Xiaomi Redmi 8T is one of the few budget smartphones of 2019 to receive NFC module with support for contactless payments. However, many owners face problems when trying to tie a card: the system does not see the chip, the bank is not supported, or payments are broken at the checkout. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to configure NFC on Redmi 8T, from checking hardware support to solving typical errors.
Important: While Redmi 8T officially supports Google Pay and Mi Pay, some Russian banks are blocking card binding to phones without HCE (Host Card Emulation) certification, we will tell you how to circumvent these restrictions and what alternative applications to use if standard methods do not work.
1.Verify NFC support on Xiaomi Redmi 8T
Before you tie your card, make sure your Redmi 8T is equipped with an NFC module at all. The fact is that there are regional versions of the smartphone (for example, for India or China) where the chip could be removed for cheaper use.
How to check:
- 📱 Physical inspection: There should be a sign on the back next to the Xiaomi logo NFC (stylized letter "N" with waves).
- 🔍 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Connected devices → NFC. If there is no point, there is no chip.
- 📦 On the box: on the sticker with characteristics should be marked NFC: Yes.
If NFC There's no card, you can't tie it to a card, either a bank card or a transport card, and then you just have to buy an external card. NFC-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) NFC Tag), but it works only for reading tags, not for payments.
2. Activation of NFC and selection of payment service
The Redmi 8T has two main ways to tie the card:
- Google Pay (formerly Android Pay) is a universal service for Visa/Mastercard and some banks with Mir.
- Mi Pay is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi, working with a limited list of banks (mostly Chinese).
Google Pay is more relevant for Russia and the CIS, since Mi Pay does not officially support local banks. NFC:
- Open Settings → Connected Devices → NFC.
- Move the slider to the on position.
- Activate Contactless Payments (if any).
- Select Google Pay as the default app.
☑️ Preparation for map binding
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) NFC If the chip is automatically shut down after activation, go back to the official system. MIUI.
3. Step-by-step instructions: linking a bank card through Google Pay
The process of adding a card to Google Pay on Redmi 8T is standard, but there are nuances for Russian banks.
- Install Google Pay from Google Play (if not installed).
- Open the app and click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
- Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually: 💳 Card number (16 digits). 📅 Duration (month/year). 🔐 CVC-code (3 digits on the back).
Confirm by SMS.
Accept the terms.
If the error "This card is not supported" occurs during the confirmation stage, the reasons may be as follows:
- 🚫 The bank does not work with Google Pay (relevant for some regional banks).
- 📵 The card is not tied to the phone number (requires an update in the bank).
- 🔄 An outdated version MIUI (Update your smartphone to the latest firmware).
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If a bank blocks a binding, try adding a card through the bank’s own app (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff), and many banks support exporting virtual cards to Google Pay directly from their software.
4. Alternative methods: Mi Pay and other applications
Mi Pay on Redmi 8T is limited, but can be useful for transport cards (for example, Troika or Arrow).
- Install Mi Pay from Google Play.
- Open the application and select the Transport Card.
- Hover your phone over a physical card (e.g., a Troika) – the data is automatically counted.
- Confirm the binding via SMS (if required).
For bank cards Mi Pay in Russia is almost useless, but there are alternatives:
| Annex | Supported banks | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sberbank Online | Sberbank | A virtual card for Google Pay is created directly in the bank application. |
| Tinkoff | Tinkoff Bank | Support for Mir and contactless payments without commission. |
| VK Pay | Any banks. | Works through QR-codes, but requires a card to be linked to a VC account. |
| Apple Pay (via emulator) | Limitedly. | It requires root rights and is unstable, but some users use it for Mir. |
⚠️ Note: When using third-party payment systems (e.g, VK Pay or Samsung Pay - Redmi 8T It can give you the error "Device not certified." HCE-Xiaomi certification for the Russian market. the solution to update the Google Services Framework via APKMirror.
5. Set-up of transport cards (Troika, Strelka, Kiwi)
For transport cards on Redmi 8T suitable:
- 🚇 Mi Pay – supports Troika, Strelka, Kivi Card (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan).
- 📱 Metro Moscow - official app for Troika (requires) NFC Android 8+).
- 🚌 Transport card (from Mosgortrans) - to replenish the balance.
Instructions for the Troika:
- Install the Metro Moscow app.
- Register and select Link the card.
- Put Redmi 8T to the physical Troika, and the data is automatically counted.
- Confirm the binding via SMS (the code will come to the number specified in the personal account).
On Redmi 8T with firmware below MIUI 12, transport cards may not be read due to an outdated NFC stack. Update your smartphone via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
6. Solving Typical Errors and NFC Problems
If the card is not tied or payments do not pass, check:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "NFC offline." | The chip is turned off in the settings or broken. | Check the settings → NFC or restart the phone. |
| "Device not certified" | The bank is blocking uncertified phones. | Update Google Services or use the bank app. |
| "Card is not supported" | The bank does not work with Google Pay. | Try Mi Pay or a virtual card. |
| "Reading Mistake" at the checkout | Weak NFC signal or interference. | Bring the phone to the terminal by the other side (the NFC chip is closer to the top of the case). |
If the problem is not solved:
- 🔄 Reset the settings. NFC: Settings → Annexes → All applications → NFC → Warehouse → Clear the data.
- 📱 Check the case: Metal or thick covers can block the signal.
- 🔧 Reverse to factory firmware if you used custom ROM.
What if the NFC stopped working after the upgrade?
7 Security: How to Protect Payments Through NFC
Contactless payments are convenient, but they require caution.
- 🔒 Set up a screen lock: PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint without it, payments up to 1,000₽ may occur without confirmation.
- 📵 Turn it off. NFC, When not used: Quick settings → NFC.
- 🛡️ Don’t store all the cards in one app: split them between Google Pay and banking apps.
- 🔍 Check your transaction history once a week through your mobile bank.
On the Redmi. 8T There is a vulnerability: when the screen is unlocked, scammers can write off up to 1000₽ from the map, just by bringing the phone to the terminal, to avoid that:
- Enable fingerprint payment confirmation in Google Pay: Settings → Security → Confirmation of purchases.
- Set a limit on contactless payments in the bank’s application (e.g. 500).₽ surgery).
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Never hand over your Redmi 8T with the NFC enabled to an outsider, even for a short time.Crackers can write off money in seconds by bringing the phone to a hidden terminal.