You try to pay with your phone in a store, you bring Xiaomi to the terminal, but instead of a successful payment, you see a “failed to complete payment” error or endless download? Google Pay problems on Redmi, POCO or Mi devices are one of the most common headaches users have. According to statistics, one in five Xiaomi owners experience a non-working contactless payment at least once a year.
In this article, we will not just list the standard tips like “reboot your phone” or “update your app,” but we will explore the deep technical reasons why Google Pay may not work on your Xiaomi model, from hardware constraints to conflicts with MIUI. And we will also provide unique solutions for cases when the problem lies in regional settings or incompatibility with bank cards.
Spoiler: 60 percent of the time, it's not Google Pay itself that's to blame, it's Xiaomi's security settings that you don't even know about. And no, it's not just NFC that's turned on.
NFC Lock at MIUI Level: Hidden Limitations
The first thing that comes to mind when a payment crash is to check if NFC is enabled, but on Xiaomi, this module can be blocked in non-obvious ways, even if the settings are marked "On." Here are the key points:
On devices with MIUI 12+, there is a dual NFC control system: a hardware switch (physical chip) and a software filter (restrictions from Xiaomi). If the second block payments, you will see the error "The device does not support contactless payments", although NFC for file transfer works.
- 🔧 Check the Mode. NFC": Go to Settings. → Connections → NFC Make sure you choose “Payments” and not “Read only".
- 🛡️ Turn off Payment Protection: In some regional firmware MIUI There is a hidden option Settings → Special opportunities → Payment protection that blocks Google Pay in the background.
- 📱 Resetting settings NFC: On the menu. NFC → Additionally. → Reset (not available on all models) This removes the module cache that may conflict with Google Pay.
Especially often, the problem occurs on Redmi Note 10/11 and POCO X3/X4 due to a bug in the firmware, where NFC “falls asleep” after 5 minutes of inactivity.
2.Device Certification Issues: Why Google is Blocking Your Xiaomi
Google Pay only works on devices that have been certified by Google Mobile Services (GMS), however, Xiaomi often ships phones with:
- 🌍 regional firmware (for example, for China), where GMS missing.
- 🔄 Custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.eu) where certificates can be damaged.
- 🛠️ Rooted devices – Google Pay refuses to work on phones with unlocked bootloader.
How to check the certification:
- Install the Google Play Services app.
- Open Settings → Google → Certification of the device.
- If the status is not certified, your Xiaomi will not pass the Google Pay check.
| Xiaomi model | Typical problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 (Global) | Certificate expires after MIUI update | Fastboot with official ROM |
| POCO F3 (CN) | No GMS. | Install Xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience |
| Mi 11 Ultra | Conflict with Mi Pay | Disable Mi Pay in the settings |
Critical information: If your device is not certified, the only official way to fix this is to flash the global version of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool. Using Magisk modules to bypass the check (e.g. Universal SafetyNet Fix) can result in a ban on a Google account.
What happens if you use informal methods to circumvent certification?
3. Conflict with Mi Pay and other payment systems
Xiaomi is preinstalling its own payment app, Mi Pay, which can block Google Pay at the system level, a conflict that is particularly noticeable on the Chinese market (CN-ROM) models, but also occurs on global versions.
How it manifests itself:
When you add a card to Google Pay, you get the error “This device is not supported.”
NFC works for Mi Pay, but not Google Pay.
After installing Google Pay Mi Pay, it automatically resets the NFC settings.
Decisions:
Remove Mi Pay Updates in Settings → Applications
Disable Mi Pay Autostart in Settings → Permissions → Autostart
Reset Mi Pay settings in Settings → Apps → Storage
Install Google Pay as the default payment app (if available)
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On some models (such as the Mi 10T or Redmi K40), Mi Pay is integrated so deeply that it cannot be removed without root permissions, in which case only flashing on Xiaomi.eu or disabling via ADB will help:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.mipay⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Disabling Mi Pay can cause a malfunction NFC Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.
4. Battery optimization and background activity
MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which often results in Google Pay automatically shutting down minutes after rolling out.This applies to all models, but is especially true for Redmi with a 5000+ mAh battery, where the system saves power in any way it can.
Signs of a problem:
Google Pay does not open the first time (you need to run 2-3 times).
The application "forgets" added cards after restarting.
The error is “No Internet connection” even though the Internet is working.
How to fix it:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Pay.
- Select "Battery Limitation" → "No restrictions".
- Turn on "Autostart" and "Background Activity."
- Add Google Pay to Secure Apps (some versions of MIUI have this hidden item – see spoiler below).
Where to find "Secure Applications" in MIUI 14?
For Android 12+ devices, you also need to manually unlock unlimited location access for Google Pay, even if you don’t use geolocation for payments.
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If Google Pay still turns off after this action, try adding it to the Optimization Excludions via the developer menu. To do this, click on the MIUI version 7 times in your phone settings, then go to the Developer Settings → Battery Optimization Excludations.
5.Bank card problems: why the card is not added
Sometimes the problem isn't with the phone, it's with the credit card or its settings.
- 💳 The card does not support contactless payments (for example, some debit cards of older issues).
- 🌐 Bank blocks Google Pay addition for cards issued in certain regions.
- 📱 Limit on the number of devices (some banks allow you to link the card only to the 1-2 telephone).
How to check:
- Call the bank and see if your card supports you. NFC-Payments via Google Pay.
- Try adding another card (like Revolut’s Virtual Card or Wise) – if it comes up, the problem is in your bank.
- Make sure there is enough money on the card (some banks block contactless payments with zero balance).
⚠️ Note: If you use Sberbank or VTB cards, check if the option “Banning contactless payments abroad” is included. Even if you are in Russia, some terminals may be defined as “foreign” and payment will be rejected.
On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) There is also a bug where Google Pay cannot confirm the card via the card. SMS. The solution is to temporarily disable duality SIM-cards and leave only the one to which the bank number is linked.
6. Hardware malfunctions: when the phone itself is to blame
If all the software methods have been tried and Google Pay still doesn’t work, the problem may be in the hardware:
- 📡 The antenna module is damaged. NFC (frequently after falls or repairs).
- 🔋 The power controller responsible for supplying voltage to the NFC-chip.
- 🛠️ Marriage in the factory (conducted by the POCO M3 Pro and Redmi. 9A first-party).
How to diagnose:
- Try to read any one of them. NFC-A tag (e.g. a transport card or a bank card with a chip) If the phone doesn't respond, the module is a problem.
- Check if Google Pay works on another phone with your card. If so, it's Xiaomi's fault.
- Run the equipment test through the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone information → NFC Test
If the diagnosis confirmed hardware malfunction, the options are as follows:
| Problem. | Xiaomi model | Decision | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaged. NFC-chip | Redmi Note 10 Pro | Replacement of motherboard | 3 000 — 5 000 ₽ |
| The antenna plume's gone. | POCO X3 Pro | Pillowing the plume | 1 500 — 2 500 ₽ |
| Factory marriage of the controller | Mi 11 Lite | Warranty repairs | Free of charge. |
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is guaranteed, don’t try to disassemble your phone yourself to check. NFC-Xiaomi service centers have special equipment for diagnosing antennas, and self-intervention voids the warranty.
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Before repairing, check to see if the NFC is disabled at the firmware level. For example, some Redmis in India have software blocked because of local payment laws, and if you have a repair, you don't need to flash it.
7 System Updates and Version Conflicts
After updating MIUI or Google Pay, payments may stop working due to version incompatibility.
- 🔄 MIUI Google Pay is not updated (or vice versa).
How to fix it:
- Check the version of Google Pay on Google Play. If an update is available, install it.
- Reverse MIUI to stable if you use beta firmware. To do this: Settings → About Phone → System Update → Three Points → Select Service Pack
- Clear the cache of Google Play Services: Settings → Apps → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear the cache.
On some models (such as Mi 10 or Mi 11), after upgrading to Android 13, the error “Device does not meet security requirements” appears, this is due to Google’s new rules for devices with unlocked bootloader, the solution is to return the phone to a fully stock state (lock the bootloader and flash the official firmware).
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If the MIUI update has lost the NFC option in the settings, try resetting all settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting). This will return hidden menus, but will not delete your data.