How to make contactless payment from Xiaomi Redmi phone without NFC: all ways of 2026

Introduction: Why NFC is Not Required for Contactless Payments

If your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone does not support NFC technology (for example, Redmi 9A models, Redmi 8 or POCO M3), this does not mean that you are deprived of the ability to pay with a phone without cash. Modern payment systems offer alternative solutions that work through QR- codes, UPI- transfers (Unified Payments Interface) or even cloud-based tokenized cards and choose the right method.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 proven non-NFC contactless payment methods on Xiaomi Redmi, compare their speed, security and convenience, and give step-by-step instructions for everyone. You’ll learn how to link a card to Google Pay without NFC, use SberPay via QR, configure Mi Pay (yes, it works without a chip!), and even pay via instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram. All methods are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and tested on models without NFC hardware support.

1 Payment via QR- Codes: SberPay, Tinkoff and Alpha-Click

The most versatile way is to generate a QR- code to pay directly on your phone screen, and it's read by the terminal in the store, and the money is written off from the attached card, the advantage of the method is that it works on any Redmi, even on older models like the Redmi 5A or Redmi Note 5, where there is no NFC.

How this works in practice:

1. The cashier forms a check and displays the QR- code on the terminal (or prints it out).
2. You open a banking application (for example, SberBank Online), select the option "Pay by QR".
3. The scanner in the app reads the code and you confirm the payment.

• 🏦 SberPay: Built into SberBank Online. Supports all Sberbank cards, including the World and Visa/Mastercard. Limit to 100 000 ₽ per month.
• 💳 Tinkoff Pay: Works with Tinkoff cards and some other banks. There's cashback up to 30% at affiliate stores.
• 🔵 Alpha Click: Alfa-Bank App with Pay QR feature. Supports Mastercard and Visa cards.

⚠️ Warning: Some terminals (especially in smaller stores) may not support QR- payment. Check with the cashier before buying if they have this method. Also note the commission: in rare cases, banks charge 0.5-1% for such transfers (usually indicated in the rates).

2. Google Pay without NFC: Cloud tokenization of cards

Many people think that Google Pay works only with NFC, but it doesn’t. It supports cloud tokenization, a technology where card data is stored on Google servers and a virtual number is used to pay, which works in some online stores and applications (e.g. Yandex.Food, Delivery Club), where you can choose Google Pay as a payment method without being tied to NFC.

How to set up:

1. Open Google Pay and add a card (Visa, Mastercard, World are supported).
2. Confirm the binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.
3. In online services where there is an option “Pay through Google Pay”, select it – the system will automatically substitute tokenized card data.

⚠️ Warning: Virtual cards in Google Pay don't work in offline stores without NFC. This method is only suitable for online purchases. Also make sure your bank supports tokenization - some regional banks may not provide it.

Add a card to Google Pay| Check tokenization support from the bank | Update the Google Pay app to the latest version |Enable autocomplete payment data in your phone settings-->

3. Mi Pay: Xiaomi's hidden feature for QR- codes

Few people know, but Xiaomi smartphones have its own payment application – Mi Pay. It was originally developed for the market of India and China, but works in Russia, and does not require NFC.

How to set up Mi Pay on Redmi:

1. Download the Mi Pay app from the Mi App Store or APKPure (the official Google Play doesn’t offer it).
2. Sign up via your phone number or Xiaomi account.
3. Add a card (Visa, Mastercard, and some World cards are supported through partner banks).
4. To pay in the store, select "Pay via QR" and show the generated code to the cashier.

• 🌍 Supported banks in Russia: Tinkoff Bank Alfa-Bank (partially) Raiffeisenbank Opening
• 🛒 Where they take: Magnet, Pyatyorochka, Crossroads, some gas stations (Lukoil, Gazpromneft).
• 💰 Limits: Up to 50,000 ₽ per day (depending on the bank).

⚠️ Warning: Mi Pay may not work on custom firmware or if Google services are disabled on your phone, and the app will sometimes block IP due to geo-restrictions - in this case, use VPN with servers in India or Singapore (e.g., ProtonVPN).

4. Payment via instant messengers: WhatsApp Pay and Telegram Bot

If you're a big user of WhatsApp or Telegram, you can set up payment directly in chat rooms, which is convenient for transferring to friends or shopping at small stores that accept payments via instant messengers.

WhatsApp Pay (available in Russia since 2023):

1. Open a chat with a contact or group where you need to pay.
2. Click on the icon "💳" (or "Payment") in the message entry menu.
3. Select a card to write off (most banks support Visa and Mastercard).
4. Enter the amount and confirm the payment.

Telegram Bot (e.g. @Wallet or @SberbankBot):

1. Find your bank bot on Telegram (e.g. @SberbankBot for Sberbank).
2. Sign in through the phone number linked to the card.
3. Use bot commands for transfers (e.g. /pay).
4. To pay in stores, show the seller the QR- code generated by the bot.

⚠️ Warning: When paying via instant messengers, always check the recipient's details. Fraudsters often create fake accounts with store names (such as Ozone Support) and ask for a card to pay "to speed up the order." Official stores never ask for a transfer to a personal card!

💡

To avoid errors when paying via instant messengers, enable two-factor authentication in your account settings and always check the recipient's name in the payment window. If the seller asks to pay "to a friend's card" because "the terminal broke" is 100% fraud.

5. UPI- Payments: How to use Xiaomi Redmi

UPI (Unified Payments Interface is an Indian payment system that is gaining popularity in Russia due to low fees and instant transfers. To use it on Redmi, you will need the PhonePe app or Google Pay (India), but there is a caveat: officially, it is not a problem. UPI It only works with Indian bank accounts, but some Russian banks (such as Tinkoff) have started to support them. UPI partner-services.

How to set up UPI on Redmi:

1. Download PhonePe or Google Pay (India) from APK (e.g., APKPure).
2. Register with a Russian phone number (a VPN with Indian IP is required).
3. Attach your Visa/Mastercard card via the “International Card” option.
4. Generate your UPI ID (like your name@ybl).
5. To pay in stores, show the seller the QR- code or enter it UPI ID manually.

• ⚡ Benefits of UPI: Instant translations 24/7. Low commissions (0–0.5%). Works without NFC and even without the Internet (via USSD).
• ⚠️ Restrictions: Not all Russian banks support UPI. There may be problems with refunds. VPN is required to register.

⚠️ Warning: When using UPI through VPN, don’t keep large amounts in your accounts. Indian payment systems can block your account if you suspect fraud (for example, if you change IP frequently).

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UPI is the cheapest contactless payment method without NFC, but is only suitable for technically trained users.If you are not ready to deal with VPN and Indian banks, choose QR- payment via SberPay or Mi Pay.

Comparison of methods: what way to choose

To determine the best option, we will evaluate each method according to the key criteria: speed, safety, versatility and complexity of setting.

Selection recommendations:

• 🛒 For offline purchases: SberPay or Mi Pay (if your bank is supported).
• 🌐 For online payments: Google Pay (tokenization) or a linked card in the browser.
• 👥 For transfers to friends: WhatsApp Pay or Telegram bots.
• 💰 For cost savings: UPI (if you are ready to deal with the setup).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions