What is NFC in Xiaomi smartphones and why you need it
NFC (Near Field Communication) is no longer exotic โ itโs now embedded in 90% of Xiaomi smartphones, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But many users still donโt know how to set up the module and where to use it. NFC allows you not only to pay for your smartphone, but also automate routine tasks, share data with other devices and even manage your smart home โ it all depends on what version of MIUI you use and what features your model supports.
In this article, we will not only discuss the basic settings. NFC Xiaomi, but also advanced scenarios: from linking bank cards to creating automated tasks using the help of the NFC-We'll focus on the nuances of how the technology works on different versions of the firmware (MIUI 14 vs MIUI 15) and models - for example, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T Pro have different security settings for contactless payments.
What Xiaomi models support NFC?
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with NFC-In budget lines (Redmi A, POCO M is often absent, while in the mid-range and premium segments (Redmi Note 12 Pro).+, Xiaomi 13, Mix Fold 3, it's become the standard. To avoid guessing, check the specifications of your model on the official website or use the quick way:
- ๐ Open the Settings. โ The phone. โ Complete specifications and find the line "NFC".
- ๐ฑ Enter the request in the search for settings "NFC" โ If there is a module, the system will show the corresponding section.
- ๐ The device box usually has a sticker with a list of supported technologies (look for the logo). NFC).
If your smartphone does not support you NFC, But you need this feature critically, consider buying an external one. NFC-Adapters (e.g., Xiaomi) NFC Tag or universal USB-C However, please note that these devices do not support contactless payments due to security limitations.
How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions
NFC activation on Xiaomi takes less than a minute, but the path to settings may vary depending on the version of MIUI. Below is the universal guide for MIUI 12-15 firmware:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to the Connections and Sharing section (in MIUI 15 may be called wireless networks).
- Slip on NFC.
- Activate the slider Use NFC.
- (Optional) Enable Android Beam (for file transfer) or Default Payments (for contactless transactions).
After turning on the top notification bar, an NFC icon (a stylized letter "N") will appear. If it is not, try restarting your phone or updating your firmware. Some models (POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) require additional antenna tuning in the engineering menu, as we will discuss below.
Is the module enabled in the settings?
Does the NFC icon appear in the notification panel?
Does the phone recognize? NFC-Tags (try bringing them to the payment terminal)?
Does the data transfer via Android Beam work (if enabled)?
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Configure contactless payments via NFC
The main use of NFC is to pay for purchases with a smartphone, which requires linking your bank card to Google Pay (formerly Google Wallet) or Mi Pay (not available in all countries), and consider both options.
Method 1: Google Pay (recommended)
Itโs a one-stop solution that works on all Xiaomi with NFC and the latest version of Google Play Services:
- Download Google Pay from the Play Market.
- Open the app and click Add the card.
- Scan the map or enter the data manually.
- Confirm the binding via SMS or banking application.
- Install Google Pay as the default payment app in NFC settings.
Method 2: Mi Pay (for China and some regions)
Mi Pay is integrated into MIUI firmware, but only works with supported banks (mostly Chinese).
- Open the Settings โ NFC โ Mi Pay.
- Create. PIN-payment-code.
- Add the card following the instructions (confirmation through the bank will be required).
1. Reboot the smartphone.
2. make sure the screen is unlocked at the time of payment.
3. check if the power saving mode is turned on (it can turn off) NFC).-->
Important: Never store for security PIN-Payment system codes in notes or screenshots on your phone. Use a password manager (e.g. Xiaomi Password Manager or Bitwarden).
Use of the NFC-tags
NFC-Labels are little chips that can be programmed to do certain things when you touch a smartphone:
- ๐ Automatic Bluetooth activation in the car when touching the tag on the dashboard.
- ๐ Switching to Do Not Disturb and reducing the brightness of the screen on the night table.
- ๐ถ Connecting to the guest network Wi-Fi when touching a tag on a table in a cafe.
To work with tags, you will need the NFC Tools application (free version available in the Play Market).
- Buy it. NFC-tags (e.g., Xiaomi) NFC Sticker or universal NTAG213/215/216).
- Open NFC Tools and select Write.
- Add an action (e.g. Wi-Fi โ Connect to the network).
- Hold the phone to the record label.
What labels are better to buy?
Advanced users can use Tasker in conjunction with NFC Tools to create complex automation, for example, touching a label on the desktop can simultaneously:
- Open a corporate messenger.
- Activate vibration mode.
- Start a task list in Xiaomi Notes.
Transfer of files and data via NFC (Android Beam)
Android Beam allows you to share contacts, photos, links and even small files between two NFC devices. Despite the fact that Google has officially removed this feature from Android 10, on Xiaomi it is often saved in custom MIUI firmware.
- Turn on NFC on both devices.
- Activate Android Beam in NFC settings.
- Open the file or contact you want to send.
- Combine the back panels of phones (NFC antennas are usually located at the top).
- Wait for the beep and confirm the transmission on both devices.
Limitations of Android Beam:
- ๐ฑ It only works between Android devices.
- ๐ The maximum file size is about 1 MB (for large files, use Wi-Fi Direct).
- โก Transfer speed is lower than Bluetooth 5.0.
Solving NFC Problems on Xiaomi
If NFC is not working or is not working, the reasons can be both software and hardware.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| NFC is not included | Outdated firmware | Update MIUI through Settings โ System Update |
| Payments don't pass | Conflict with the banking application | Delete the Google Pay cache (Settings โ Apps โ Google Pay โ Memory) |
| Phone doesn't see a mark. | Weak antenna signal | Try to bring the phone to the tag from a different angle or remove the case |
| Android Beam is not working. | Function disabled in firmware | Use alternative transmission methods (Wi-Fi Direct, Xiaomi Share) |
If the problem is not solved, check the integrity of the NFC antenna.
- Remove the cover and back cover (if it is removable).
- Inspect the area around the camera โ there is usually an antenna (a thin metal track).
- If you see damage, contact the service center.
โ ๏ธ Please note: Do not attempt to repair the antenna yourself. NFC โ Xiaomi's official service centers are replacing the module NFC along with the motherboard, so repairs can be expensive.
Hidden NFC Features on Xiaomi (for Power Users)
In addition to standard features, NFC on Xiaomi can be used for non-obvious tasks.
- ๐ Emulation of key cards: With the help of the application NFC Card Emulator can be recorded to the phone data from the intercom or pass (if they are not protected by dynamic encryption).
- ๐ฎ Gaming controllers: Some gamepads (e.g, 8BitDo) Support the connection through NFC fast-sync.
- ๐ฆ Smart home management: Tags NFC You can use it to run scripts in Mi Home (for example, touching the tag at the door turns on lights and air conditioning).
For emulation of access cards:
- Download NFC Card Emulator and Tasker.
- Scan the original map through NFC Tools (Read function).
- Save the dump to the file.
- Load the dump into the emulator and activate the emulation mode.
โ ๏ธ Note: Emulating certain types of cards (e.g., bank or transport) may be illegal in your country.
On models with MIUI 15, an experimental NFC function in the background has been introduced, which allows the smartphone to scan tags even with the screen locked, to activate it:
- Turn on NFC in the settings.
- Go to the NFC Additional Settings.
- Activate the option to Allow scanning when the screen is locked.