How to turn Android Beam on Xiaomi 9C: step-by-step instructions

Modern smartphones offer many ways to share data, but NFC technology remains one of the most convenient for fast file transfer and pairing devices. Owners of the popular budget model Xiaomi Redmi 9C often wonder how to activate the Android Beam feature, which allows you to share content with a simple touch. This is especially true when there is no cable or stable Internet at hand to use cloud storage.

However, the process of enabling this feature on the MIUI shell has its own nuances that can be confusing to an inexperienced user. Security and energy saving sometimes hides the necessary switches or requires additional steps to work correctly module. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step necessary to set up wireless data transmission on your device.

It’s worth noting that the success of the operation depends not only on the settings, but also on the version of the operating system installed on the smartphone. Google is gradually abandoning native support for Beam in favor of more modern protocols such as Nearby Share, but on many devices with Android 10 and below (the basic version for 9C), the classic method still works. Let’s look at how to prepare your gadget for work.

Compatibility check and device preparation

Before you look for the cherished switch, you need to make sure that your device physically supports the technology of short-range contactless communication. Xiaomi Redmi 9C model is equipped with an NFC module, but its availability depends on the specific modification and the region for which the smartphone was released. If your device does not have the appropriate chip, software activate the function will not work, since there is no hardware base.

To start with, check for the module in your system settings. Go to the device information menu and look for NFC. Also, the visual indicator is often the logo on the back of the case, although in modern models, manufacturers can omit the marking. The absence of a physical module makes it impossible to use any services associated with RF identification.

⚠️ Note: If the settings menu is completely missing the item associated with NFC, Even after searching, it’s likely your version of Redmi. 9C It doesn't have a built-in chip, and trying to install third-party drivers is useless, and it can lead to system instability.

Once you have a hardware part, you need to check the operating system version. Android Beam was eliminated in Android 11, so if your phone has already received an update to a newer version of the software, you can't turn it on by standard means, in which case the system will suggest using an alternative. Android 10 or lower is necessary for the classic Beam to work.

It is also important that the screens of both devices are unlocked at the time of transfer. Android security requires action confirmation to prevent unauthorized data sharing. Make sure that both smartphones have a screen on and open the app that you plan to share content from, whether it is a gallery, contacts or a browser.

Activation of the NFC module in the system

The first and most important step is to turn on the radio module itself. Without active radio, any attempt to configure data transmission is doomed to failure. In the MIUI shell, access to this parameter can be located in different places depending on the firmware version (Global, EU or China), most often the quickest way is the use of a quick access panel.

Swipe from top to bottom to open the notification curtain and control center. Find an icon that says NFC. If you don't see it in the first row, swipe the full list of switches by swiping to the side or pressing the edit button. Pressing the icon activates the module, as signaled by the corresponding notification in the status bar.

If you can't find the switch through the curtain, you should use deep system settings. The path may vary, but the standard algorithm is as follows: go to Settings → Connection and Sharing. This section contains the main switch for turning on the technology. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be simply called Wireless Networks.

• 📱 Open the notification curtain with a swipe from top to bottom.
• 🔍 Find the badge. NFC and press it.
• ⚙️ Alternatively: Go to Settings → Connection and sharing.
• ✅ Make sure the slider is activated and lit in blue.

Once the module is enabled, the phone may suggest setting up additional options, such as selecting the default application for emulation of cards. For the purposes of transferring files via Beam, this is not critical, but it is better to choose the option "HCE Elements" or leave the choice to the system, which will ensure the correct operation of all services using the chip.

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For fast NFC activation, add a switch widget to your desktop, which will enable the module to be turned on with one touch, without diving into the settings menu every time.

Setup of Android Beam function

Once the radio is up, you need to activate the data exchange function itself. Unlike older versions of Android, where this item was always in plain sight, in MIUI it sometimes hides in the submenu. Go to the same menu where you turned on NFC (Connect and Sharing), and find Android Beam.

Click the switch opposite the function name. The system will issue a warning that the function requires location permission and Bluetooth to operate. This is a standard protocol requirement, as it uses these components for handshake processes before sending large amounts of data over Bluetooth.

The important thing is to set up transmission behaviors, and some firmware versions have menus where you can choose which apps have priority or permission to use Beam. Make sure that the Gallery, Contacts and Browser have permission to "Always Ask" or "Allow" to allow, which ensures that when you bring your phones up, you see a confirmation request rather than an automatic reset or error.

⚠️ Note: Android Beam only works when the screens of both devices are unlocked. If the phone is locked, no transmission will be initiated, even if all settings are correct.

Now that the software is set up, you can go to practical use. The mechanics of the process are simple: you bring the backs of your smartphones to each other 1-2 centimeters apart, and when you successfully connect, the device vibrates, and a thumbnail of the transmitted file will appear on the screen with a suggestion to send it.

Process of transferring files between devices

Consider a practical example of a photo transfer, as this is the most common use case: Open the Gallery on your Xiaomi Redmi 9C and select the image you want. Don't open it in full-screen editing mode, stay in thumbnail viewing mode or choose one photo to open.

Hold the back of your smartphone (at the top where the NFC module is located) to the back of the receiving device. Keep the phones parallel to each other, not pressing tightly, but not putting away far. The distance should be minimal, almost touching. At this point, the Xiaomi 9C will emit a characteristic sound and a light vibration.

A pop-up window will appear on the screen with a file preview and a "Touch to Transfer" button. Click on the preview. Then the pairing process will begin over Bluetooth, and the file will be sent. Transfer speed depends on the file size and Bluetooth version, but for photos and contacts, it happens almost instantly.

If you're transferring a web page from Chrome, the process is similar. Open the page, bring up your phones, and the host screen will prompt you to open the link. It is extremely convenient for fast exchange of Wi-Fi contacts or interesting articles without the need to type or scan. QR-code.

Compatibility table and alternatives

Not all devices understand each other equally well. Below is a table showing the compatibility of the Xiaomi Redmi 9C with other gadgets when using Android Beam and alternative methods.

As you can see from the table, the universal standard for a long time remained Android Beam, but the Xiaomi ecosystem offers its Mi Share protocol, which is much faster and does not require constant confirmation for devices of the same brand.

Android Beam uses NFC only for handshakes, and the data itself is transmitted via Bluetooth, which explains why large files can take time despite instant connections. NFC is only a digital key that opens the channel.

Possible problems and solutions

Despite the simplicity of the technology, users can face a number of challenges, and one of the common problems is that they don't respond when they're lifting their phones, so the first thing you do is check if they're wearing a too thick case with metal inserts, and the metal shields the signal, and the metal will be able to see if they're wearing a too thick case. NFC-The antenna cannot read the label of another device.

Another common mistake is application conflict: If you have multiple NFC software installed on your phone (such as different card emulators or payment systems), the system may not know which service to run for Beam. Try temporarily disabling or removing unnecessary applications, leaving only system services.

• 🔋 Check the battery level: in energy saving mode NFC can be automatically switched off.
• 📶 Make sure Bluetooth is on as it is required for data transfer.
• 🔄 Restart both smartphones if the connection is not established for a long time.
• 📱 Remove the protective case if it contains metal elements or magnets.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to transfer executable files (.apk) of unknown origin through Beam. Although the risk is minimal, always check the source of the file before installing it on your device.

It's also worth mentioning that new MIUI updates can either be hidden or replaced. If you upgrade to Android 11 or higher, Android Beam will simply not be on the menu, in which case the system will automatically prompt you to use Nearby Share. This is not a bug, but a planned replacement of the outdated protocol with a more modern and secure analogue from Google.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Android Beam is a handy feature for fast contacts and links, but for large amounts of data on Xiaomi 9C, it is more efficient to use Mi Share or cable connection.