How to accurately determine the presence of NFC in the smartphone Xiaomi: from Redmi to POCO

Why Xiaomi needs NFC and how not to confuse it with other technologies

You just bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or a POCO X5 Pro, but there's not a word about NFC in the store specs? Or maybe you have an old Mi 9T and suddenly realized you've never checked this feature? The situation is familiar to many: manufacturers often keep silent about the presence of a short-range contactless chip, especially in budget models. Meanwhile, without NFC, you can't link a bank card to Google Pay, use a subway pass or quickly share files via Mi Share.

The problem is, NFC It's easy to confuse with other technologies, for example, many people mistakenly think that if a phone supports Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi Direct, contactless payment should work, too, or that having an antenna for a radio automatically means being there. NFC-It's not like that: NFC — A separate hardware module that may not be available even in flagship models in some regions (e.g., in the Chinese versions of Xiaomi, it is often saved on this chip.

Method 1: Checking through MIUI settings is the fastest method

If your Xiaomi is running on the MIUI shell (version 10 and higher), then NFC can be determined in 30 seconds.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Connect and Sharing (or Wireless Networks in older versions).
3. Scroll down and find the NFC or Contactless Payments option.

If there's no such item, it's not a sentence yet! In some models (e.g. Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), NFC can be hidden in the submenus.

• 🔍 In the search box settings enter «NFC» — The system will show all related options.
• 📱 Go to Additional Settings → More (in some firmware).
• 💳 Check out the Google Pay or Mi Pay section if you NFC There will be a suggestion to add a map.

Check out the MIUI version (update to the latest version)

Make sure the phone is not Chinese (e.g. Mi 11 without global firmware)

Reset the device

Try resetting your network settings (Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth)

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Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Lite), NFC can be disabled by default. If you find a clause in the settings, but it is inactive, just move the slider to the right and wait for activation (it may take 10-15 seconds to initialize the chip).

Method 2: Checking by phone model - compatibility table

If you don't have anything in the settings, don't be too upset. Your model may just support NFC, but the feature is disabled at the software level. Below is the current compatibility table for popular Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (data for 2026):

How do you use a table? Find your model and check the column «NFC». If you should «✅ Yes, but there is no function in the settings - the problem is the firmware (see the section on firmware «❌ No – there is no chip physically and it is impossible to add it.

Yeah, it works no problem.

Yeah, but sometimes it bugs.

No, but the model should support

I don't need this function.

I don't know, that's why I'm looking for information.-->

⚠️ Attention: Careful with Chinese versions! for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 for China (model with index) M2011K2C) lacking NFC, while the global version (M2011K2G) — Refine the model index in Settings → The phone. → Model.

Method 3: Test applications – how to test NFC software

If you don't trust settings or tables, you can use third-party utilities that not only show the chip's presence, but also test it.

• 📲 NFC Tools (Play Market) – shows the type of chip, supported protocols (ISO 14443, ISO 15693) and allows you to write tags.
• 💳 Google Pay – if you add a card, you get an error “The device does not support contactless payments”, then NFC either not available or blocked.
• 🔧 CPU-Z — The Sensors section sometimes displays information about NFC-Module (not working on all models).

Instructions for checking through NFC Tools:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and press Check NFC.
3. If an NFC message comes up, it's available, and if the NFC isn't found, it's not there, or it's disabled.

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If NFC Tools shows a chip but Google Pay doesn’t work, check the region of your Google account. Some banks (like Sberbank) block payments on devices with unofficial firmware.

⚠️ Note: On phones with root rights or custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) NFC may be determined by applications but not work with payment systems due to security breaches HCE (Host Card Emulation).

Method 4: Physical Testing – Where to Find Yourself NFC-Xiaomi antenna

If you're not afraid to take your phone apart or even take your case off, you can try to find the NFC antenna visually. Most Xiaomi models have it located:

• 📱 In the upper part of the back cover (under the camera) - typical for the Redmi Note and POCO.
• 🔄 Next to wireless charging (if any) – for example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro.
• 📶 Under the removable cover (in older models like Redmi) 4X).

How to check:

1. Remove the case and light the flashlight on the back cover at an angle.
2. Find a fine metal mesh or circuit (usually 2×4 cm in size).
3. If the antenna is there, but the NFC is not working, the plume may have departed (relevant after falls or repairs).

💡 Advice: If you plan to use NFC For payment, check the location of the antenna before buying a case. Metal or too thick covers can shield the signal!

Method 5: IMEI and serial number check for advanced users

Each Xiaomi smartphone has unique identifiers, which you can find out the complete set.

1. Find your phone’s IMEI: Enter in the dialer *#06#. Or look at Settings → About Phone → General information.

IMEI.info

NFC

Near Field Communication

Alternative method: Use Kimovil service. Enter a phone model (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) and select your modification (by index, see table). NFC.

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IMEI-If the check is only for official devices, if the phone is bought in a gray way or stitched informally, the data may not be available.

⚠️ Note: Some scammers are forging IMEI On Chinese clones of Xiaomi (for example, on the fake Redmi Note 10 Pro), if the site shows a non-existent model, your phone may be fake.

Method 6: Verification through engineering menu and firmware

If all the previous methods failed, but you are sure that your model should have NFC (for example, on a table), the problem may lie in the firmware.

1. Check through the engineering menu: Enter ##4636##. Select Phone Information. Scroll down and find NFC — if the field is empty, the chip is disabled at the core level.

MIUI Update:

• Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
• If you have an update, install it (sometimes NFC is activated after the update).
• Flashing (for power users): fastboot flash nfc nfc.img fastboot reboot ⚠️ It's risky! Wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick. Use only official images from Xiaomi's website.

Signs of NFC blocking software:

• 🔄 There's a clause in the settings. NFC, But when it's turned on, it makes a mistake.
• 📱 Apps like Google Pay say “Device not certified».
• 🔧 In system logs (Settings) → System system → Logs) have records of NfcService crashes.

Frequent Mistakes and Myths About NFC in Xiaomi

There are many misconceptions surrounding NFC that prevent proper diagnosis.

1. Myth 1: If your phone supports Google Pay, it means NFC eat». 🔹 Google Pay: Google Pay can work through HCE (virtual emulation of the card, but it still requires a physical NFC-It's not a chip without it.
2. Myth 2: «NFC can be added in software». 🔹 Reality: NFC — This is a hardware module. If it's not on the board, no firmware will help. NFC-reader USB-C, But they don't support payments.
3. Myth 3: In China, all Xiaomi goes without NFC». 🔹 Reality: This is only true for budget models (e.g. Redmi). 9A). Flagships like Xiaomi 14 have NFC even in Chinese versions.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi on AliExpress or in an unofficial store, there is a good chance of running into a “cut-off” version. POCO X3 NFC Supports contactless payments, but in fact it will be a model POCO X3 without NFC (The only difference is the marking of the box! Always check the table!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions