Contactless payments have long been a part of everyday life, but not everyone knows that Xiaomi has its own analogue of Apple Pay and Google Pay β Xiaomi Payment service. This solution allows you to pay for purchases with a smartphone, smart watch or fitness bracelet without having to get a bank card. The technology is integrated into the Mi ecosystem. UI It supports a wide range of brand devices.
Unlike its competitors, Xiaomi Payment was originally developed with the Chinese market in mind, but is now available in other countries, including Russia, India and Europe. NFC, But it has its own nuances in setting up, security and interoperability with banks, and in this article, we'll look at how to activate payments, what devices are supported, and why some users still can't use the feature.
Itβs worth noting that Xiaomi doesnβt just copy Apple or Googleβs solutions, but offers unique chips, such as some smartphone models that make payments even when the battery is dead β by backing up the chip. NFC. And the Mi Band and Xiaomi Watch smartwatches don't have to be tied to a phone, but there are pitfalls: not all banks support the service, and in some regions, the functionality is limited by law.
What is Xiaomi Payment and how does it work?
Xiaomi Payment is a contactless payment service developed by Xiaomi for its devices. It allows you to link a bank card to a smartphone, smartwatch or fitness bracelet and pay for purchases in stores, transport or online, simply by bringing the gadget to the terminal. Technology is based on a standard NFC (Near Field Communication, which is used in other payment systems.
The main difference from Google Pay or Samsung Pay is the deep integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, for example, the service automatically syncs with the Mi Account, which makes it easier to set up on multiple devices, and in some countries (for example, in China), Xiaomi Payment supports not only bank cards, but also local payment systems like Alipay or WeChat Pay.
When you pay, you don't give the card to the seller, instead you generate a virtual card number (a token) that protects real information, which makes transactions safer than when you use a physical card. In Europe and Russia, strict standards are in place. PCI DSS, In some Asian countries, the requirements may differ.
It is important to understand that Xiaomi Payment is not a separate application, but a built-in feature in Mi. UI (or HyperOS in new models. It's available in the Settings section. β Connected devices β On smartwatches and bracelets, the option is activated via the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app.
What Xiaomi devices support contactless payments
Not all Xiaomi gadgets can work with Xiaomi Payment. NFC support technology HCE (Host Card Emulation, which allows you to emulate a bank card. Here are the main categories of devices supported:
- π± Smartphones: Most flagships and mid-budget models, starting with Xiaomi Mi 5 (2016 In the year 2026 This feature is guaranteed to work on Xiaomi. 14/13/12 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/F6 and other devices with NFC.
- β Smart watches: Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S3, Mi Watch (not all models) It is important that the watch should be based on Wear OS or proprietary firmware Xiaomi with payment support.
- π Fitness bracelets: Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro and Xiaomi Band 7 Pro (only versions with the same name) NFC). Regular Mi Bands without contactless modules do not support payment.
- π³ Other devices: In China, the service is available even on some Xiaomi laptops (such as the Mi Notebook Pro), but outside of Asia, this feature does not work.
To check if your device supports Xiaomi Payment, go to Settings. β The phone. β Specifications and find the item NFC. If it is not available, payment via smartphone is impossible. For smart watches and bracelets, information can be specified on the official Xiaomi website in the characteristics of the model.
Full list of supported smartphones (2020β2026)
Attention: Even if your smartphone supports NFC, This does not guarantee the operation of Xiaomi Payment. For example, in some regions (for example, in the United States), the service is officially not available due to local restrictions.
| Type of device | Models with support for Xiaomi Payment | Required version of MIUI/HyperOS |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphones | Xiaomi 14 Pro, Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6 Pro | HyperOS 1.0 or later |
| Smart watches | Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, Xiaomi Watch S3 | Wear OS 3.5+ Zepp OS 3.0+ |
| Fitness bracelets | Xiaomi Smart Band 8 Pro (NFC-version) | Mi Fitness 6.0+ |
| Tablets | Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (China only) | HyperOS 1.0 (CN-version) |
How to set up Xiaomi Payment on a smartphone: step-by-step instructions
Activation of contactless payments on a Xiaomi smartphone takes no more than 5 minutes if your device and bank support the service.
- Update your firmware. Make sure your smartphone has the latest version installed. MIUI Or HyperOS. Go to Settings for that. β The phone. β Updating the system.
- Turn it on. NFC. Go to Settings. β Connected devices β NFC and activate the switch. Also enable contactless payments (if any).
- Add a card. Open the Xiaomi Payment section in the settings (the path may vary depending on the model) and click Add a card. The system will prompt you to scan the card with the camera or enter data manually.
- Confirm the link. The bank will send it. SMS You can enter it in the appropriate field, and then the card will be ready to use.
If the Xiaomi Payment section is missing from the settings, it could mean:
- π« Your device does not support the function (see the list above).
- π The service is not available in your area.
- π± Installed custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), which removed proprietary components Xiaomi.
βοΈ Preparation for setting up Xiaomi Payment
After adding the card, it can be used for payment in stores with terminals that support the payment. NFC. For that:
- Unlock your smartphone (fingerprint, PIN-code-face).
- Bring the top of the phone to the terminal at a distance of 2-3 cm.
- Wait for the sound signal or vibration β the payment was successful.
π‘
If the terminal does not respond to the smartphone, try to disable the case - some models block the signal NFC. Also check that the terminal displays a payment readiness indicator (usually green or blue lights).
Xiaomi Payment Security: How Reliable is the System
One of the top user questions is the security of contactless payments. Xiaomi claims Xiaomi Payment complies with international standards PCI DSS And it uses layered protection:
- π Tokenization: instead of the real card number, a virtual token is transferred, which is useless for fraudsters.
- π€ Authentication: Each transaction requires unlocking the device (fingerprint, PIN face ID).
- π‘οΈ Encryption: Data is stored in an embedded secure element (eSE) chip that is isolated from the main system.
- π Geolocation: In case of suspicious transactions, the bank may block the card (for example, if the payment was made in another country).
However, there are risks:
β οΈ In 2023, security researchers discovered a vulnerability in some versions of the virus. MIUI, interceptor NFC Xiaomi has released a patch in the update, but if you are using old firmware, it is recommended to update.
For additional protection, it should be:
- π Set up difficult PIN-code.
- π΅ Do not store card data in cloud services (for example, Google Drive).
- π Regularly check the transaction history of a mobile bank.
If your smartphone is lost or stolen, you can remotely block Xiaomi Payment via Find Device (i.mi.com).
- Sign in to your Mi Account account.
- Select the lost device.
- Click Lock the device and confirm the action.
π‘
Xiaomi Payment is safer than a physical card because it uses dynamic tokens and requires authentication every time it pays, but the risk of fraud remains when the device is lost or vulnerable firmware is used.
Xiaomi Payment Comparison with Apple Pay and Google Pay
To understand how convenient the service from Xiaomi, compare it with the main competitors:
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Payment | Apple Pay | Google Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supported devices | Smartphones, watches, bracelets Xiaomi with NFC | iPhone (starting with 6), Apple Watch, iPad, Mac | Any Android devices with NFC and HCE |
| Regional accessibility | Limited (China, Russia, India, Europe) | Global (100)+ countries) | Global (90)+ countries) |
| Supporting banks | Limited list (depending on region) | Most of the major banks in the world | Most banks that support NFC |
| Security | Tokenization, eSE, biometrics | Tokenization, Secure Enclave, Face/Touch ID | Tokenization, HCE, biometrics |
| Unique chips | Work with a discharged battery, support for local payment systems (Alipay) | Integration with Apple Cash, support for transport cards | Support for virtual cards, payment through Wear OS |
Xiaomi Paymentβs main advantage is its deep integration with the brand ecosystem, for example, if you have a Xiaomi smartphone and a Mi Watch, you just add one card and it will automatically become available on both devices, while Google Pay is more versatile and works on any Android device, and Apple Pay benefits from global support for banks and transport.
Xiaomiβs geographical limitations are key, with the US officially out of service and Europe having a narrower list of supported banks than its competitors, and some users complaining of unstable work. NFC in budget models of smartphones.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even if your device supports Xiaomi Payment, it can be difficult to set up or use, and consider the most common of them:
- π΄ "Solution: Try changing the region in your Mi Account settings (e.g. India or Russia) and check if your bank blocks contactless payments through third-party services.
- π΄ Terminal doesn't see smartphone Solution: Make sure NFC It's on and the phone's unlocked. Try bringing the phone to the terminal with the other side (chip). NFC Reboot the device β sometimes it helps to reset the module. NFC.
Bank not supported
Decision:
Xiaomi official website
Sberbank
Tinkoff
VTB
Payment does not go away after the update MIUI
Decision:
Xiaomi Payment
Settings β Annexes β Application management β Xiaomi Payment β Warehouse β Clear the data
β οΈ Note: If you use custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), Xiaomi Payment will not work.
If none of these solutions worked, please contact Xiaomi via the official chat or Mi Community forum.
- The device model and firmware version.
- Bank name and type of card (debit/credit).
- An accurate error message (if any).
The future of Xiaomi Payment: what to expect in 2026-2026
In 2026, Xiaomi is actively developing its payment system, especially as the HyperOS ecosystem expands.
- π Expanding geography: The company is in talks with banks in Latin America and Africa, and may be available in Brazil, Mexico and South Africa as early as 2026.
- π³ Support for cryptocurrencies: In the test mode, integration with Binance Pay and other crypto payment systems is underway, so far the feature is only available in China, but can be released globally.
- β‘ Accelerated payments: New smartphones (e.g. Xiaomi 15) are expected to support UWB (Ultra-Wideband for instant transactions without confirmation.
- π Cross-platform: The ability to link cards from Google Pay or Apple Pay to Xiaomi devices (similar to Samsung Pay).
Xiaomi is also planning to introduce biometric authentication based on venous hand pattern (the technology is already being tested in Xiaomi 14 Ultra), which will make payments even safer, as it will be almost impossible for fraudsters to forge unique biometric data.
However, there are risks: some countries (e.g. the EU) are tightening their payment system requirements, Xiaomi may face certification to new standards, which will slow down the release of updates, and compatibility issues due to sanctions restrictions in certain regions may also be excluded.
π‘
In 2026-2026, Xiaomi Payment will become more universal thanks to the support of cryptocurrencies and expanding geography, but the key factor remains the willingness of banks to integrate with the system.