Android Beam on Xiaomi: How to enable NFC for fast data transfer between phones

Android Beam technology allowed files, contacts, or links to be transferred instantly between Android devices via NFC — just attaching phones to each other was enough. Although Google has officially stopped supporting this feature in new Android versions since 2020, many Xiaomi smartphones (especially models before MIUI 12) still retain it in firmware. If your Redmi, POCO, or Mi are equipped with an NFC chip, the chance to activate Android Beam remains — but this will require enabling hidden settings.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction on how to enable the feature on different versions of the MIUI, a list of compatible Xiaomi devices, as well as alternative ways to transfer data if Android Beam is not available. We will also analyze common errors (for example, why phones “can’t see” each other) and give security recommendations – because the NFC- transfer, despite its convenience, has its vulnerabilities.

What is Android Beam and why it was removed from new versions of MIUI

Android Beam is an NFC protocol that debuted in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (2011).

• 📁 Files (photos, documents, APK)
• 📇 Contacts and business cards
• 🔗 Links to web pages or apps in Google Play
• 📍 Coordinates on a map (e.g., a tag in Google Maps)

The main advantage is instantaneous transfer without an Internet connection and without the need for passwords. However, in 2020, Google removed the feature from Android 10 and later, citing the low popularity and development of alternatives (Nearby Share, Quick Share).However, Xiaomi left support for Android Beam in some firmware MIUI — especially on devices with a NFC- chip (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F3, Mi 11).

Why is it that the function is not available even on supported models?

• 🔄 Update to MIUI 13/14 — In newer versions, the option is hidden or removed.
• 📱 Regional firmware — in Chinese versions of MIUI Android Beam is often disabled.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware — for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience — may not support the feature.

List of Xiaomi smartphones with support for Android Beam

Not all Xiaomi devices are equipped with a NFC- chip, and without it, the Android Beam will not work. Below is a table of models on which the function is guaranteed to work before upgrading to the MIUI 12.5+ (new versions may require manual activation).

⚠️ Warning: If your model is not listed but is equipped with NFC, try enabling Android Beam via Settings → Additional → NFC or the engineering menu (instruction below). On non-chip devices (e.g., Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the feature is fundamentally unavailable.

Step-by-step: how to turn on Android Beam on Xiaomi

The activation process depends on the version of MIUI, and below is a universal algorithm for most supported models.

Method 1: Using standard settings (MIUI 11-12.5)

Make sure that NFC plugged|Open your phone settings|Check the version. MIUI (Settings → The phone)|Connect both devices to charging (for stable operation)-->

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC.
2. Activate the NFC switch (if it is turned off).
3. Tap on Android Beam (can be called NFC Data Transfer).
4. Enable the option and confirm permissions (if the system requests).

🔹 If there is no Android Beam, try updating MIUI to the latest version or use Method 2.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for MIUI 13+)

The new firmware versions have the option hidden to return it:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. Go to the phone information section.
3. Scroll down and find the NFC (or RF Testing) item.
4. Enable Android Beam (reboot may be required).

⚠️ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu may cause NFC to crash (e.g. contactless payments to fail).If Google Pay or transport cards stop working after Android Beam activation, reset NFC in the same menu.

💡

If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the combination through the Activity Launcher app (available on Google Play). Select com.android.settings. → Testing

How to use Android Beam: transfer files and contacts

Once you turn on the function, it takes literally seconds to transfer data, and let's look at the process of sharing a photo:

1. Open a file (such as a photo in the Gallery) or a contact in the Phone Book.
2. Apply the back of your Xiaomi to another phone (no more than 2-3 cm away).
3. Wait for the beep or vibration, which means that the devices have “seen” each other.
4. It'll show you a message saying, "Tap to pass." Slap it.
5. On the receiving phone, confirm receipt of the file.

🔹 Limitations:

• 📏 The maximum file size is 1 GB (in practice, transferring more than 500 MB can take a few minutes).
• 🔋 Both phones must be unlocked (screens on).
• 📶 Transfer speed is about 400 KB/s (slower than Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi Direct).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if Android Beam is enabled, Xiaomi users often encounter errors.

⚠️ Warning: If contactless payments (Google Pay, Mir Pay) are no longer working after Android Beam is activated, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Pay and clear the cache.
3. Reboot your phone and add the card again.

Android Beam Alternatives on Xiaomi: What to Use Instead

If Android Beam is not available or is not running smoothly, consider more modern ways to share data:

• 📲 Nearby Share (built into Android 10+) – Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth transmission at speeds up to 10MB/s. Works on all Xiaomi with Google Mobile Services.
• 🔄 Mi Share (branded Xiaomi solution) – optimized for MIUI devices, supports folder transfer and large files.
• 🌐 Local area network – via a FTP- server (applications FX File Explorer or Solid Explorer) or a HTTP- server (Python script for advanced users).
• ☁️ Cloud services: Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Telegram (sending files to yourself in Save Messages).

🔹 Comparison of transmission speeds:

• Android Beam: ~400 KB/s (maximum 1 GB).
• Nearby Share: Up to 10MB/s (no size limit)
• Mi Share: Up to 20MB/s (requires MIUI 11+)
• Bluetooth 5.0: ~2MB/s (suitable for small files)

💡

For large files (video, archives) it is better to use Mi Share or Nearby Share – they are 50 times faster than Android Beam and have no size restrictions.

Security with Android Beam

NFC data transmission is considered more secure than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but it also has vulnerabilities:

• 🕵️ Traffic listening — In theory, an attacker could intercept data if they were within 10 cm of the devices. The risk is minimal, but encryption is better for sensitive files.
• 🦠 Malware file transfer – if the receiving phone automatically opens the received files (e.g.,.apk), this can lead to the installation of viruses.
• 🔄 Payment system conflict – some banking applications block NFC if they detect Android Beam activity.

🔹 Safety recommendations:

1. Turn off Android Beam after use (in the notification curtain).
2. Do not transfer.apk files or executable scripts.
3. Before you send your contacts, check what data they contain (for example, private notes).
4. Use Mi Share or Nearby Share for sensitive files – they encrypt traffic.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Android Beam on Xiaomi