How to Connect NFC to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Pictures and Tips

NFC (Near Field Communication) is no longer exotic — it’s now embedded in most Xiaomi smartphones, from budget Redmis to Xiaomi 14 flagships. It can pay for phone purchases, exchange contacts, connect smart devices, and even unlock doors. But many users are faced with the problem that there is a feature, and how to turn it on and use it is unclear.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate NFC on Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden settings, solving typical errors and tips for optimizing work. Particular attention will be paid to models where the chip is, but the function is hidden in the developer menu or disabled by default. If your phone does not support NFC, at the end of the article there is a list of compatible devices with the versions of the chips.

Before you go to the settings, make sure that your smartphone is really equipped with NFC-Even if the specifications on the site indicate the presence of a chip, some regional versions (for example, for India or China) can be shipped without it. → The phone. → Full specification or using third-party applications such as NFC Check.

1.How to check if there is NFC in your Xiaomi smartphone

Not all Xiaomi models support NFC, especially in the budget segment. For example, the Redmi 9A or POCO M3 do not have this module, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ or Xiaomi 12T are equipped with it by default.

• 📱 Method 1: See the specifications on the official Xiaomi website - in the section "Wireless networks" should be indicated NFC: Look at the regional version (Global/EU/China).
• 🔍 Method 2: Use the application CPU-Z (Sensors section, or NFC Tools – they will show the presence of the chip and its model (for example, the chip is used, NXP PN547).
• 🛠️ Method 3: Disassemble the phone (if you have experience) — NFC-antenna is usually located under the back cover next to the battery (metal plate with the inscription) NFC).

If neither method confirmed the module, but you're sure it should be (model specifications), maybe the chip is disabled at the software level, in which case the EU ROM firmware or unlocking the bootloader will help, but this is a topic for a separate article.

⚠️ Note: Some sellers indicate NFC It's especially common with gray suppliers in China, and check the reviews on forums before buying, 4PDA or Mi Community).

2. Standard way to enable NFC on Xiaomi (MIUI 12–14)

If your smartphone supports NFC, you can activate it in a few steps. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions).
3. Slip on the NFC item – if it is not, then the function is disabled at the firmware level.
4. Activate the NFC switch and select the mode of operation: Read only to scan tags, card to emulate bank cards (for example, Google Pay), P2P to exchange data between devices.

When you turn on the notification bar, you'll see an NFC icon (the letter "N" on a white background) if you don't, try rebooting your phone or upgrading your MIUI to the latest version.

Is NFC enabled in the settings?

Does the icon appear in the notification panel?

Phone responds to touch NFC-marker?

Applications (Google Pay, Mi Pay) define the module?-->

3. Hidden NFC settings: developer menu and engineering menu

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), the NFC function can be hidden even if the chip is physically present.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version - a notification will appear "You became a developer".
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section → For developers.
4. Find the NFC or Wireless option and activate it.

Setup Mi Pay (for China and some regions)

Mi Pay works primarily with Chinese banks, but it can be used in other countries as long as your bank supports UnionPay.

1. Open the Mi Pay app (pre-installed on Chinese firmware).
2. Link the card through scanning or manual input.
3. In NFC settings, select Mi Pay as the default app.

Important: To pay through NFC, the phone must be unlocked (the lock screen should not be); on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13), the Quick Pay function works - double pressing the power button activates the payment application.

5.Using NFC for data transfer and device management

Xiaomi’s NFC can be used for more than just payments, but here are some useful scenarios.

• 📱 Android Beam: Transfer contacts, links or files between smartphones. NFC On both devices, select a file and hold the phones back to each other.
• 🔑 Smart locks: Many electronic locks (such as the Mi Smart Door Lock) support unlocking through the lock. NFC. Add the key to the Mi Home app.
• 🎵 Connect speakers: Some Bluetooth speakers (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Speaker) can be paired via NFC — Just touch the tag on the body.
• 🚗 Car tags: With the help of NFC-stickers can automate actions in the car (enable Bluetooth, start the navigator).

For work with tags, we recommend the NFC Tools app (available on the Play Market).

• Read and write data on labels.
• Create tasks (e.g., turn on Wi-Fi when touching a tag).
• Emulate access cards (if supported by a chip).

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If NFC doesn’t work when you touch, try changing the position of the phone – the antenna can be shifted to the top or bottom of the body.

6. Solving Typical NFC Problems on Xiaomi

Even if NFC is enabled, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If neither of these methods worked, try resetting the network or performing a hard reset (backup data is a must!). The 4PDA forum has themes with patches for specific models, such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro or the POCO X3 NFC.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) NFC It may conflict with the Wi-Fi function 6E. If the payment does not pass, try to temporarily turn off Wi-Fi.

7. List of Xiaomi models with NFC support (2020–2026)

To avoid having to search for specs manually, we’ve compiled a current list of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with NFC support. Please note: even if the model is on the list, check out the regional version (for example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for India may not have NFC).

The full list can be found on Xiaomi’s official website in the specifications section of a particular model. If your phone isn’t in the table but you’re sure that NFC should be, check through CPU-Z or contact support.

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NFC in Xiaomi smartphones is most often absent in budget models (Redmi A series, Redmi 9/10 without the Pro console) and “gaming” devices (POCO X, Black Shark).

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Xiaomi