NFC in Xiaomi Phone: Where is the Chip and How to Find It in Your Model

You bought a Xiaomi NFC-enabled smartphone but can't find the module itself? Or you want to know where the chip is physically located so it doesn't get damaged when you disassemble it? In this article, we'll look at where the NFC chip is hidden in popular Redmi, POCO and Mi models, how to identify it visually and what to do if the feature doesn't work.

The NFC (Near Field Communication) controller in Xiaomi smartphones is usually integrated into the motherboard or placed separately under the back cover, and its location depends on the model, year of release and even modification (for example, for the Chinese or global market), we collected current data on the most common devices, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 13, and added tips for diagnostics and activation of the module.

Why it is important to know where you are. NFC-chip

Many users have problems using contactless payments or data transfers over NFC. Knowing the exact location of the chip helps:

• 🔧 Avoid damage during self-repair (e.g. when replacing the battery or back cover).
• 📱 Check the integrity of the module if the function stops working after falling or getting moisture.
• 🔍 Diagnose malfunctions: If the chip is physically missing, the problem may be in the firmware or antenna.
• 💳 Optimize usage (e.g., understand why the phone doesn’t read the tags the first time).

In addition, some Xiaomi models (especially budget models) NFC-The chip can be turned off software for specific regions, and knowing where it is will help make sure that the problem is not the hardware».

Typical NFC locations in Xiaomi smartphones

In most Xiaomi devices, the NFC module is located in one of three locations:

1. On the motherboard, it is integrated into the main chip (for example, in Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek processors with NFC support), most often found in flagships (Xiaomi 12/13, Mi 11).
2. The individual chip on the board is a small square or rectangular element (usually labeled as NXP PN547, PN80T or similar) located next to the antenna.
3. Under the battery – in budget models (Redmi 9/10, POCO M3), the chip can be soldered to the bottom of the board, under the battery.

Regardless of the model, the NFC antenna always runs along the back cover (usually around the perimeter or at the top), which is why contactless payments are recommended not to cover the back of the phone with metal cases, they shield the signal.

Where exactly is NFC located in popular Xiaomi models

We have collected data on the most common smartphones of the brand. If your model is not in the table, focus on the same series (for example, for Redmi Note 11 data on Note 10 are relevant).

Important: In wireless charging models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Mi 11 Ultra), the NFC antenna can be paired with a Qi coil, meaning that damage to the wireless charging module can affect contactless payments.

How to check if there is NFC in your Xiaomi

If you are not sure if your model supports NFC, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC (or Settings → Wireless Networks → Additional → NFC in MIUI 12/13).
2. If there is no item, check the model characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or in services like GSMArena.
3. Install the NFC Tools app from Google Play, which will show you if the module is available.

You can also use the test code for diagnosis:

##2432546##

After entering, the hardware testing menu will open, where the NFC Test item will be (if the module is present).

Make sure the function is enabled in the settings

Check for the NFC item in the Connections menu

Install a testing application (NFC Tools, NFC Check)

Try reading the tag or paying contactlessly

-->

⚠️ Note: In some regional versions (e.g. India or China) NFC It can be turned off at the firmware level, even if the chip is physically present, and then flashing to the global version will help. MIUI.

What to do if the NFC is not working

If you have a module but contactless payments or data transfers don’t work, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary crashes.
• 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in old firmware there are bugs with the NFC).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 🔧 Check the antenna: if the phone fell or disassembled, the contacts could have left.

If nothing works, it may be the chip or antenna itself that is damaged, and you will need to be diagnosed at the service center, and note that on budget models (Redmi 9A, POCO C31), NFC is often missing even in specs, so check the package before buying.

💡

If NFC is not working properly (for example, payments are triggered a second time), try removing the case – metal or thick silicone accessories can block the signal.

How not to hurt NFC-chip during repair Xiaomi

If you plan to disassemble your phone yourself (for example, to replace the battery or display), consider the following points:

• 🔧 Turn off the battery before work begins – this will prevent short circuits that could damage the battery. NFC-chip.
• 🧲 Do not use metal tools near the antenna (usually located on the edge of the board).
• 🔥 Avoid overheating when soldering - chip NXP sensitive to high temperatures.
• 📏 Don't push the area charge. NFC-module (especially in models where it is located under the battery).

If you remove the back cover, be careful with flexible plumes – in some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro) they pass next to the NFC antenna.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones with an aluminum body (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite) antenna NFC It's often placed under a metal frame, and when disassembling, don't use sharp objects, because scratches on the frame can degrade the signal.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC in Xiaomi

💡

In 90% of cases, NFC problems in Xiaomi are not due to a hardware malfunction, but to software limitations (obsolete firmware, regional locks or incorrect settings).