NFC Xiaomi smartphones: why you need a chip, how to turn on and use as much as possible

Have you ever wondered why Xiaomi’s features almost always mention support? NFC, But 90 percent of users don't even know how to use it, and it's a technology that's no longer exotic, and it's now embedded in budget models like the Redmi Note 12 or the Redmi Note. POCO X5. However, many people still associate NFC Only with contactless payments, while the chip’s capabilities are much wider: from smart home automation to instant file transfer.

In this article, we will discuss all the functions NFC Xiaomi smartphones, from basic to hidden, you'll learn how to set up a chip on different firmware (MIUI, HyperOS, which models support the technology and why NFC It refuses to work even on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and also - we will reveal the life hack using the device. NFC-Tags to automate routine tasks that few people know about.

What is NFC in a Smartphone and How Does It Work?

NFC (Near Field Communication is a short-range wireless technology (up to 10 cm) that allows devices to communicate without an internet connection, NFC consumes a minimum amount of energy and is activated instantly – just simply bring the smartphone to another device or tag.

In smartphones Xiaomi chip NFC It's usually integrated into the motherboard and runs at 13.56 MHz. It supports three major modes:

• 📱 Active mode – both devices (like two smartphones) generate their own electromagnetic field to exchange data.
• 💳 Passive mode – the smartphone reads information from a tag or card (for example, a bank or transport device).
• 🔄 Card emulation – the smartphone itself acts as a contactless card (for example, to pay via Google Pay).

It is important to understand that NFC Xiaomi is not just about contactless payment, but it can interact with the chip:

• 🚇 Transport cards (for example, Troika in Moscow or Octopus in Hong Kong).
• 🔑 Smart locks and intercoms (for example, Aqara or Mi Home systems).
• 📦 NFC-Automation tags (for example, starting Wi-Fi or enabling silent mode when touching a tag).
• 🎮 Game consoles (e.g. Nintendo Switch for Joy-Con controllers).

What Xiaomi models support NFC: full list

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with NFC-For example, in the budget series Redmi A or POCO M is often excluded to make the device cheaper. Below is the current list of models with the NFC 2026, divided into series:

To check if there is any NFC In your model, do one of the things:

1. Check out the specifications on the official Xiaomi website (section "Connection").
2. Enter the Settings in search → The phone. → All the features and find the line "NFC".
3. Use the app. AIDA64 (section “Network” → NFC").

⚠️ Note: In some regions (such as India or Latin America), Xiaomi releases smartphone versions without the help of the company. NFC Even in models where it is in the global version. Always check the package for your market!

How to Enable and Configure NFC on Xiaomi

By default. NFC Xiaomi's switched off to save battery power. To activate the chip, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Connection and Sharing.
2. Tap on point. NFC (In some cases, it is hidden in the).
3. Move the slider to the "On" position.
4. (Optionally) Click on Additional settings to enable: 💳 Card emulation (for payments). 📱 Data exchange (Android Beam). 🔍 Reading tags (for automation).

On HyperOS firmware (starting with Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13), the path may be different:

Settings → Wireless Networks → NFC and Payments

If the NFC item is not on the menu, it means one of three:

• 📵 Your model does not support technology (check the list above).
• 🔄 You use custom firmware where the driver is NFC remotely.
• 🔧 Chip damaged (for example, after falling or repairing).

Make sure the chip is enabled in the settings|

Try to bring the phone to another. NFC-tag (for example, a bank card)|

Reboot the device |

Update the firmware to the latest version-->

Main functions NFC Xiaomi: From payments to automation

Now let’s look at practical use cases. NFC Most users are limited to payments, but the chip is capable of much more.

1. Contactless payments (Google Pay, Mi Pay, SberPay)

The most popular feature is a bank card emulation.

1. Install a payment system application (e.g. Google Pay).
2. Add the card through Add the means of payment.
3. Confirm the binding via SMS or push notification from the bank.
4. When paying, unlock your phone and bring it to the terminal (no need to open the application).

Xiaomi also has its own solution, Mi Pay, but it only works in China and some Asian countries.

• 💳 Google Pay (supports Majority Banks).
• 🏦 SberPay (only for Sberbank customers).
• 🍎 Apple Pay (no, it’s not a typo – some terminals in Russia support Apple Pay via Apple Pay) NFC Android).

2. Transport cards (metro, buses, trams)

In most major cities of Russia NFC-You can use a smartphone instead of a transport card, for example, in Moscow:

1. Download the application Metro Moscow or Troika.Wallet.
2. Link the virtual card "Troika" to the phone.
3. Refill the balance through the app.
4. When passing through the turnstile, unlock the phone and bring it to the reader.

Similar services work in:

• 🚇 St. Petersburg - "Plantman".
• 🚌 Kazan - "Electronic wallet".
• 🚊 Novosibirsk - "Electronic travel card".

⚠️ Note: In some cities (for example, Yekaterinburg) for fare NFC separate SIM-Map with support for transport applications (for example, MTS Transport). Virtual cards in Google Pay may not work!

3. File and Contact Transfer (Android Beam)

Android Beam allows you to instantly transfer files, links or contacts between two smartphones NFC. How it works:

1. Enable NFC and Android Beam on both devices.
2. Open the file (photo, document) or contact you want to transfer.
3. Hold the phones back to each other.
4. Wait for the beep and confirm the transmission.

Limitations:

• 📱 It only works between Android devices.
• 📄 The maximum file size is about 1 GB (in practice, it is better to transfer files up to 100 MB).
• ⚡ Transfer speeds up to 424 Kbps (slower than Wi-Fi Direct, but more convenient for small files).

4. Smart home and automation with NFC-tag

One of the most underrated functions is the interaction with NFC-These are little stickers (between 50 rubles) that you can program to do things when you touch a smartphone:

• 🏠 Attach the phone to the tag at the door - Wi-Fi will automatically turn on, the smart home app will open and the light will turn on.
• 🚗 When you touch the tag in the car – the navigator will start and Bluetooth will connect.
• 🛏️ The mark on the bedside table - will turn on the night mode and set an alarm clock.

You'll need to set up:

1. Buy NFC-tags (e.g, NTAG213 or NTAG215 AliExpress).
2. Install the Trigger or Automate app.
3. Program the action (e.g., “When touching the tag” → wifi").
4. Attach the tag to the right place (door, table, mirror).

5 Interaction with smart devices

NFC Xiaomi is compatible with many Mi Home devices:

• 🔐 Smart locks (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Door Lock) – open when you touch your phone.
• 🚪 Intercoms (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Smart Video Doorbell) – unlock through NFC.
• 💡 Smart lamps - on / off when holding a smartphone.

To set up:

1. Install the Mi Home app.
2. Add a smart device to the system.
3. In the device settings, select Control through NFC.
4. Follow the instructions on the anchor screen.

Why? NFC Does not work on Xiaomi: common problems and solutions

If NFC It doesn't turn on or it doesn't read the tags, and it can be either software or hardware:

If the problem is not solved, try:

1. Update your firmware to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
2. Reset your network settings (Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings).
3. Check the chip for damage using a test app NFC Tools.

⚠️ Note: If after a fall or repair NFC It's not working, it's a high probability of damage to the chip antenna, and it requires a diagnostic service center, and the cost of repair is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the model.

💡

If NFC If you don't read your bank card, try to hold your phone to the top of the card (where the chip is located), many users mistakenly hold your smartphone to the magnetic stripe, which causes crashes.

Hidden opportunities NFC Xiaomi: life hacks and non-obvious chips

Few people know, but NFC Xiaomi has a much broader use than it seems. Here are some undocumented features:

1. Quick Wi-Fi connection via NFC-tag

If you have a complicated Wi-Fi password at home, you can write it down to the NFC-tag:

1. Open the app. NFC Tools.
2. Select Write → Add recording → Wi-Fi.
3. Enter the network name (SSID) and password.
4. Write the data down on a tag.

Now guests can connect to your Wi-Fi by simply attaching their smartphone to a sticker!

Automatic driving mode activation

With help. NFC-tag in the car can be configured:

• 📵 Automatic activation of the "Driving" mode".
• 📞 Answering calls via speakerphone.
• 🎵 Launching a music application (for example, Yandex Music).
• 📍 Opening maps (Google Maps or Yandex Navigator).

3. Hidden settings NFC engineer

Xiaomi has a hidden menu for diagnostics NFC. To open it:

##3646633##

Next:

1. Move to the NFC.
2. Here you can test the chip, see its version and even manually update the firmware module.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the parameters in the engineering menu unless you know what they mean! NFC.

4.Use of NFC authentication in applications

Some banking applications (e.g. Tinkoff or Alpha-Click) allow you to confirm transactions through the NFC. For that:

1. Turn on NFC in the settings.
2. In the banking application, select the authentication method "By NFC".
3. Bring the phone to the terminal or a special label (it can be ordered from the bank).

5 Supported Games NFC

Yeah, in NFC You can play, like:

• 🎮 Pokémon GO — Some Pokestops require scanning NFC-tag.
• 🃏 NFC Card Reader – a game where you need to read virtual cards.
• 🧩 Amiibo – if you own Nintendo figures, you can scan them through the NFC Xiaomi (requires root or special software).

💡

NFC-Tags can be used as physical shortcuts to trigger any action on your phone, and are convenient for automating routine tasks without the use of voice assistants or complex scripts.

NFC Security: How to Protect Your Data

Despite the convenience, NFC — It's a wireless data technology, and it's potentially vulnerable to attack:

1. Data leakage through NFC

An attacker can read information from your phone up to 10 cm away if:

• 📵 NFC plugged in.
• 🔓 Phone unlocked.
• 📱 Installed malicious applications with access to NFC.

How to defend yourself:

• 🔒 Turn it on. NFC only when you need it.
• 🛡️ Use an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky).
• 🔐 Do not store sensitive data (passwords, pin codes) in public NFC-tag.

2. Cloning of bank cards

In theory, fraudsters can copy your credit card details through a NFC, But in practice, this is almost impossible because of the technology of protection:

• 🔑 Dynamic CVV — The security code changes with each payment.
• 🔒 Tokenization – the real card number is not transferred to the terminal.
• 📡 Distance Limitation – Reading is only possible from a distance < 4cm.

Nevertheless:

• Do not keep your phone on with it on. NFC back pocket in public places.
• Use covers with protection from NFC-scanning (with metallized mesh).
• Set up payment notifications in the banking application.

3. Protection against unauthorized access

If you use NFC To unlock a smart lock or intercom, make sure that:

• 🔑 It's on the phone. PIN-code.
• 📱 Encryption of data (Settings) is enabled → Security → Encryption).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware (in new versions) MIUI/HyperOS closing vulnerabilities NFC).

For additional protection, you can use applications such as NFC Locks that block access to the chip without authorization.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC in Xiaomi