Where in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is NFC module: disassemble the smartphone and check the performance

Since the release of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro in 2019, this smartphone has become one of the most popular budget devices with support for technology. NFC. However, many users still have difficulty finding the physical location of the module, especially if they need to change antennas or diagnose malfunctions. NFC-chip is often integrated into the motherboard, in the Redmi Note 8 Pro implementation has its own characteristics.

In this article, we will not only show the exact location. NFC-You can also see the module with photos of the disassembled device, but also explain how to check its performance without special equipment. You will learn why a smartphone can not recognize tags despite a working chip, and what to do if you have a smartphone that is not capable of recognizing tags. NFC It suddenly stopped working after a firmware crash or update, and we will focus on common diagnostic errors, such as why tests using ##4636## don't always give an accurate result.

If you’re planning a self-repair, there’s a step-by-step guide to retrieve the module with warnings about the risks of damage to plumes. For those who just want to know if their Redmi Note 8 Pro version supports contactless payments, we’ve given a table comparing regions and firmware.

NFC Specifications in Redmi Note 8 Pro: What to Know Before Searching for a Module

Before you disassemble a smartphone, it is important to understand which one. NFC-The chip is installed in your model. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a module NXP PN54T, supportive:

• 📱 HCE (Host Card Emulation for contactless payments via Google Pay
• 🔄 P2P-mode (data exchange between devices)
• 🏷️ Reading/writing of standards labels ISO 14443 Type A/B, FeliCa (in some regions)

However, there is a caveat: depending on the region of sale, the functionality may differ, for example, the Chinese versions (MTK) often lack support for Google Pay due to manufacturer restrictions.

Key point: NFC-The module in the Redmi Note 8 Pro consists of two parts:

1. Main chip (located on the motherboard)
2. Antenna (a separate flexible plume connected to the board)

The antenna is the one that most often fails when it falls or gets built incorrectly after repair, and if the smartphone doesn't see the tag, but the NFC settings are on, it's probably the antenna, not the chip.

2 Where physically located NFC-module: disassembly of the smartphone

In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, the NFC module is under the back cover, but its location depends on the version of the device.

• 🔧 Plastic shoulder blade (mediator)
• 🔨 The screwdriver (PH00)
• 🧲 Screen removal suction cup (optional)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (~60°C) around the perimeter to soften the glue.
3. Carefully tuck the lid with a spatula, starting at the lower left corner (near the Type-C connector).
4. After removing the lid, you will see a black flexible plume with a metal frame - this is what it is. NFC-It's located at the top of the body, under the battery, and it's glued to the middle frame.

Disconnect the smartphone from the network

Take off the cover and film

Prepare the workplace (clean surface, good lighting)

Take a picture of the location of the plumes before disconnecting-->

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse NFC-antenna with a wireless charging plume (if installed) NFC It is thinner and has a characteristic zigzag pattern of tracks. Also be careful with the touch screen cable - it passes nearby and is easily damaged when the lid is not neatly removed.

The photo below shows the exact location (view from the back cover):

If you need to remove the antenna completely, disconnect it from the connector on the motherboard (marked as NFC_CONN). To do this, carefully lift the connector lock with a plastic blade.

3. How to check the health of NFC without disassembly

Before you disassemble your smartphone, make sure that the problem is not software. Here are 3 ways to diagnose:

Method 1: Built-in settings

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC.
2. Turn on the NFC slider.
3. Bring your smartphone to anyone. NFC-tag (for example, a bank card or sticker).

If the device vibrates or makes sound, the module works. If there is no reaction, try the following method.

Method 2: Hidden Testing Menu

Enter the dialer code:

##4636##

Go to the NFC tab (if it's not available, your firmware doesn't support diagnostics), and it shows the status of the chip and the last tag you see.

Method 3: Third-party applications

Install from Google Play:

• 📲 NFC Tools (for reading/writing labels)
• 🔍 NFC Check (checking hardware support)

💡

If your smartphone doesn't respond to tags but it's on in the NFC settings, try calibrating the antenna. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Network Reset. This often helps after MIUI updates.

⚠️ Attention: If in NFC Check displays a message "NFC hardware not found, which means a problem at the motherboard or firmware level, and in this case, disassembly won't help, you need to flash or replace the chip.

4.Typical NFC Faults in Redmi Note 8 Pro and Their Causes

Analysis of service centers shows that in 80% of cases, non-functioning NFC is associated with one of these problems:

Especially often, when the antenna is broken when the screen is not properly assembled, the wizards forget to plug the plume back in or damage it when you install a new touch panel, and if you've recently repaired the display, that's the problem, 95 percent of the time.

How to check the integrity of the antenna:

1. Remove the back cover (as described above).
2. Visually inspect the plume for ruptures or oxidation.
3. Call the antenna contacts with a multimeter (resistance should be ~50 Ohms).

💡

If the NFC stopped working after a fall, check the antenna first, and it costs 3-5 times less to replace than repairing the motherboard.

5. Replacement NFC-antennas: step-by-step instructions with articles

If the diagnostics show that the antenna is damaged, you can replace it yourself.

• 🛒 New antenna (original articula: MDY09-0016A, analogue: XM-1603-0016)
• 🔥 Dryer or thermoair station (to peel off an old antenna)
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (for cleaning glue)

Step-by-step process:

1. Remove the back cover and battery (turn off the connector!)
2. Heat the old antenna with a hair dryer (temperature ~80°C) and carefully separate it from the frame.
3. Clean the installation site with alcohol and a napkin without pile.
4. Stick the new antenna onto a double-sided tape (use 3M 9448A for secure fixation).
5. Connect the plume to the connector on the board and assemble the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use superglue or heat glue to fix the antenna! They can damage the flexible plume. Also make sure that the antenna does not touch the metal parts of the body - this degrades the signal.

The cost of the original antenna: ~500-800 rubles. Analogs are cheaper (200-400 rubles), but may have worse sensitivity. After replacing, be sure to test NFC with NFC Tools, bringing the smartphone to the label from different angles.

6. Software problems: why NFC may not work with a serviceable module

Even if the hardware is fine, NFC may fail because of the software.

1. Incompatible firmware

Chinese versions of the Redmi Note 8 Pro (with a Mediatek Helio G90T processor) often lack support for Google Pay.

• 📱 Set a global MIUI via Fastboot.
• 🔓 Get root rights and install MagiskHide Props Config to disguise as a certified device.

2.Conflict with Xiaomi Pay

In some regions (e.g. China), Xiaomi Pay is blocking other regions. NFC-To fix this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Xiaomi Pay and turn off auto-start.
3. Clear the cache and app data.

3. Resetting NFC settings

If the module periodically "gluts", reset:

adb shell pm clear com.android.nfc

This command clears all stored tags and resets the chip settings.

7.Comparison of NFC in Redmi Note 8 Pro with other Xiaomi models

To understand the features of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, it is useful to compare it with other devices of the brand:

As you can see from the table, the Redmi Note 8 Pro features a separate antenna plume, making it easier to replace it, but increasing the risk of damage during disassembly. In newer models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the antenna is often soldered into a board, making repairs more expensive.

Fun fact: The Redmi Note 8 Pro uses the same antenna as the Poco X3 NFC, so they can be interchangeable, but Poco has added an additional screen to protect against interference, which improves communication stability.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)