Having an NFC (Near Field Communication) module in a modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a marketing ploy and has become a de facto standard for comfortable use of the gadget. Owners of Xiaomi devices often wonder about the presence of this feature, since it allows not only to make contactless payments, but also to quickly exchange data or connect wireless headphones in a single touch. However, despite the ubiquity of the technology, not all models of the budget and mid-range segment are equipped with the necessary chip.
In this article, we will discuss in detail which Xiaomi supports NFC, and compile an up-to-date list of models, including sub-brands Redmi and POCO. You will learn how to independently check the presence of the module in the settings of your device, why this feature may not be available in some versions of smartphones and how to properly configure Google Pay or Mi Pay to use a smartphone as a means of payment. Understanding the technical nuances will help avoid mistakes when choosing a new gadget.
Chinese giant Xiaomi takes a differentiated approach to equipping its devices, so the availability of NFC depends on the price segment and the regional version of the firmware. If you are planning to buy a new device or want to understand the functionality of an existing one, this material will be a comprehensive guide. We have systematized data on all current series so that you can quickly find the information you need without unnecessary search.
How to check for NFC in your smartphone settings
Before you go to the model lists, make sure that the module is on your current device, as sometimes users just don't know where to look for the switch. The fastest way is to use the notification curtain: swipe from top to bottom and look for the NFC icon among the fast buttons. If the icon is not, it may be hidden in the second page of the menu or the function is software disabled by the manufacturer for a specific region.
A deeper check is done through the system settings menu, where you can find detailed information about the available wireless interfaces. To do this, go to Settings โ Connection and Sharing โ NFC. If you do not find such an item in the menu or the switch is missing, most likely, the hardware module in this model is not installed by the manufacturer.
- ๐ฑ Open the settings and enter the word in the search"NFC" โ This is the fastest way to find the module management menu.
- ๐ Check the back cover of the device: the presence of the "N" logo often (but not always) indicates the presence of an antenna.
- โ๏ธ Make sure the About Phone section includes the global firmware version, as the Chinese versions may have different menus.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Availability of logo NFC The back cover does not guarantee 100% of the module in your particular firmware version. In some cases (especially when flashing from the Chinese version to the global version), software support may be curtailed.
Also, consider that in some MIUI or HyperOS shells, the module management can be put into a separate application or hidden in advanced wireless network settings. If standard search methods failed, you can use third-party utilities from Google Play, such as NFC Check, which will accurately determine the presence of the chip at the hardware level.
Xiaomi flagship series with NFC module
When we talk about which Xiaomi supports NFC, we should mention the flagship lineups, where the presence of a chip is a must-have standard. All Xiaomi Mi series devices (including Mi 10, Mi 11, Mi 12, Mi 13 and Mi 14) and the new Xiaomi series (without the Mi console) are equipped with full-fledged modules for contactless communication, this applies to both the regular versions and models with the prefix Pro, Ultra and Lite.
Owners of these smartphones can not worry about compatibility with payment systems, although under the sanctions of the Russian Federation, the work of Google Pay may require additional manipulation or the use of alternative applications. The hardware in these devices is made at a high level, providing a stable signal even through thick protective cases.
Xiaomiโs Mix Fold foldable smartphones are also not without this important feature. The companyโs engineers integrate antennas so that the screen fold does not affect the quality of communication. When you buy a flagship, you automatically get a full package of wireless technologies, including support for emulation maps and tag writing.
Redmi Note smartphones and budget models
The budget and Redmi Note series are much more complex and require careful study of the specifications of a particular model. For a long time, Xiaomi has only equipped the older versions of the Note series with the NFC module (with the prefix Pro or Pro+), leaving the basic models without this feature.
For example, in the Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 11 series, NFC support was present in many versions, but in the Redmi Note 12 and 13 series, the situation became ambiguous: in some regions, the chip is present, in others it is not.
| Smartphone model | Presence of NFC | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | โ There is. | Full support |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro | โ There is. | Depends on the region. |
| Redmi Note 13 | โ No. | Most versions |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro | โ There is. | Global version |
| Redmi 12C / 13C | โ No. | Budget segment |
The Redmi A, Redmi C, and Redmi series budget models (e.g., Redmi 12, 13) are most often stripped of the NFC module to lower the final cost of the device. In this price segment, manufacturers sacrifice secondary features to offer the best price for basic features such as screen and processor. So if contactless payment is critical for you, you need to be extremely careful when choosing a budgetary.
Why are cheap models removing NFC?
POCO line: where to look for technology support
The POCO brand, which is a sub-brand of Xiaomi, is performance-oriented, so the approach to equipping NFC here is also differentiated. Flagship models of the POCO F series (for example, POCO F3, F4, F5, F6) traditionally feature an NFC module, as the target audience of these smartphones expects a full set of features.
In the mid-segment POCO X series, the situation varies from model to model. Older models, such as the POCO X3 NFC, directly in the title indicated the presence of a feature, while newer versions (such as the POCO X5 or X6) can have different modifications.
- ๐ Series POCO F: NFC There are almost all models, starting with F2 Pro.
- ๐ฎ Series POCO X: The presence of the function needs to be specified for each specific model (often in Pro versions).
- ๐ฐ Series POCO M and C: Most often, the module NFC It is not available because it is an ultra-budget segment.
It is worth noting that in some POCO models, the NFC antenna is aligned with the back cover or is located outside the box, which can affect usability: sometimes you have to put the phone to the terminal not with the bottom part, but with the center or upper zone of the housing.
โ ๏ธ Note: Donโt confuse the model POCO M3 Pro (c) NFC) common POCO M3 (without NFC). Despite the similar name and design, these are completely different devices with a different set of wireless modules.
The impact of the regional version on the module
One of the most important aspects that is often overlooked is the dependence of functionality on the regional version of the firmware. Xiaomi smartphones are released in versions for China (CN), Global (Global), European (EEA), Russian (RU) and other markets. Chinese versions of smartphones, even flagship ones, can sometimes have limitations or differ in the location of antennas compared to global counterparts.
This is especially acute for users buying devices on AliExpress or other platforms. Often sellers offer โGlobal Versionโ (packaged for the global market) and โGlobal ROMโ (Chinese phone with cross-stitched global firmware); in the second case, the NFC module may not work correctly or at all if the hardware of the Chinese version is different from the global one.
โ๏ธ Verification before purchase
In addition, some countries have their own frequency or security standards, which may affect the NFC software implementation. For example, certain label types or transport card types may be blocked in certain regions, so it is better to purchase an official version for your market to guarantee all features in your region.
Setting up and problems with payment
Once you have made sure which Xiaomi supports NFC and choose the right model, you need to configure the device correctly. In most cases, activation is automatic, but payment systems require a number of conditions to be met, first of all, the smartphone must be installed Google Pay (or its analogues, such as Mir Pay for users from Russia) and tied to a bank card.
For correct operation, it is necessary that the lock screen is included in the security settings (PIN-If you don't, you'll have a code, a pattern lock or a fingerprint, and if you don't, banking apps will refuse to do transactions, make sure that you have Settings in the Settings menu. โ Connection and sharing โ NFC Activated item "Payment through" NFCยป and the default application is selected.
Way to check: Settings โ Connection and Sharing โ NFC โ Contact payments โ Payment throughOften, users are faced with a situation where the phone sees the terminal, but the payment does not pass. This may be because the phone is trying to emulate the wrong card. In the NFC settings, you can choose the โDefault Payment Appโ and the specific card that will be used most often.
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If the phone stopped seeing the payment terminals, try turning off the NFC, restarting the smartphone, and turning on the module again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install an NFC module on Xiaomi if I donโt have one?
Does NFC work on Xiaomi without the internet?
Why is Google Pay not working on the Chinese version of Xiaomi?
Does the cover affect the NFC's performance?
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The presence of NFC in Xiaomi smartphones directly depends on the series of devices: flagships are always equipped, in the middle segment you need to check a specific model, and in public sector function is most often absent.