How to use contactless payment on Xiaomi: full instruction 2026

Xiaomi smartphones have long supported NFC technology, which allows you to pay for purchases with a single touch – without having to get a bank card. However, many users still do not use this feature due to lack of knowledge about how to set it up correctly or which services to choose. In this article, we will discuss all contactless payment methods on Xiaomi, from standard Mi Pay to Google Pay and SberPay, and also explain how to avoid typical errors in setting up.

It’s important to understand that contactless payments are not only dependent on the smartphone model, but also on the region, the card issuing bank, and even the MIUI firmware version. For example, Mi Pay is officially only available in China and several Asian countries, whereas Google Pay is available almost everywhere. We will explain in detail which service to choose in your case, and give step-by-step instructions for each of them.

If you have never used contactless payments, don’t worry: the setup process takes no more than that. 5–10 The key is to add the map correctly once and make sure the terminal in the store supports it. NFC (It usually has a contactless payment logo or an inscription on it. PayPass/PayWave).

What Xiaomi models support contactless payment

Not all Xiaomi smartphones have an NFC chip, so check if your model has one before setting up.

• 📱 Flagship Series (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K60, POCO F5) — support NFC into 100% cases, including models for the global market.
• 💰 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 12/13, POCO X5) — Most of the models have NFC, There are exceptions (e.g. Redmi Note). 12 4G lacking).
• 📉 Budget smartphones (Redmi) A2, POCO M6) — NFC It is rare, usually only in versions for China or Europe.
• ⚠️ Older models (until 2019) – even if the specifications are listed NFC, It may not support payments (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 8 in some regions).

To find out if your smartphone has NFC, do one of the following:

1. Check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website (Specifications section for your model).
2. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC. If there is no point, there is no chip.
3. Use the NFC Tools app from Google Play to show you the module.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for Russia and CIS NFC It can be software-enabled even if you have a chip, and then it can be done by flashing it to a global version. MIUI.

How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi

Before setting up contactless payments, you need to activate the NFC module itself.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
3. Find the NFC and move the slider to the right.
4. Below will be the option Contactless payments – turn it on (if any).

On some models (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Google → Services on the device → Contactless payments

Once the NFC is enabled, the smartphone will be ready to add payment cards. Please note that if you use a case with metal elements or magnets, this may interfere with the module, in which case, try to remove the case before paying.

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Is the MIUI firmware updated to the latest version?

Does your bank support contactless payments?

Is there any physical interference (case, stickers on the back panel)-->

Set up Mi Pay on Xiaomi

Mi Pay is a Xiaomi-branded payment service that was originally designed for the Chinese market, but it can be used in other countries as long as your bank supports HCE (Host Card Emulation) technology.

1. Download the Mi Pay app from Google Play (if it’s not in your area, use the APK from a trusted source, such as APKMirror).
2. Open the application and accept the terms of use.
3. Click Add Card and select Bank Card.
4. Enter the card data manually or scan it with the camera.
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.

Once you've successfully added a card, you can use it to pay for it.

• Unlock your smartphone (fingerprint, pattern lock or PIN will do).
• Bring the top of the phone (where the NFC chip is located) to the terminal.
• Wait for the sound signal or vibration – the payment has passed.

⚠️ Note: Mi Pay may not work with cards of some Russian banks due to sanctions restrictions.

If there is an error when adding a card, check:

• 🔹 Does your bank support Mi Pay (a list of partners can be found on the official website).
• 🔹 Does the bank block operations abroad (sometimes it interferes even with payment in Russia).
• 🔹 Is the Mi Pay app updated to the latest version.

Google Pay on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Google Pay is the most versatile contactless payment method that works in almost all countries, including Russia (despite restrictions on other Google services).To set it up for Xiaomi, follow the following steps:

1. Make sure your smartphone has Google Play Services installed (usually pre-installed). If not, download them from Google Play.
2. Open the Google Pay app (if not, install it from the store).
3. Click Start and log in to your Google account (required!).
4. Choose Add Card → Credit or Debit Card.
5. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
6. Accept the terms of use and confirm the addition via SMS or banking application.

Once you add a card, you can use it to pay for it.

• Unlock your smartphone (required!).
• Put your phone to the terminal and Google Pay will open automatically.
• Choose a card (if there are several) and confirm the payment.

If Google Pay does not open automatically when you reach the terminal, check:

• 📱 Whether it's on NFC customized.
• 🔄 Google Play Services Updated (Go to Google Play) → My apps. → Update everything).
• 🔒 Is the smartphone on lock (for example, after restarting).

Since 2026, Google Pay in Russia has been working through local partners, so some banks may require additional authorization through their mobile application.

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If the terminal does not recognize the card in Google Pay, try to restart the smartphone or temporarily disable the VPN – sometimes this interferes with the location checks of the bank.

SberPay and other Russian alternatives

For users from Russia, SberPay, a contactless payment service from Sberbank, which does not depend on foreign platforms, will become a topical solution.

1. Install or update the SberBank Online app.
2. Open the application and log in.
3. Go to the Payments section → SberPay.
4. Click Connect and select the map to link.
5. Confirm the operation via SMS or push notification.

For payment via SberPay:

• Unlock your smartphone.
• Bring it to the terminal - SberBank Online will automatically open.
• Confirm the payment with a fingerprint or PIN-code.

In addition to SberPay, other local services are available in Russia:

⚠️ Note: Some banks (e.g. Gazprombank or Rosselkhozbank) do not support contactless payments via a smartphone.

Typical problems and their solution

Even when set up correctly, contactless payments may not work, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 Terminal can't see phone: Check if it's on NFC. Make sure your smartphone is unlocked. Try bringing the phone to the terminal with the other side (chip) NFC usually located at the top).
• 💳 Maps are not added to Google Pay/Mi Pay: Check if the bank supports contactless payments via smartphone.Update the bank app and Google Pay.Try adding a card via the web version of Google Pay (pay.google.com).
• 🔒 Required. PIN-code on each payment: This is a bank requirement, usually after several successful fingerprint-unlocked payments, the restriction is removed.

If nothing helps, try the following steps:

1. Reboot the smartphone.


2. Remove the card from the payment service and add it again.




3. Check if the antivirus or VPN is blocking the NFC.




4. Update the MIUI firmware to the latest version.

Security of contactless payments on Xiaomi

Many users fear that contactless payments are less secure than traditional cards, but they are not, because modern technology provides reliable protection:

• 🔐 Tokenization: When you add a card to Google Pay or Mi Pay, the real card number is replaced with a virtual token, and even if the data is intercepted, fraudsters will not be able to use it.
• 👆 Biometrics: A fingerprint, face scan or a scan is required to confirm the payment PIN-code.
• 📍 Geolocation: Banks track unusual transactions (such as payments in another city) and can block them.
• 🛡️ Limitation of amount: Without confirmation (PIN or biometrics) usually can be paid no more than 1000-3000 rubles at a time.

To further improve safety:

• Set up payment notifications in the bank app.
• Don't keep it. PIN-codes and passwords from banking applications in notes on the phone.
• Check your transaction history regularly for suspicious charges.
• Turn off NFC when you don’t use payments (this will also save battery life).

If your smartphone is lost or stolen:

1. Block the cards immediately through the bank app or by phone hotline.
2. Delete your payment data remotely via Google Find My Device (for Google Pay) or Mi Cloud (for Mi Pay).
3. Reset your smartphone to factory settings via Find My Device if it’s connected to the internet.

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Contactless payments via a smartphone are safer than a physical card, thanks to tokenization and two-factor authentication, and the main thing is to keep an eye on transactions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contactless payment on Xiaomi