Which Pay is best to use on Xiaomi smartphones: a detailed comparison of 2026

Choosing a contactless payment service for Xiaomi’s smartphone is not as easy as it seems, and it’s not just the convenience of payment that matters, but the security of your finances, card compatibility, and even transaction speed that will be at stake in 2026, POCO Xiaomi and Google Pay have three main options: Google Pay (now Google Wallet), Mi Pay (the official solution from Xiaomi) and SberPay (for Sberbank customers.

In this article, we’ll go into detail on everything from supporting specific Xiaomi models to security and added features, which service is best for everyday purchases, which is best for traveling abroad, and which is best avoided due to restrictions, and we’ve tested the speed of payments and stability of each solution on popular devices, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Xiaomi Compatibility: What Pay works on your smartphone

The first thing to check before choosing a service is whether your Xiaomi model supports the chosen Pay service, and not all solutions work on all devices, especially if it is old or budget models.

Google Pay (Google Wallet) is officially supported on all Xiaomi smartphones with Android 5.0+ And Google services. But there are nuances:

• 📱 On devices without Google Mobile Services (GMS) (For example, the Chinese version for the domestic market Google Pay does not work.
• 🔄 In some models (for example, POCO X3 Pro) manual adjustment may be required NFC through settings → Connected devices → NFC.
• 🌍 In some countries (for example, in Russia) Google Pay does not support local bank cards binding.

Mi Pay is the official solution from Xiaomi, but it is not available everywhere:

• 🇨🇳 It only works on devices with MIUI (including global versions) and requires a link to a Chinese Mi Account for full-time operation.
• 💳 Maintains a limited list of banks (mostly Chinese and some international banks).
• ⚠️ In the models with MIUI For Russia (e.g. Redmi 10 2022), Mi Pay can be disabled by default.

SberPay is the most localized solution for Russia, but with the following limitations:

• 🏦 Works only with Sberbank cards and requires an installed application SberBank Online.
• 📲 Supported by all Xiaomi with NFC Android 6.0+, But it can glitch at custom firmware.
• 🔒 To activate the device, you need to confirm the device through SMS or push notification in the banking application.

2. Security comparison: which service is more reliable for payments

Contactless payment security is a critical aspect, and all three services use tokenization technology (replacing a card number with a virtual token) but implement it differently.

Google Pay is considered one of the most secure solutions due to:

• 🔐 Google Titan, the security chip on Google servers.
• 📱 StrongBox (hardware security module in a smartphone) support on Android 9 devices+.
• 🔄 Dynamic generation of tokens for each transaction.

Mi Pay is less transparent in terms of security:

• 🇨🇳 Data is processed on Xiaomi servers in China, which may raise questions from users in other countries.
• 🔓 For authorization of payments is used PIN-Fingerprint or code, but no support 3D Secure 2.0 for all banks.
• ⚠️ In 2022, there were reports of vulnerabilities in the MIUI, interceptor NFC-Payments (corrected in updates).

SberPay relies on Sberbank’s infrastructure:

• 🏦 Uses its own tokenization system SberToken, certified by the standard PCI DSS.
• 📱 Supports biometric authentication (Face) ID or fingerprint) on compatible devices.
• 🔒 All transactions are further verified through Sberbank Online.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi smartphone has unofficial firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), then Google Pay and SberPay can block payments due to a violation of system integrity.

Speed and ease of payments: tests on Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12

We tested the payment speeds of all three services on two devices: the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) and the budget Redmi Note 12 (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1).

Google Pay has shown the best results in terms of speed:

• ⚡ Activation time NFC: 0.8–1.2 sec (on Xiaomi 13 Pro).
• 💳 Transaction processing time: 1.5–2 seconds (including fingerprint confirmation).
• 🔄 On the Redmi Note 12, the speed drops to 2.5-3 seconds due to a less powerful processor.

Mi Pay was the slowest to arrive:

• 🐢 Activation time: 1.5-2 seconds (even on the flagship).
• 🔄 Requires mandatory input PIN-This adds 1-1.5 seconds to each payment.
• ⚠️ Redmi Note 12 sometimes has delays of up to 5 seconds when connecting to the terminal.

SberPay showed average results, but with nuances:

• ⏳ Activation time: 1–1.3 seconds (faster than Mi Pay, but slower than Google Pay).
• 🔒 Requires unlocking the screen before payment, which adds extra action.
• 📶 On a weak Internet (for example, in the subway) can hang during the confirmation stage.

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Google Pay is leading the way in speed, but SberPay can be more convenient for Sberbank users thanks to the integration with the banking application.

We also looked at the convenience of the interface:

• 🎨 Google Pay has the most intuitive design with quick access to maps via widget.
• 🔧 Mi Pay is hidden in the depths MIUI (Settings → Wallet) and requires additional settings.
• 🏦 SberPay automatically pulls up cards from SberBank Online, but the interface is overloaded with banking functions.

4.Bank card support: which cards work with each service

One of the key factors when choosing a Pay service is compatibility with your bank cards, and not all services support all types of cards, especially if we are talking about foreign banks or virtual cards.

Google Pay has the most support:

• 💳 Mastercard and Visa of most banks (including Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank, VTB).
• 🌍 American Express and Discover (for travel abroad).
• 📱 Virtual cards (for example, from Revolut or Wise).
• ⚠️ In Russia since 2022 does not work with maps of the world.

Mi Pay is very limited in this regard:

• 🇨🇳 Mainly supports Chinese bank cards (UnionPay, ICBC, China Construction Bank).
• 💳 From international to only a few Visa/Mastercard from partner banks.
• ❌ Cards of Russian banks are not supported.
• 🔄 A Chinese phone number is required to add a card.

SberPay is focused exclusively on Sberbank customers:

• 🏦 Only Sberbank cards (debit and credit).
• 💳 Supports MIR, Visa and Mastercard from Sberbank.
• ❌ Cards of other banks (even subsidiaries, for example, PSB) are not added.
• 🔄 Virtual cards of Sberbank (for example, SberCard) are supported.

⚠️ Note: If you travel abroad frequently, Google Pay is the only option that will work with most foreign terminals. SberPay and Mi Pay outside of Russia/China may not be accepted.

5. Additional features: cashback, discounts and bonuses

Payment services today are not just a payment tool, but a way to get cashbacks, discounts, or bonuses, and let's look at what each one offers.

Google Pay is integrated with the Google Rewards loyalty program:

• 🎁 Cashback up to 5% in some partner stores (e.g. MVideo, Eldorado).
• 💰 Ability to link discount cards (for example, Crossroads, Magnet).
• 📱 Integration with Google Pay Passes – Storage of tickets, credits and loyalty cards.
• ⚠️ In Russia, some functions (for example, cashback) may be limited.

Mi Pay offers bonuses in the Xiaomi ecosystem:

• 🎁 Cashback in the form of Mi Points (you can spend on purchases in the Mi Store).
• 🛒 Xiaomi devices discounts when paying through Mi Pay (promotions are held once a quarter).
• 🇨🇳 Most bonuses are only available to Chinese users.
• ❌ In Russia and Europe, the loyalty program is not working.

SberPay is closely integrated with the Sberbank ecosystem.

• 💳 Cashback up to 10% on Sberbank shares (for example, in Pyatyorochka or Auchan).
• 🎁 Bonuses Thanks for Payment (1 point) = 1 ruble for write-off).
• 🏦 The ability to make a loan or deposit directly from the SberBank Online application.
• 🔄 Cashback is credited only to Sberbank cards.

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If you use cashback a lot, install the Google Pay or SberPay widget on the home screen, which will speed up access to cards and promotions.

6.How to set up each Pay service on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Consider how to activate each service on a Xiaomi smartphone.The process may vary slightly depending on the model and version. MIUI, But the overall pattern remains similar.

Setting up Google Pay (Google Wallet)

1. Download the Google Wallet app from the Play Market.

2. Open the application and click Add card.

3. scan the card or enter the data manually.Some banks will require confirmation via SMS bank-app.

4. After adding the card, configure the confirmation method (fingerprint, PIN screen-opening).

5.To speed up payments, add the Google Wallet widget to the home screen.

Setup Mi Pay

1. Make sure your smartphone is working on MIUI (global or Chinese version).

2. Go to Settings → purse → Mi Pay.

3. Attach Mi Account (Create a Chinese account if necessary).

4. Add a bank card (you will need a Chinese phone number for confirmation).

5.Tune in. PIN-Payment code for Mi Pay settings → Security.

SberPay setup

1. Install or update the SberBank Online application.

2. Open the application, go to the Payments section → SberPay.

3. Follow the instructions for linking the card (confirmation through the SMS push).

4. Turn it on. NFC on a smartphone (Settings) → Connected devices → NFC).

5. For convenience, add SberPay to the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).

⚠️ Note: If you don't make payments after you set up, check if the terminal is in the "MIR Cards Only" mode, in which case Google Pay and Mi Pay won't work even if the card is tied.

7 Problems and Errors: What to Do When Pay Doesn't Work

Even when set up properly, payment services can fail, and let's look at the most common problems and ways to solve them.

Google Pay does not add a map:

• 🔄 Solution: Update Google Play Services and clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the cache).
• 📱 If the card is not supported, try adding it through a banking app (e.g. Tinkoff or Alpha Click).
• 🌍 For the World Cards, use SberPay or Mi Pay (if available).

Mi Pay gives the error "Service is not available":

• 🇨🇳 Solution: Make sure your Mi Account is linked to the Chinese region. VPN.
• 📲 Check if Mi Pay is enabled in the settings MIUI (Settings → purse).
• 🔄 Reinstall updates to MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

SberPay is not recognized by the terminal:

• 🔒 Solution: Make sure the terminal supports contactless payments via smartphone (look for a sign) 📱 or NFC).
• 📶 Check your internet connection – SberPay requires online confirmation for every transaction.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again. If it doesn't work, delete and add the card again.

NFC doesn't work at all:

• 🔧 Check if it's on. NFC in settings (Settings) → Connected devices → NFC).
• 📱 Some Xiaomi models NFC It is turned off when the battery is below 15%.
• 🔄 If NFC not enabled, reset network settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi Pay Services