NFC (Near Field Communication) technology has long been an integral part of modern smartphones, but many owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note still do not know how to use it. This smartphone, released in 2020, supports NFC, but its capabilities often remain untapped. Unlike flagship models, where NFC is activated by default and integrated into a variety of functions, in budget devices it has to be manually configured.
In this article, we'll look at what NFC is in the context of the Redmi 9 Note, how to enable it, what it does, from contactless payments to managing smart devices, the hidden settings, limitations, and life hacks that will make smartphone usage more convenient, and why NFC sometimes doesn't work and how to fix it.
What is NFC and why you need it Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note
NFC — This is a near-contact communication technology that allows you to exchange data between devices at a distance of up to 10 cm in Redmi 9 Note it is implemented through a chip. NXP PN54T, standard-bearing ISO 14443 (for payments) and ISO 18092 (for data exchange) is the main advantage. NFC Bluetooth or Wi-Fi – instant connection without passwords and minimal power consumption.
Here are the main use cases:
- 💳 Contactless payments via Google Pay, Mi Pay or banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.).
- 🔄 Transfer of files between smartphones (Android Beam – outdated, but still working protocol).
- 🏠 Smart home management: opening doors, setting up IoT devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Door Lock).
- 📇 Label reading (NFC-tags) for automating tasks (e.g., starting the navigator when touching a tag in the machine).
- 🎫 Identification: electronic tickets, passes, loyalty cards.
It is important to understand that the NFC in the Redmi 9 Note only works in active mode – that is, the smartphone must be on (the screen can be turned off). Passive mode (when the phone behaves like a tag) is not supported here, unlike some flagships Xiaomi.
How to check if there is NFC in your Redmi 9 Note
Not all versions of Redmi 9 Note are equipped with NFC-For example, the Redmi 9 (without the Note) does not have one, and in some regional versions of the Redmi 9 Note (for example, for India) NFC - No, no, no, no, no. To make sure it's there:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Full spec.
- Scroll to Wireless Networks – there should be an NFC item.
- If the specs don’t mention NFC, check the smartphone box: the spec sticker usually says NFC: Yes/No.
You can also use diagnostic applications like CPU-Z or AIDA64, and you go to Sensors or Connectivity and you find the NFC string, and if you don't have it, there's no chip in the device.
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If you buy a Redmi 9 Note used, be sure to check the NFC before payment. Often sellers don't mention the lack of a chip, and it will be difficult to return the phone after purchase.
How to enable and configure NFC on Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note
By default, the NFC in the Redmi 9 Note is turned off to save battery life.
- Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC.
- Move the NFC slider to the On position.
- Below you will see the Android Beam option (an outdated feature for data transfer) – you can leave it off.
- For contactless payments, include HCE-Currency applications (necessary for Google Pay).
Once turned on, NFC will be active even when the screen is locked, which is required for payments, but to transfer data or read tags, the screen must be unlocked.
Is NFC enabled in the settings?
Is HCE mode activated for payments?
Is the screen unlocked when trying to transfer data?
Is there a payment app (Google Pay, Mi Pay) installed?
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If NFC is not turned on, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
- 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI were bugs with NFC).
- 🛠️ Reset network settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
Contactless payments via NFC: step-by-step instructions
The main application of NFC in Redmi 9 Note is payments. The smartphone supports Google Pay, Mi Pay (in some regions) and banking applications with contactless payment.
- Install Google Pay from the Google Play Market.
- Add a bank card (Mastercard, Visa, MIR are supported).
- Confirm the card via SMS or bank application.
- When paying, bring the top of the smartphone (where it is located). NFC-chip) to the terminal at a distance of 2-5 cm.
Important: Google Pay on Redmi 9 Note requires:
- 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked, payments will not work).
- 📱 Do not use custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) as they break SafetyNet certification.
- 🔄 Update Google Play to the latest version.
Why Google Pay doesn’t work after resetting your settings?
For payments through SberBank Online or Tinkoff, the algorithm is similar, but instead of Google Pay, the built-in contactless payment function in the banking application is used.
Data transmission and work with NFC-marker
Although Android Beam (the standard NFC file transfer feature) is outdated, it still works in Redmi 9 Note.
- Turn on NFC on both smartphones.
- Open the file (photo, contact, link) and select Send → Android Beam.
- Connect the back of the phones (NFC-chip is located next to the camera).
- Wait for the beep - the transmission will start automatically.
The NFC transmission speed is low (about 400 Kb/s), so it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth for large files, but NFC is convenient for exchanging contacts or small texts.
To work with NFC-The tags will need an app like this. NFC Tools or Trigger:
- 📱 Write down command tags (for example, turn on Wi-Fi when touched).
- 🔧 Read information from tags (for example, data from a transport card).
- 🏠 Automate tasks (opening doors, running smart home scenarios).
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NFC-The tags are cheap (from 50 rubles apiece) and can greatly simplify everyday tasks, for example, a key tag can automatically turn on the navigator when you start the machine.
Managing Smart Devices through NFC
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Note can communicate with smart devices via NFC, but only if they support this protocol.
- 🚪 Xiaomi Mi Smart Door Lock (Aqara).
- 💡 Smart lamps with NFC-fast-connection.
- 🎵 Columns and headphones (some Xiaomi models support fast pairing via a NFC).
To connect a smart device:
- Make sure the device supports NFC (this is indicated in the instructions).
- Turn on NFC on your smartphone.
- Bring the phone to NFC-tag on the device (usually marked with a logo) NFC).
- Follow the instructions in the smart home app (e.g. Mi Home).
Limitation: The Redmi 9 Note does not support UWB (Ultra-Wideband), so the accuracy of device location is lower than that of flagships (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro).
NFC Problems in Redmi 9 Note and Their Solutions
Redmi 9 Note users often experience NFC issues, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| NFC is not included | Software failure or outdated firmware | Update MIUI to the latest version or reset your network settings |
| Payments don't pass | Not certified by SafetyNet | Check SafetyNet status through the SafetyNet Test app and reinstall Google Pay |
| Phone doesn't see a mark. | Weak signal or interference | Bring the phone closer to the tag (1-2 cm), avoid metal surfaces |
| Android Beam is not working. | Function disabled in settings | Turn Android Beam on the NFC menu and make sure that both devices are enabled with NFC. |
If NFC stopped working after a firmware update, try rolling back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot.Instructions for rollback can be found on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.
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If NFC It's unstable, try turning off the Quick Optimization feature in the battery settings. It can force you to turn off. NFC-power-saving.