How to make contactless payment on Xiaomi phone: full instructions from A to Z

Introduction: Why you need contactless payment on Xiaomi

Contactless payments via smartphone have long ceased to be exotic. Today it is the standard method of payment in stores, cafes and public transport. Xiaomi phone owners can use this feature through the built-in NFC chip, which is supported by most of the brand’s modern models – from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

The main advantages of contactless payment via phone: Speed – no need to get out the card or cash, Security – card data is protected by tokenization, Convenience – all payment instruments are always at hand.

However, many users still don’t use this feature simply because they don’t know how to set it up, and this article will help you understand everything from compatibility checks to solving possible problems.

What Xiaomi models support contactless payment

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with an NFC chip, so before setting up payments, it is important to make sure that your model supports this technology.In most cases, the module is present in mid-range and premium devices starting in 2018.

Here are the main series where NFC is most common: Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 10/11.

To check for the module, go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC. If the partition is missing, your phone does not support contactless payments.

It is also worth considering that contactless payments require:

✔️ Android 8.0 or later,

✔️ Support HCE (Host Card Emulation – virtual card emulation,

✔️ Compatible banking application or service (Mi Pay, Google Pay, SberPay, etc.).

⚠️ Note: Some of the models for Redmi and POCO (Like Redmi. 9A or POCO M3) NFC It may not be available even in newer versions. Always check the specifications before buying if this feature is critical.

Preparing the phone for contactless payments

Before adding cards, you need to perform several preparatory steps, which will help to avoid errors and ensure stable operation of the system.

Check for NFC in the settings

Update MIUI to the latest version

Install the required payment application (Mi Pay/Google Pay)

Connect your phone to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Enable geolocation (required for some banks)-->

First, upgrade your MIUI firmware to the current version. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update. Outdated versions of the software may not support new security protocols, which will lead to payment failures.

Next, make sure that one of the contactless payment apps is installed on the phone:

📱 Mi Pay – Xiaomi’s proprietary solution (works with Chinese and some international banks),

💳 Google Pay is a universal service for most bank cards,

🏦 Applications of specific banks (SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online, etc.).

If you plan to use Mi Pay, you need to download it from the Mi App Store or Google Play (depending on the region).

Step-by-step: how to add a card for contactless payment

Consider Google Pay, because it's the most common service, and for other applications, the algorithm will be similar with minor differences.

Step 1. Enable NFC

Open Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and activate the switch. It is recommended to also enable AutoRun when locking the screen - this will allow you to pay for purchases without unlocking the phone.

Step 2: Adding a card to Google Pay

1. Open the Google Pay app.

2.Click Add Card → Credit or Debit Card.

3. scan the card with the camera or enter the data manually.

4. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

Step 3: Set up the default payment

If you have multiple cards, select the main card in Settings → Payment Methods. This is the card that will be used when you touch the phone with no additional choice.

How to Pay for Shopping with Xiaomi Phone

When you add a card, you have to figure out how to make payments, and it's as simple as possible, but there are a few things to consider.

Method 1: Payment through a locked screen

1. Make sure that the NFC is enabled and the card is added to the application.

2. Bring the top of the phone (where the NFC antenna is) to the terminal.

3. Wait for the sound signal or vibration - payment was successful.

In the models with AMOLED-With screens (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), the payment can work even when the display is turned off if the “Always on the screen” function is enabled".

Method 2: Payment via unlocked phone

If autoplay is disabled, unlock your phone, open a payment app (like Google Pay) and select the card you want, then bring the device to the terminal.

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If payment doesn't pass, try bringing the phone to the terminal from a different angle.The NFC antenna is usually located at the top of the back, next to the camera.

It is important to remember the limits of contactless payments:

✅ Up to 1,000. ₽ — without PIN code (in most banks),

✅ Over 1,000. ₽ — PIN or confirmation may be required in the application of the bank.

Some terminals (such as the subway) automatically charge a fixed amount without additional confirmation.

Solving common contactless payment problems

Even after you set it up properly, you can have failures, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone is not recognized by the terminal

🔹 Make sure that NFC included.

🔹 Check if the terminal supports contactless payments (the PayPass logo or PayWave logo should be used).

🔹 Try to bring your phone to another part of the terminal – sometimes the touch area is small.

🔹 Restart the phone and terminal (if possible).

Problem 2: The application does not accept the card

🔹 Make sure the bank supports the service you choose (e.g., World cards don’t work on Google Pay).

🔹 Check if the card has expired.

🔹 Update the payment app to the latest version.

🔹 If you are using Mi Pay, make sure you are signed in to the same Xiaomi account on your phone and in the app.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For the Russian market, Mi Pay may be disabled due to regional restrictions, in which case use Google Pay or banking applications.

Problem 3: Payment is made but the wrong amount is written off

This may be due to:

- Terminal malfunctions (ask the cashier to check the amount manually)

Double charge (usually the money is returned automatically within a day);

Errors in the bank application (check the history of transactions).

In such cases, always keep the check and check the details with the bank.

Contactless Payment Security: Myths and Reality

Many users fear that contactless payments via phone are less secure than traditional cards, but they are not, as modern systems use multiple layers of protection.

How your data is protected:

🔒 Tokenization – instead of a card number, a unique token is transferred, useless for fraudsters,

🔒 Dynamic CVV — A new security code is generated for each transaction,

🔒 Biometrics – unlocking a fingerprint or face adds an extra layer of protection,

🔒 Geolocation – some banks block suspicious transactions from other regions.

However, there are a few rules that will help avoid problems:

❌ Do not store PIN codes and passwords from banking applications in notes on your phone,

❌ Do not hand over the phone to an outsider with the phone on. NFC,

❌ Check your mobile bank history regularly,

❌ Use only official payment apps (from Google Play or AppGallery).

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Contactless payments via phone are safer than physical card payments thanks to multi-level tokenization and biometric authentication.

If your phone is lost or stolen, immediately block your cards via an online bank or call the bank hotline. Most services (like Google Pay) allow you to remotely delete all payment data from your device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contactless payment on Xiaomi