown, although in the case of the Redmi 7A, it is precisely the design feature of the model.
The easiest way to check is to visually search for the NFC logo on the back of the device or in the documentation set. If the logo is not there, it is not a guarantee that it will not be there, but for this model it is a sure sign. A more reliable method is software diagnostics through system settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing. If you don't see "NFC" on the list, you don't have a hardware module installed, and you can also use third-party hardware diagnostics tools that will show you a full list of supported sensors.
Hidden methods of checking NFC
There's a myth that incorporating NFC into hidden engineering menus can activate an antenna, and that's a misconception that if a chip isn't soldered on the motherboard, no amount of software manipulation will make it work, so we're going to go right to the working alternatives.
Google Pay Alternatives for Non-NFC Payment
With classic Google Pay (now Google Wallet) tied to NFC for contactless payments in terminals, Redmi 7A owners have to find workarounds, and Russian banks and app developers have been quick to adapt to new realities and offer solutions.
The main focus is now on paying for QR-The use of fast payment widgets and codes (SBP) and the use of special quick payment widgets, which do not require physical proximity to the terminal, just a smartphone camera and the Internet are enough.
Let’s look at the main applications that can replace the standard payment:
- 📱 Applications of banks - Sberbank Online, Tinkoff and others allow you to generate QR-payment code directly in the application.
- 💳 Mi Pay is Xiaomi’s own development, which in some regions and with some banks allows you to add cards, although the functionality is limited.
- 🔗 Payment services – applications like “World Pay” or specialized wallets that work through Internet acquiring.
It's important to understand the difference between technology, and if the terminal only supports tap-to-pay, it's not. NFC You can't run a check just by bringing the phone up. QR-code or use the card physically.
Instructions: Set up Mi Pay and add cards
Despite the limitations, it is still worth trying to add a card to your Mi Pay system wallet, which in some cases allows you to use the card for payment in apps or on sites, even if you do not pay in offline stores. The setup process is quite simple and does not require deep technical knowledge.
First, make sure your Redmi 7A has the latest available version of the MIUI shell installed. Then look for the Security app or the separate Mi Pay app in the Tools folder. If the app is missing, you can try downloading it through GetApps or the official Xiaomi website.
☑️ Setup Mi Pay
Once the card is entered, the bank will check if the bank supports tokenization for Mi Pay, the card will be added, however, due to sanctions and restrictions, cards of many Russian banks may not be added or marked as “Not supported”.
⚠️ Note: When adding a card to Mi Pay, carefully check the name of the issuing bank. If the bank is under sanctions, adding the card to foreign payment services is impossible, use only Russian analogues.
If the standard method doesn’t work, you can try adding a card through your Mi Account settings. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Payments and Subscriptions. Sometimes the system offers to add a card to pay for Xiaomi services, and this card can be displayed in the profile.
Payment through the applications of banks: SBERBANK Online
The most reliable payment method for Redmi 7A owners is the use of native banking applications. In the case of Sberbank, the functionality of the SBERBANK Online application allows you to completely replace the plastic card in most outlets.
To pay, you do not need to set up anything in advance, except to install the application itself and register in it. At the checkout of the store, select the payment method "SBP" or "Payment by Payment". QR-The cashier will generate the code that you read with the phone's camera.
The algorithm of actions when paying is as follows:
- Open the SBERBANK Online app on your Xiaomi.
- Click on the "Payments" button or select the "Payment by Payment" section QR-code".
- Point the camera at the code provided by the seller.
- Confirm the amount and select an account to write off the funds.
The advantage of this method is its versatility: it works on any Android smartphone with a camera, regardless of the year of release and the presence of NFC. In addition, transactions through SBP are often not subject to a fee for the seller, which makes this method popular in small businesses.
💡
Add the Pay by QR widget to Xiaomi’s desktop, which allows you to open the scanner in one touch without looking for the app in the menu, which greatly speeds up the payment process at the checkout.
Comparison of payment methods on Xiaomi without NFC
To help you choose the most convenient option, we have prepared a comparative table of available methods, which will help you assess the pros and cons of each method in the context of using the Redmi 7A.
| Payment method | NFC required | Speed of payment | Universality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pay (NFC) | Yes. | Tall. | Tall. |
| Payment by QR (SBP) | No. | Medium | Growing |
| Mi Pay (Cards of the Russian Federation) | No (partially) | Medium | Low. |
| Stickers on NFC | No (external) | Tall. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, the classic Google Pay without NFC It's not available, but it's a payment for QR-The code is a complete replacement, requiring only the Internet. NFC — These are external devices that are glued to the phone and reprogrammed through the bank’s application, but they require the purchase of additional equipment.
Universality QR-And the codes are growing every year, and if they were only accepted in small stores, now large networks are also adopting this technology, realizing the convenience and cost of servicing such transactions.
Use of the NFC-Stickers as an Alternative
If you do not want to take out your phone for scanning QR-codes and want to keep the usual ritual of "application", for you there is a solution in the form of NFC-These are little stickers with a chip that are programmed through a bank app.
Banks like Tinkoff or Sber periodically release stickers like this, and you order them in an app, tie them to your card, and then glue them to the back of a Redmi 7A. When you bring your phone to the terminal, it's the sticker that works, not the phone.
This is the only way to emulate contactless payment on devices without a built-in module, while maintaining the user experience, the phone can even be turned off, as long as the sticker is intact and not damaged.
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NFC-The sticker is the physical media of your card in miniature, and it doesn't depend on battery power or smartphone settings, working like a regular plastic card.