App “Tags” on Xiaomi: what it is, how it works and why you need

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO supportive NFC, You may have noticed a mysterious tags on the app menu, which many users mistake for a tool to use hashtags on social media or tags in the gallery, but it's actually a powerful automation tool integrated into the Mi Home ecosystem. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what’s behind this app, how it interacts with Xiaomi’s smart devices, and why it’s often overlooked even by power users.

The app “Tags” (Mi Tags) appeared in firmware MIUI It is relatively recent that its active development began with the version. MIUI 12, It has full functionality only in MIUI 13/14. The main task of the service is to simplify the management of a smart home through physical NFC-Labels or virtual triggers, for example, if you tap a smartphone to a sticker on a door, you can turn on the light, you can run a robot vacuum cleaner, you can activate night mode on all your gadgets. But how does that work in practice? And why do many users not even know it exists?

What is the app “Tags” on Xiaomi and why it is needed

The “Mi Tags” app is a built-in tool in MIUI, designed to create automated scenarios based on NFC-Unlike the standard Mi Home app, which manages smart devices through the cloud, Tags focuses on local triggers that do not require a constant Internet connection. This makes it indispensable for fast action, where the speed of reaction is important - for example, turning on lights when entering a room or starting the morning mode when touching a smartphone to the nightstand.

Main functions of the annex:

• 🔖 Work with NFC-Tags: Creating scripts tied to physical stickers (e.g. Xiaomi) NFC Tag or third-party standard labels NTAG213/215/216).
• 📍 Geodependent triggers: location-based automation (e.g., turning on air conditioning when approaching a home).
• 🔄 Mi Home integration: managing Xiaomi ecosystem devices (Yeelight, Aqara, Roborock, etc.).
• 📱 Quick actions on the smartphone: switching modes (sound, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) without opening settings.

It is important to understand that Tags are not just an alternative to Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts, but its key advantage is the work in offline mode. NFC-tags) and close integration with firmware MIUI. For example, you can set a label on your desktop, which when touched by a smartphone will be:

• 🔕 Switch the phone to "Do Not Disturb" mode».
• 📵 Turn off mobile data and turn on Wi-Fi.
• 🎵 Playlists to be played in Mi Music.
• 💡 Turn on the Yeelight smart lamp at 50% brightness.

⚠️ Note: The Tags app is hidden by default in some regional firmware MIUI (To activate it, you may need to change the region to India or China via Settings. → Additionally. → Region.

How it works NFC in the appendix "Tags": technical details

Technology NFC (Near Field Communication is the basis of the Tags app, unlike Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, NFC It is designed for short-distance communication (up to 10 cm) and consumes minimal energy, making it ideal for creating “smart labels” – small stickers that can be placed on furniture, doors or even in a car.

Xiaomi uses standard tags NTAG21x, supportive:

• 🔄 Writable memory (you can change scripts without buying new labels).
• 🔒 Protection against accidental erasure (requires confirmation upon overwriting).
• 📶 Low power consumption (the label does not require power, works at the expense of smartphone energy).

The interaction process looks like this:

1. Xiaomi smartphone with enabled NFC mark up.
2. The tag chip transmits a unique identifier (UID) phone.
3. The Tags app compares UID with saved scripts and performs tied actions.

One of the key advantages of Mi Tags over third-party solutions (for example, Trigger or Automate) is native integration with the new system. MIUI. That means that:

• 🔋 The scripts work even when the Internet is off (for example, for the NFC-marker).
• ⚡ Actions are faster than through cloud services (IFTTT, Google Home).
• 🔄 There is no need to keep the Tags app open – it works in the background.

Step-by-step: how to set up the Tags app on Xiaomi

To start using the Tags app, you first need to find it and activate it. MIUI and region of the firmware process may slightly differ, but the general scheme is as follows:

1. Activation. NFC Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → NFC and switch on the switch. Make sure the mode is set on-line for payments and other functions (not just cards).
2. Open the menu of all apps and find the tag icon (if not, try changing region to India or installing the apk via APKMirror).
3. Add the first label Press "Add» (+) and choose NFC-tag.

Let's look at the settings by example. NFC-marker:

1. Bring your smartphone to a clean label (e.g. Xiaomi) NFC Tag Sticker).
2. The app will suggest you write a script for it. Click "Create a new one."
3. Select actions from the list: 📱 Device: changing phone settings (sound, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). 💡 Smart Home: Managing Mi Home Devices. 🔄 Launching an application: Opening a specific upload (e.g. Spotify).

Save the script and test the label.

Enable NFC in the settings

Buy compatible tags (NTAG213 higher)

Install the Tags app (if not available)

Prepare a list of actions for automation

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For geolocation triggers, the algorithm is different:

1. Select “Geolocation” when creating a new scenario.
2. Specify the address or range (e.g., “Home address, 100 m radius”).
3. Set up actions when entering the zone or leaving the zone.

⚠️ Note: Geolocation triggers require switching on GPS and constant access to the Internet (to determine location). NFC-They are less reliable in rooms with poor signal.

Examples of using the application "Tags" in the home

The theory is good, but how can Mi Tags be put into practice? Here are some real-world scenarios that will make your daily life easier:

1.Smart home on NFC-marker

Place tags in the key points of the apartment:

• 🚪 Hallway: Touching the mark at the door turns on the light, triggers the robot vacuum cleaner and turns off the Do Not Disturb mode».
• 🛏️ Bedroom: the label on the nightstand activates the night mode (dark theme, silent mode, activation of the Aqara moisturiser).
• 🚿 Bathroom: Touching the tag triggers the hood and turns on the Yeelight mirror light.

2. Automation of the workflow

If you work from home or use your smartphone frequently for tasks:

• 💻 Desktop: The tag switches the phone to Work mode (disables notifications, turns on Google Docs and Slack).
• 📞 Charging station: when placing the phone on wireless charging, the playlist for concentration automatically starts.

3. Security and access control

With the help of tags, you can organize:

• 🔐 Guest mode: Touching the tag at the front door disables access to personal data and includes a limited set of functions.
• 🚗 Car Mode: A tag in the car starts Google Maps, turns on Bluetooth for hands-free and sends SMS kin.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi smart lock (like the Mi Smart Door Lock), you can tie in. NFC-tag + Turning on the lights in the hallway, which will eliminate the need to use keys or a smartphone to open the door.

4 Entertainment and multimedia

For music and video lovers:

• 🎮 Game mode: A tag on the table triggers Steam Link, disables notifications, and turns on Do Not Disturb mode».
• 🎬 Home cinema: Touching the label turns off the lights, turns on Mi TV And launches Netflix on the phone.

Compatible devices and limitations of the Tags application

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support the Tags app to its fullest extent.

Requirements for a smartphone

• 📱 NFC-chip: should support NTAG213/215/216 (Check the specifications of the model).
• 🔄 Version. MIUI: lower MIUI 12 (optimally — MIUI 13/14).
• 🌍 Regional firmware: in European and global versions, the application can be disabled (region change is required).

List of popular models with full support:

• Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra
• Redmi Note 12 Pro+/11 Pro+
• POCO F5/F4 GT
• Mi 11/11 Pro/11 Ultra

Limitations and challenges

Despite the convenience, the Tags app has a number of limitations:

• 🚫 No iOS support: tags will only work with Xiaomi devices on Android.
• 🔌 Dependence on MIUI: After switching to custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the functionality may disappear.
• 🌐 Geolocation requires the Internet: without a network connection, location triggers do not work.
• 🔄 Limited number of actions: in one scenario, you can not combine more 5-7 Teams (depending on version) MIUI).

⚠️ Warning: If you use tags to manage smart devices (Mi Home), make sure they are connected to the same Xiaomi account as the smartphone.

Alternatives to the app “Tags” for Xiaomi

If for some reason, the "Tags" do not suit you (for example, due to firmware limitations or lack of support). NFC), Consider alternative solutions:

Comparison with Tags:

• ✅ Advantages of Tags»: 🔋 It works without the internet (for the NFC). ⚡ Faster implementation (native integration). 🆓 Free and no advertising.
• ❌ The shortcomings of the Tags»: 🔒 Reference to MIUI (It doesn't work on custom firmware). 📱 Limited set of triggers (no response to the SMS, calls, weather).

💡

If you want simple automation without unnecessary complications, Xiaomi’s Tags are the best choice. For advanced users who need complex conditions (for example, if the battery is not used in the first place). < 20% And Wi-Fi is connected, then..., it is better to consider Tasker or Automate.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

When using the Tags app, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

1.The Tags app is not in the menu

Reason: In your firmware it is disabled or hidden.

Decision:

• Try changing the region to India in the settings.
• Install the Upgrade manually (download the APKMirror version for your region).
• Update MIUI to the latest version.

2. NFC-tag doesn't work

Reasons:

• The label is incompatible (e.g, NTAG203 instead NTAG213).
• NFC disabled or only working for payments.
• The label is in the wrong format.

Decision:

Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC → Mode: “Included for payments and other features”

Make sure the label is supported (check the label on the back).

3. The script is not fully executed

Reason: Limitation on the number of actions in one scenario (usually 5-7 team).

Solution: Break a complex scenario into multiple labels or use Tasker to combine actions.

4.Geolocation triggers don't work

Reasons:

• Unplugged. GPS internet.
• The radius of the zone is too small (less than 100 m).
• Energy saving restrictions (e.g., battery mode) MIUI).

Decision:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Apps → Tags → Without Limitations

5.The label is erased or overwritten

Reason: There is no protection against recording.

Solution: In the tag settings in the Tags app, activate the option "Rewrite Protection" (if available). For third-party tags, use applications like NFC Tools to block recording.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the app "Tags»