How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi: full instructions with pictures and tips

NFC (Near Field Communication) technology has long been an integral part of modern smartphones, allowing contactless payments, data exchange and control smart devices with one touch. Xiaomi phone owners often face the question of how to properly activate this module, especially if it does not work out of the box or hidden in the settings. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from checking hardware support to the intricacies of settings in different versions of MIUI.

It’s important to understand that not all Xiaomi models are equipped with an NFC chip. For example, the budget Redmi Note 10/11 series in the basic versions often lack this module, while the flagship Xiaomi 13/14 or POCO F5 support it by default. We will help determine whether there is NFC in your device, and if so – how to turn it on in 30 seconds.

How to check if there is NFC in your Xiaomi

Before you try to activate NFC, make sure your smartphone is equipped with NFC, and the manufacturer doesn’t always specify this information on the box or in the basic specs, so you’ll have to use alternative methods.

The most reliable way to check the model on the official Xiaomi website in the specifications section. For example, for Xiaomi 12T Pro, NFC support is confirmed, but for Redmi 9A it is not.

• 🔍 Use the application CPU-Z (Sensors section – there should be a point NFC).
• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Full specifications (on some firmware).
• 🛒 View the marking on the box: models with NFC Often have a contactless payment sign (wavy lines).

If none of the methods confirmed the presence of the module, most likely, your Xiaomi does not support the technology. NFC-Adapter (for example, for iPhone sold special stickers, but for Android this solution is not always reliable).

Step-by-step: how to turn on NFC on Xiaomi

If the module is present, it will take less than a minute to activate it, and the instructions are universal for most devices on MIUI 12-14, but there may be minor differences in the layout of menu items.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (or Wireless Networks on older versions).
3. Slip on the NFC item (can be called Contactless Payments).
4. Activate the NFC slider at the top of the screen.
5. To use payment systems (e.g. Google Pay) enable the option HCE-Cards or Contactless Payments.

Once activated, the module will run in the background. To check its performance, hold the phone to another NFC device (for example, to the payment terminal) - an audible signal should be heard or a notification should appear.

Important! On some models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro), the NFC point may be hidden.

1. Open the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Click on the pencil icon (Edit).
3. Find the NFC list and drag it to the active area.

Configure contactless payments via NFC

Activating the module is only half the battle, and to use contactless payments, you need to link your bank card to one of the supported services.

• 💳 Google Pay (works on all devices with Google Pay) NFC and Google services).
• 🏦 Mi Pay (branded solution from Xiaomi, supported by Russian banks).
• 🍎 Samsung Pay (only on some models, for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 in Korean firmware).

To set up Google Pay:

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Open it and press Add the map.
3. Take a picture of the map or enter the data manually.
4. Confirm the link via SMS from the bank.

Mi Pay is set up in a similar way, but requires registration in the Xiaomi ecosystem. Once the card is tied, you can pay by simply unlocking the phone and bringing it to the terminal - confirmation by the user. PIN-no code or fingerprint required (up to 1000-5000) ₽, depending on the bank).

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If the terminal is not reading the card from the phone, try bringing it to the top of the back panel – that’s where it is located. NFC-chip in most Xiaomi models.

Common NFC Problems on Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Even if the module is activated, users often encounter errors, and consider typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

This often helps with software failures without affecting user data.

Wherever NFC-chip in Xiaomi smartphones

Many users don't know where to take the phone to the terminal or other device. NFC-chip depends on the model:

• 📱 In most flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, POCO F4) chip is located at the top of the back panel (near the main camera).
• 🔄 In some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) — centrally under the logo.
• 📲 In folding devices (Xiaomi) MIX Fold - on the outside of the case (not under the screen!).

To determine the exact location:

1. Turn on NFC and open a tag reader app (like NFC Tools).
2. Hold the phone to the tag (you can buy it in the electronics store for 50-100) ₽).
3. Move the device until you hear the beep – this will be the area of the chip.

Knowing the exact location of the chip will help avoid inconvenience when paying or transferring data, for example, if you bring Xiaomi 12 Lite to the terminal with the bottom part, the payment may not pass.

How to use NFC on Xiaomi for data transfer

In addition to payments, NFC allows you to quickly exchange files between devices.

1. Turn on NFC on both smartphones.
2. Activate the Android Beam option (or Quick Transfer in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Select a file (photo, contact, or link) to transfer.
4. Bring the phones back to each other.
5. Wait for the beep and confirm the transmission on both devices.

NFC transmission speeds are lower than Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth, but this method is convenient for small files (up to 1-2 MB) or contacts, such as sharing a business card or a link to a website quickly.

Automating tasks with the help of NFC-Labels (e.g., turning on Wi-Fi when you touch a tag on your desktop) use apps like Trigger or Automate, which allow you to program actions when you read a particular tag.

NFC Security: How to Protect Data

Despite the convenience, contactless technologies carry risks, and attackers can intercept card data or change the tag to minimize the threats:

• 🔒 Use only official payment applications (Google Pay, Mi Pay).
• 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication for bank cards.
• 📵 Turn it off. NFC, When not used (this will also save battery life).
• 🚨 Do not bring your phone to unknown terminals or tags.

MIUI has built-in protection mechanisms:

• Automatically disable NFC when locking the screen (configured in Settings → NFC → Additional).
• Notifications of suspicious tags (if NFC Security is enabled)

If you lose a phone with your cards tied, lock them immediately through the banking app or Google Find My Device service.

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NFC on Xiaomi is secure when set up correctly, but requires vigilance: always check terminals before paying and do not store sensitive data on unsecured tags.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions