How to set up NFC on Xiaomi: from activation to smart tags

NFC technology in Xiaomi smartphones is no longer exotic — it’s now embedded even in the budget models of Redmi and POCO. But many users still don’t know how to set it up and use it properly, and it allows not only to pay for purchases contactlessly, but also to automate routine tasks with smart tags, quickly transfer files between devices and even unlock doors.

In this article, we will discuss everything from basic activation to NFC You will learn how to check the support of technology on your model, set up Google Pay or Mi Pay for payment, use Android Beam to transfer data and create automatic scripts with the help of the user. NFC-And also, how to avoid the common mistakes that make you think about it. NFC suddenly stop working.

Importantly, if your Xiaomi doesn’t recognize credit cards or tags, the problem may lie not in settings, but in hardware limitations, and we’ll take a closer look at which models support full-fledged NFC and which ones only for payment.

Checking NFC Support on Your Xiaomi

Before you set up NFC, make sure your smartphone supports this technology at all. Not all Xiaomi models are equipped with a chip - especially for the budget Redmi and POCO lines for some regions.

There are three ways to check for NFC:

• 📱 Through Settings: Open Settings → Connection and sharing → NFC. If there is no point, there is no chip.
• 🔍 By model: check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in services like GSMArena.
• 🛠️ Physically: on some models, antennas NFC You can bring your phone to the payment terminal, and if there's no response, there's no chip.

Note that even if NFC is available, its functionality may be limited, for example, in some regions (e.g. India), Xiaomi is disabling support for Google Pay, leaving only Mi Pay.

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If you don’t have an NFC option in the settings, but you’re sure the chip is there (by specifications), try updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI. Sometimes the feature is hidden in regional versions of the software.

Critical detail: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G) NFC only works with SIM-without a card, the function can be blocked.

NFC Activation: Step-by-step instructions

If your Xiaomi supports NFC, you can turn it on in a few steps.The process is the same for most models on MIUI 12/13/14, but there may be slight differences in the layout of menu items.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions of MIUI).
3. Slip on NFC.
4. Activate the NFC slider (should turn blue).
5. Select the mode of operation: 💳 Default Card – for payment (recommended). 📱 P2P (Android Beam – for transferring files. 🏷️ Reading tags – to interact with NFC-chip.

Once activated, the status bar (at the top of the screen) will show an NFC icon, which means that the technology is ready to go. If the icon is not there, try restarting the phone.

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Does the icon appear in the status bar?

Does the phone recognize the bank card (when presented)?

Can I turn on Android Beam (if supported)?

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⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware (e.g., custom) NFC It can conflict with other modules (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi). If the phone starts to brake after activation, try turning off other wireless interfaces.

Contactless payments (Google Pay, Mi Pay, SberPay)

The main application of NFC in smartphones is contactless payments. Xiaomi can use several services: Google Pay, Mi Pay (in China and some Asian countries), as well as SberPay, Tinkoff Pay and other banking applications.

Consider setting up on the example of Google Pay (the most universal option):

1. Download the Google Pay app from the Play Market (if it’s not by default).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
4. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or push notification from the bank.
6. After adding a card, install Google Pay as the default payment app: Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Payment → Google Pay

Mi Pay is set up in a similar way, but only works with Chinese banks (such as China UnionPay), which is useless in Russia and Europe. For SberPay and other banking applications, it is usually enough to add the card to the application itself - no further NFC configuration is required.

Transfer of files via NFC (Android Beam)

Another useful feature of NFC is fast file transfer between devices, which uses Android Beam technology, but it is not supported on all Xiaomi models, for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro this feature is missing, and in Xiaomi 13 Ultra it is.

To transmit the file:

1. Enable NFC and Android Beam on both devices: Settings → Connection and Sharing → NFC → Android Beam
2. Open the file (photo, contact, link) you want to transfer.
3. Combine the back panels of phones (NFC antennas are usually located at the top).
4. Wait for the sound signal or vibration – this means that the connection is established.
5. Click on the sender screen to start the transfer.

The speed of transfer via Android Beam is low (about 400 Kb/s), so for large files it is better to use Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth.

An alternative to Android Beam is apps like Send Anywhere or Xender, which use NFC only to initialize the connection, and the data itself is transmitted over Wi-Fi.

Use of the NFC-tagging

One of the most advanced features of NFC is smart tagging, which is small chips that can be programmed to do certain things when you hold a phone.

• 🔊 Turn on Bluetooth and connect to the column in the car.
• 🌙 Switch the phone to "Do Not Disturb" on the desktop.
• 📷 Launch the camera with the set settings.
• 📍 Send. SMS with your geolocation close.

To work with labels will need:

1. Buy NFC-tags (e.g., labels, NTAG213 or NTAG215 AliExpress).
2. Install a programming application: NFC Tools, Trigger or Automate.
3. Put the action on the label.

Example of setting up a tag to start the navigator in the car:

1. Open NFC Tools and select Write.
2. Click Add Add Record → Launch the application.
3. Select Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator.
4. Hold the phone to the record label.
5. Place a tag in the car (for example, on the phone holder).

Now, when you tag Xiaomi, the navigator will start automatically, and you can also set up the tags for your home, work or gym.

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NFC-The tags consume minimal power and operate without a connection to the network. One tag can store up to 10 different instructions (depending on the chip model).

⚠️ Note: Some low-quality labels may wear off over time (especially when exposed to magnetic fields). For important scenarios, use overwriting-protected labels (e.g., smear-proof labels, NTAG216).

Troubleshooting: Why NFC is Not Working

If NFC on your Xiaomi suddenly stopped working, the reasons could be both software and hardware.

If nothing helps, try:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version.
2. Reset your phone settings (pre-backup!).
3. Check your phone for physical damage to the NFC antenna (for example, after a fall).

Critical: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 10T), NFC may conflict with wireless charging. If you use a wireless charger, try turning it off before using NFC.

Hidden NFC Features on Xiaomi

In addition to the standard features, NFC on Xiaomi hides a few little-known chips:

• 🔐 Keycard emulation: You can record access to an intercom or office door on your phone (Mifare Classic support is required). NFC Card Emulator.
• 🎮 Connecting game controllers: some gamepads (e.g, 8BitDo) maintain connection through NFC fast-pair.
• 📦 Quick Smart Home Configuration: Xiaomi Mi Home devices (such as light bulbs or sensors) can be connected to your phone with a single touch.
• 🚗 Car keys: on some cars (for example, Tesla Model 3) Xiaomi can be used as a key to unlock doors.

To emulate key cards will require:

1. Find out the type of chip your card has (usually EM-Marin or MiFare).
2. Download the appropriate application (e.g. MiFare Classic Tool).
3. Read the data from the original card and write them to the phone.

⚠️ Note: Emulation of key cards may be illegal in some countries (e.g. if used to access other people's premises.

To connect Mi Home devices via NFC:

1. Install the Mi Home app.
2. Add a new device and select Connect via NFC.
3. Hold the phone to the tag on the device (usually located on the back).

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Xiaomi