How to set up contactless payment on Xiaomi: NFC, Google Pay and Mi Pay

Contactless payment via Xiaomi smartphone is no longer exotic — it’s now the standard way to pay in stores, cafes and transport. But despite the ubiquity of the technology, users still have questions: how to turn on NFC on Redmi or POCO, which bank cards are supported, why the terminal can’t see the phone, and whether you can pay without the Internet. This article closes all the gaps from choosing the right model to solving rare payment errors.

We’ll not only break down the basic setup through Google Pay (now Google Wallet), but also alternative ways: the branded Mi Pay app for China, adding transport cards (like Troikas or Arrows), as well as the nuances of security – why you sometimes need to unlock the screen before paying and how to protect card data from scammers. If your Xiaomi does not support NFC, at the end of the article there is a list of current models from 2023-2026 with this feature.

What Xiaomi models support contactless payment

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have an NFC chip, depending on the model, the region of sale, and even the firmware version. For example, the Redmi Note 11 in the global version (marked Global) often lacks a module, whereas the Chinese version (China) has one. To make sure you don’t make a mistake when buying, check the specifications on the official website or use the table below.

Also, note that Google Pay requires support for HCE (Host Card Emulation), a technology that emulates a bank card without a physical chip. Most modern Xiaomi supports it, but budget models (such as the POCO M5) may have restrictions. If you plan to use Mi Pay (for China), you will need Chinese firmware and a card from one of the supported banks (for example, China Construction Bank).

Attention! If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, be sure to check for NFC through the Settings menu → Connected Devices → NFC. Some sellers deliberately hide the lack of a module by passing off the phone as “full-featured.”

Preparing the smartphone: turning on NFC and checking compatibility

Before setting up contactless payment, make sure that your Xiaomi has three key conditions:

• 📱 NFC-chip is present (see table above or model specifications).
• 🔄 Updated to the latest version (especially important for the MIUI 14/15).
• 🔒 Screen locked PIN-code or pattern lock (Google Pay security requirement).

To enable NFC, go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and activate the switch. In some models (e.g. POCO F5), the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Wireless Networks → NFC. Once turned on, it is recommended to check the module’s operation – for this:

1. Open the Google Pay (or Google Wallet) app.
2. Click on the profile icon → Settings → Contactless payments.
3. If the system says “Configure contactless payments”, then the NFC is working correctly.

Important: On some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), NFC may conflict with power saving features. If payment doesn't work, turn off Ultra Savings mode or add Google Pay to the battery optimization exception list.

Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Install PIN-code

Enable NFC in the settings

Download Google Pay from Google Play Market

Check the compatibility of the bank card-->

Setting up Google Pay (Google Wallet) on Xiaomi

Google Pay (now Google Wallet) is the most versatile contactless payment method for Xiaomi in Russia and Europe.The application supports most bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, Mir) and allows you to link transport cards, discount coupons and even digital keys (such as a car).

1. Download the app from Google Play (unless it is installed by default).
2. Open Google Wallet and click Add Card → Payment Card.
3. Scan the card with the camera or enter the data manually (number, expiration date, CVC).
4. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
5. Install Google Pay as the default application for contactless payments (the offer will appear automatically).

Once you add a card, you can use it to pay by simply bringing your unlocked smartphone to the terminal. Attention! Some banks (like Tinkoff or Sberbank) require you to unlock your screen every time you pay, a security measure that you can't turn off.

If the terminal is not responding to the phone:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📶 Check that NFC enabled and no conflicts with other applications (e.g. Mi Pay).
• 💳 Make sure the terminal supports Mastercard Contactless or Visa payWave.

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If you have two. SIM-card, and payment does not pass, try to temporarily disable the second SIM. Some banks tie payments to a specific phone number, which can cause conflicts.

Mi Pay: an alternative for China and Asia

Mi Pay is developed by Xiaomi and is designed primarily for the Chinese market, and supports local payment systems such as UnionPay, as well as subway fares in Beijing or Shanghai, but Mi Pay is almost useless in Russia and Europe due to the lack of support from local banks.

If you want to try it (for example, for a trip to China), consider:

• 📱 Chinese firmware required (Global version does not support Mi Pay).
• 💳 You need a card of one of the partner banks (the list is on the official website).
• 🔒 App requests binding to Chinese phone number.

For installation:

1. Download. APK-Mi Pay file from a trusted source (e.g. APKPure).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings.
3. Launch the application and follow the instructions (the interface is in Chinese, but you can use a translator).

⚠️ Attention: Using Chinese firmware and apps like Mi Pay may violate Xiaomi’s warranty in Russia, and such firmware often contains pre-installed Chinese services that are difficult to remove.

Transport cards: Troika, Arrow and others

In addition to bank cards, you can link transport cards to Xiaomi via NFC, which is convenient for paying for fares by subway, buses or trains. In Moscow and the region, Troika is supported, in St. Petersburg - Strelka, in Kiev - Kyiv electronic ticket.

For Troika:

1. Download the My Pass from Google Play app.
2. Sign up through the state services or by phone number.
3. Click Add Card → Three and follow the instructions.
4. Bring your phone to the terminal in the subway for activation.

For the Gunner:

• Use the app Shooter SPb.
• Link the card to your account and transfer it to your phone via NFC.
• Pay for the fare by bringing the smartphone to the validator (like a regular card).

⚠️ Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Do not support emulation of transport cards due to chip limitations NFC. Before buying, check this information with the manufacturer.

Contactless Payments: How to Protect Your Money

Contactless payment is convenient, but scammers don’t sleep, and here are the key security measures for Xiaomi:

• 🔐 Always lock the screen. PIN-Without unlocking, payment is possible only for amounts up to 1000-1500 rubles (the limit is set by the bank).
• 📵 Turn it off. NFC, This will prevent accidental write-offs (for example, if the phone is lying next to the terminal).
• 🛡️ Do not store photos of cards in a gallery or the cloud.
• 🔄 Check your mobile bank’s transaction history regularly.

If the phone is stolen:

1. Block cards immediately via mobile bank or by number on the back of the card.
2. Delete your Google Pay data remotely through your Google account.
3. Use Find the device in MIUI to erase all data.

NFC security myths:

• ❌ "Fraudsters can write off money simply by bringing their terminal to the phone in the subway – impossible without unlocking the screen (for amounts above the limit).
• ❌ "NFC Consumes a lot of battery – the module is activated only when brought to the terminal.
• ✅ "If you lose your phone, scammers will be able to pay with my card – yes, if you do not block your card or Google account.

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The most reliable protection is two-factor authentication in a mobile bank and regular monitoring of transactions, even if an attacker gets access to the phone, without any access to the phone. SMS-code he will not be able to confirm payments.

Solving common problems

If contactless payment doesn't work, there can be a variety of reasons, from the trivial to the technical.

If the problem is not resolved:

• 📞 Contact the bank support (number on the back of the card).
• 🔧 Reset the settings. NFC In Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting wireless network settings.
• 🔄 Reinstall Google Pay or upgrade Google Play services.

⚠️ Attention, if after the update MIUI Contactless payment stopped working, check if the settings in the region are lost. Some firmware automatically changes region to China, which blocks Google Pay. → Additionally. → Region.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions