How to know if there is NFC in the phone Xiaomi: check in 2 minutes without technical knowledge

Why you need NFC in Xiaomi smartphones and how to detect it

NFC (Near Field Communication) technology has become an integral part of modern smartphones, but not all Xiaomi models are equipped with this module. If you plan to use contactless payments, smart tags or fast file transfer, it is important to know in advance whether your device supports this feature, especially for the budget lines of Redmi and POCO, where the manufacturer often saves on “optional” chips.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 reliable ways to check NFC, from visual inspection of the case to hidden engineering menus, which Xiaomi models are guaranteed to have a module, how to distinguish hardware from software, and why sometimes a function can be disabled even if there is a chip. No complicated manipulations: all methods work without root rights and special applications.

We will focus on the common mistake of users who confuse the presence of an NFC antenna with support for Google Pay – these are different things!

Method 1: Visual inspection of the case - where to look for an NFC tag

The fastest way to check for NFC is to look at the back of the phone, which manufacturers often put a special tag next to the antenna, and on Xiaomi smartphones, it looks like:

• 📍 Logo "N" in the circle - the standard designation NFC-chip (found on Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro and newer models).
• 📶 Zigzag line near the camera - indicates the location of the antenna (characteristic of the POCO F3, Xiaomi 12T).
• 🔍 Inscription"NFC" Small print – found on early models (for example, Mi 9).

Note that the tag may be hidden under a cover or protective film. If you use third-party accessories, temporarily remove them. Also note that some models (such as the Redmi 9A) have similar symbols for wireless charging - don't confuse them!

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If the label is not there, it does not mean that NFC is absent. In recent models (for example, Xiaomi 13), the manufacturer refused external marking, but the module remained.

Method 2: Verification through Android settings - step-by-step instructions

If the visual inspection failed, proceed to the software check. Open the settings of your Xiaomi and follow the instructions:

1. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
2. Scroll down and find the NFC option. If you don't have one, try searching for the word "NFC" in your settings.
3. If the item is found, but the switch is inactive, this may mean that the module is, but disabled at the software level (relevant to Chinese firmware).

Some models (like the POCO X3 NFC) have a deeper function: the path is Settings → Additional → NFC and payments. If you don’t have it, move on to the next one.

Update MIUI to the latest version |Check the firmware region (Chinese/global) |Install the diagnostic application (NFC Tools) |Reset the network settings (rarely helps)

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On some smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) NFC It can only appear in the settings after installation SIM-mobile payment cards, which are related to the features of the MIUI.

Method 3: Use of the Engineering Menu for Advanced Users

If the standard methods don't work, you can turn to the hidden capabilities of the phone, which is a very careful approach, but it's 100 percent effective.

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the RF Band Info or Hardware Info block.
4. Look for a string that mentions NFC, PN544 (NXP chip) or SN100x (Broadcom chips).

If you don't have those lines, the module isn't physically present in the phone. If you do, but the function doesn't work, the problem might be:

• 🔧 Firmware (you need to refashion to the global version) MIUI).
• 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (an antenna or chip damaged).
• 📱 Regional restrictions (e.g. some models sold in India) NFC).

Method 4: Checking the phone model - compatibility table

If you know the exact model of your Xiaomi, you can check the official specifications. Below is a table with data on popular models for 2020-2026. Note: NFC support may vary depending on the region (for example, Redmi Note 11 for Europe has NFC, and for Asia it does not).

To clarify the information on their model:

1. Go to the official Xiaomi website.
2. Enter the model name in the search and open the page with the characteristics.
3. Find the Connectivity or Wireless Technology section.

Yeah, it works no problem.|Yes, but with restrictions (e.g., only payments)|No, although the specifications state otherwise.|No, and I don't plan to use it.|I don't know, I'm checking now.-->

Lifehack: If you buy a phone with your hands, ask the seller to demonstrate the NFC experience through the NFC Tools app (available on Google Play).

Method 5: Testing with Third-Party Applications

If previous methods have not given a clear answer, install one of the specialized applications for diagnosing NFC.

• 📱 NFC Tools – shows the presence of a chip, allows you to test reading / writing labels.
• 🔍 NFC Check – a minimalist application for quick check.
• 💳 Google Pay – if there is a module, the app will offer to configure payments.

Instructions for using NFC Tools:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Run it and wait for the detection message. NFC-chip.
3. If the error "NFC not available" appears, the module is not available or it is disabled.
4. For additional checks, try to count any NFC-tag (for example, a bank card or a transport ticket).

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If the app sees a chip but the phone doesn’t support Google Pay, the problem may be that there is no HCE (Host Card Emulation) certification, which is relevant for some Chinese models where NFC only works with local payment systems (e.g. Alipay).

Be careful: some apps may require permission to access personal data. Check reviews and rankings on Google Play before installing.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if your Xiaomi is equipped with NFC, you may find it difficult to use it.

⚠️ Attention: If NFC It suddenly stopped working after the update. MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version. In some cases (e.g., in the case of a MIUI 14 for Redmi Note 11) updates break module drivers.

Problem 1: NFC is in the settings, but not included.

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Check if there are any energy saving modes (they can turn off the module).
• 🛠️ Reset network settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings.

Problem 2: The phone doesn’t see credit cards or tags.

• 📍 Make sure you hold the phone to the tag with the correct side (the antenna is usually located at the top of the back cover).
• 🔋 Check if the bank card is demagnetized.
• 📲 Update the Google Pay or Mi Pay app.

Problem 3: NFC only works with payments, not other features.

This is a firmware restriction, and in Chinese versions, MIUI often blocks access to the NFC API for third-party applications.

• 🌍 Install a global firmware (for example, MIUI EU).
• 🔓 Get root rights and edit the build.prop file (power users only!).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions