How to turn Android Beam on Xiaomi Redmi 9: A Complete Guide to Problem Solutions

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with support for NFC, but many users do not even suspect that their device is able to transfer files, contacts and links over the air without the Internet. Android Beam is a technology that has allowed you to do this since the days of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, but in modern versions of the OS its functionality is hidden deeper, and the name has changed. In this article, we will discuss how to activate this feature on Redmi 9, what settings will be required, and why it may not work even after turning on.

It’s important to understand that Android Beam as a standalone option disappeared after Android 10, but its capabilities are integrated into standard NFC. On Xiaomi Redmi 9 (with MIUI 12/13/14 based on Android 10/11/12), touch data transfer works differently than on older devices. We will show the current ways – from classic contact sharing to transferring photos over NFC + Bluetooth.

What is Android Beam and why it is not in the Redmi 9 settings

Android Beam technology debuted in 2011 as a way to exchange data between devices via NFC. A user could simply attach two smartphones to each other, and contacts, links or small files were transferred automatically. However, with the release of Android 10, Google abolished the separate Android Beam menu, integrating its features into standard NFC.

On the Xiaomi Redmi 9, you won’t find “Android Beam” in the settings – instead, the NFC- (NFC Data Exchange Format, NDEF) mechanism is used.

• 📱 Contact transfer works through the standard Contacts app.
• 🔗 Link exchange is possible from the Chrome browser or MIUI Browser.
• 📁 Files (photos, documents) are transmitted via the combination NFC + Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct.
• ⚠️ Size limit: No more than 1-2 KB can be sent via pure NFC (e.g., a business card or URL).

If you're trying to find Android Beam in Settings → Connected Devices → NFC, it's not there — instead, you need to turn on NFC and use compatible apps. Let's see how to do that.

Preparation: check the availability of NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9

Before you try to turn on Android Beam (or its analogue), make sure your Redmi 9 supports NFC. Not all versions of this model are equipped with a chip:

To check for NFC on your device:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Full specs.
2. Scroll to the Wireless Networks block – there should be an NFC item.
3. Alternatively, type the “NFC” request in the settings search.

⚠️ Warning: If the NFC specification is missing, your Redmi 9 doesn't physically support the technology. Trying to enable it through an engineering menu or firmware won't get you anywhere - you'll need to buy an external NFC- adapter (e.g., NFC Tag for USB-C).

Step-by-step: how to enable NFC and activate data exchange

If your Xiaomi Redmi 9 supports NFC, follow this instruction to activate the data exchange function (similar to Android Beam):

Check out the smartphone model (should be Redmi 9 NFC)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure that both devices are enabled with Bluetooth (for file transfer)

Download the Files by Google app (for file sharing)-->

1. Turn on NFC: Go to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and activate the slider. Next to it, "Ready to use" will appear.
2. Set up Sharing Mode: In the same menu, tap on Advanced Settings NFC (or Additional) and select: 📲 Enable Data Exchange (or NFC- Sharing). 🔄 Allow Bluetooth Transfer (for files >1 KB).
3. Prepare the data for transmission: Open the file, contact or link you want to send: 📇 To contact: Open the Contacts app, select the one you want and click Share → NFC. 🌐 For reference: in Chrome click ⋮ → Share. → NFC. 📸 For photo: in the gallery, select an image → Share. → Bluetooth (NFC initiates the connection).

Initiate transmission:

Attach the back of the Redmi 9 to another device (1-2 cm) and it should sound or vibration, and the "Touch for transmission" notification will appear on the screen, confirm the action.

Critical nuance: on MIUI 12-14 for file transfer via NFC must include Bluetooth - otherwise the exchange will be interrupted after sending the first 1-2 KB. This is due to the limitations of the NDEF protocol.

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If NFC is not turned on, restart your smartphone and check if the function is blocked by the power saving mode. In Settings → Battery → Energy saving mode add NFC to exceptions.

What data can be transferred over NFC to Redmi 9

Unlike the classic Android Beam, modern NFC exchanges with Xiaomi have limitations on data types.

To transfer large files (>2 KB), the system will automatically prompt you to connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, for example, when sending a photo:

1. NFC initiates a connection.
2. Smartphones coordinate transmission over Bluetooth.
3. The file is sent in the background.

⚠️ Warning: If Bluetooth is disabled on the receiving device, the file transfer will be interrupted with the error "Can't send." Before sharing, make sure that both smartphones are visible to pair.

What to do if Android Beam (NFC) doesn’t work on Redmi 9

If you have enabled NFC but the data exchange is not running, check the following points:

• 🔋 Battery charge: At levels below 15% MIUI can block NFC to save energy.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or firewall: Some applications (e.g., Avast) block data exchange via NFC.
• 📱 Device incompatibility: If the second smartphone is an iPhone, the exchange will only work one way (from Android to iOS).
• 🔄 Firmware failure: After the MIUI update, the NFC configuration may reset.

Solutions:

1. Reset NFC settings: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → NFC, click Storage → Clear Data.
2. Update MIUI: Some firmware versions (e.g. MIUI 12.0.8) have had an NFC bug. Update to the latest stable version via Settings → Software Update.
3. Check the NFC antenna: The NFC chip is located under the top of the back cover. If you have a case with metal inserts or a magnet on your smartphone, remove it.
4. Use third-party apps: If standard sharing doesn’t work, install NFC Tools or Send Anywhere from Google Play.

Android Beam Alternatives for Xiaomi Redmi 9

If the NFC on your Redmi 9 is missing or not working, consider alternative ways to share data:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: Transfer files up to 300 Mbps without a router. Enables in Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🔵 Bluetooth 5.0: Supports speeds up to 2 Mbps (2 times faster than Bluetooth 4.2). For activation: → Bluetooth settings.
• 🌐 Local Area Network (FTP): Applications like FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer allow you to create a FTP- server on a smartphone and download files through a browser.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive or Telegram (sending files to yourself in Save Messages»).

Comparison of transmission speeds:

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NFC is convenient for fast contact or link transfer, but for large files (photos, videos) it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth 5.0.

Security: Risks of using NFC on Xiaomi

NFC technology is considered safe, but has vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers.

• 🕵️ Data sniffing: when transmitted via NFC, data is not encrypted; an attacker with a NFC- reader can intercept it at a distance of up to 10 cm.
• 💳 Payment card cloning: If you have linked a bank card to Google Pay, a fraudster may try to read its details (although MIUI blocks such attempts).
• 📲 Automatic execution of commands: Some NFC- tags may contain malicious commands (e.g., clicking to a phishing site).

How to defend yourself:

1. Turn off NFC when not in use.
2. Do not bring your smartphone to unknown NFC- tags (for example, on the streets or in transport).
3. Use Google Pay with a fingerprint confirmation.
4. Install an antivirus with NFC protection (e.g. Kaspersky Internet Security).

⚠️ Warning: The Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI has the default NFC feature enabled, which blocks unauthorized reading of data. However, it does not protect against physical access to the unlocked smartphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android Beam on Xiaomi Redmi 9