How to check the presence of NFC in the smartphone Xiaomi: 5 working ways

You bought a Xiaomi smartphone and you want to pay with your phone, connect smart devices, or transfer files without the Internet? You need an NFC module, short-range contactless technology. But not all Redmi, POCO or Mi models have this chip, even if they look the same. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro has NFC, and the base version of the Redmi Note 12 does not.

In this article, you will learn how to determine exactly whether your Xiaomi has NFC without disassembling your phone. We will look at official and alternative methods of verification, including hidden settings, third-party apps and physical diagnostics. And we will also look at why some Xiaomi models are sold with and without NFC - and how this affects the price.

1. Verification through smartphone settings (the fastest way)

If the NFC module is built into the device, it can be enabled through the standard menu, which works on all current versions of MIUI (12-14) and does not require additional programs to be installed.

Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC. If there is no item, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Settings → Additionally. → Wireless networks → NFC (old-form MIUI)
• 📱 Notification panel → Long-term tapping of the icon "NFC" (if there is)
• 🔄 Settings → Search (loop) → enter "NFC"

If an NFC appears in the search results but an error is detected, it means that the module is physically absent despite the presence of a software shell, as is the case in some regional versions of Xiaomi (for example, India’s POCO X3 Pro without NFC).

Check out the MIUI version (update to the latest version)

Make sure that SIM-The card supports contactless payments

Reboot your smartphone

Try resetting your network settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Data and Bluetooth)-->

2.Check on the smartphone model: Xiaomi’s full list with NFC

Xiaomi does not always clearly indicate the presence of NFC in the characteristics, especially for the budget lines Redmi and POCO. Below is a table with current models (2020-2026), where the module is exactly or is not:

⚠️ Note: The same smartphone can be sold with NFC And not depending on the region, POCO X5 Pro 5G For Europe, it's module-based, but for India, it's not. Check the label on the box if there are letters at the end of the model name. EEA (Europe) or Global, the chances of having NFC higher.

Yeah, I checked in person.|Yes, but I didn't)|No, but I would.|No, you don't.|I don't know, so I'm reading the article.-->

3. Use of third-party diagnostic applications

If standard settings don't give you an answer, third-party software will help. NFC testing apps not only show you that the module is there, but also test it.

• 📱 NFC Tools (Play Market) – scans the chip, shows technical data and allows you to write tags.
• 🔍 CPU-Z — Sensors displays a list of sensors, including NFC Controller.
• 🛠️ DevCheck – there is a point in the Hardware block NFC detailed information on protocols (ISO 14443, ISO 15693, etc.).

How to check with NFC Tools:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and press Read (if there is a module, the inscription Tag detected will appear when you bring it to the label).
3. If the screen is left blank, NFC is missing or disabled at the firmware level.

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If the app shows an error "NFC is not supported," but you are sure that the module is, try rolling back the version of MIUI to an older one. In some firmware for Russia, NFC is software blocked.

4.Physical check: Where is the NFC antenna in Xiaomi

The NFC module in Xiaomi smartphones is usually located at the top of the back cover, next to the camera, and can be detected by the following signs:

• 📏 Location: Under the plastic/glass panel, to the left of the main lens (at the level of the Mi or Redmi logo).
• 🔍 External tags: on some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) There's a barely noticeable antenna contour under the glass.
• 🛠️ Disassembly: when removing the back cover chip NFC It looks like a small chip with a sign. NXP (producer PN547/PN80T (controller-model).

⚠️ Note: If you decide to disassemble the smartphone for verification, remember: in Xiaomi with the help of the smartphone. IP53 (Dust and splash protection is lost after the lid is removed.Redmi Note 12 Pro+ And now it can cancel the guarantee.

5. Check through the engineering menu (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can check the smartphone’s engineering menu, which is suitable for Qualcomm Snapdragon processor-based models (most Xiaomi and POCO).

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the RFID/NFC block. If you have one, the module is installed.

For smartphones on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10A), use a different code:

##36446337##

In the menu that opens, go to Connectivity → NFC. The absence of this item means that the chip is not soldered into the motherboard.

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The engineering menu may not be available in Chinese firmware (e.g. Xiaomi for the CN market), in which case only flashing to the global version of MIUI will help.

6. Alternative methods: test with a bank card or a label

If you have a contactless bank card (Mastercard PayPass, Visa payWave) or NFC-tag (for example, transport card), you can check the smartphone in practice:

1. Activate NFC in the settings (if there is a paragraph).
2. Bring the back of the phone to the card at a distance of 1-3 cm.
3. If the smartphone vibrates or a notification appears on the screen (for example, a suggestion to add a card to Google Pay), the module works.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9T) passive NFC — They can read tags, but they don't support payments. To check that, try paying for it with a phone in a store. NFC It is only for reading tags.

7.Why my Xiaomi doesn't have NFC (and can I add it)

The lack of NFC module in Xiaomi smartphone is usually due to one of the reasons:

• 💰 Budget model: In the lines of Redmi A, POCO M and basic versions of Note chip excluded for cheaper.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: For markets in India, Latin America and Southeast Asia, Xiaomi often releases versions without the help of the company. NFC.
• 🔄 Hardware modification: In some cases, the module is available, but is disabled by the firmware (for example, in service phones).

Can you install NFC yourself? Technically, yes, but it requires:

• Rations of a new chip on the motherboard (the cost of the part — ~1500–3000 ₽).
• Firmware special software for activating the module.
• Microelectronics skills (risk of damaging the board during disassembly).

💡 Conclusion: Add NFC manually unprofitable – it is cheaper to sell the current smartphone and buy a model with a factory module (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro).+ Redmi Note 13 instead of Redmi Note 13).

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC in Xiaomi