Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones with support for NFC, but many owners are not even aware of the hidden capabilities of this module. If you think that NFC is only for contactless payments, you miss half the functionality! In this article, we will analyze how to activate the chip, what use cases are available on the Poco M3 (including rare chips like automation through tags), and why the module sometimes refuses to work – with specific ways to solve problems.
To be clear, the NFC in Poco M3 supports all standard protocols (ISO 14443, NDEF), but there are some firmware nuances. For example, on the global version of MIUI 12.5, the chip is more stable than on custom builds. We tested all the features on current software (2026) and collected checklists for quick customization. And if you've never used NFC, don't worry: below is a section "from scratch" with step-by-step screenshots.
What is NFC in a smartphone and why it is needed in the Poco M3
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a short-range wireless technology (up to 10 cm) that allows you to exchange data between devices or read information from tags. In the Xiaomi Poco M3, the NFC chip is built into the top of the body (near the main camera) and operates at 13.56 MHz.
Main use cases:
- 🔄 File transfer between smartphones (Android Beam is outdated, but there are alternatives like Xiaomi Quick Share).
Important: the Poco M3 does not support UWB (Ultra-Wideband), so you will have to use other devices to accurately position (for example, in Apple AirTag smart locks), but NFC is more energy efficient here: the chip consumes only ~15 mA in active mode, which is not critical for a 6000 mAh battery.
How to turn on NFC on Xiaomi Poco M3: step-by-step instructions
By default, NFC is turned off to save power.
- Open Settings → Connection and Sharing.
- Slip to NFC (may be in the Additional section on some firmware).
- Transfer the NFC slider to the On position.
- Optionally: Enable Android Beam (an outdated feature, but sometimes useful for compatibility).
If the NFC item is not on the menu, check:
- 🔍 Firmware version: on MIUI 11 and below NFC It could have been turned off at the core level. MIUI 12.5+.
- 🌍 Firmware region: on Chinese versions (China) ROM) NFC The solution is to go to Global or EEA.
- 🛠️ Hardware damage: if the chip is physically damaged (for example, after a fall), NFC will not be determined by the system.
Make sure that NFC is enabled in the settings
Check the MIUI version (should be 12.5 or later)
Install a test application (e.g. NFC Tools)
Bring the phone to a tag or another NFC-device (distance) < 5cm)
Try to pay contactlessly in the store-->
Attention: Poco M3 firmware V12.5.3.0.RJFMIXM (2023) There was a bug that caused NFC It was shut down after the reboot. So the solution is to upgrade to V12.5.5.0 or newer.
Configure contactless payments via NFC
To pay by phone instead of a bank card:
- Install the bank application (for example, SberBank Online, Tinkoff, VTB Online) or Google Pay.
- Add the card to the app: In Google Pay: click Add Card → scan or enter data manually. In the banking app: find Contactless Payments or NFC.
Confirm the card via SMS or push notification.
- Unlock your phone (PIN, fingerprint or Face ID).
- Bring the top of the Poco M3 to the terminal (distance < 4 cm).
- Wait for a sound signal or vibration.
Tips for stable work:
- 📵 Do not cover the top of the phone with a case with metal inserts – this screens the signal.
- 🔋 If the payment does not pass, check the balance of the card or the limits of the bank (sometimes payments over 5,000 are blocked). ₽ without PIN-code).
- 🔄 If the terminal is not responding, try restarting the phone or turning on/off NFC.
💡
To speed up payment, add the Google Pay shortcut to the home screen. To do this, press the free space on the screen → Widgets → find Google Pay and drag it to a convenient place.
Using NFC for Automation: Labels and Triggers
One of the most useful features of NFC is to start actions by touching a tag, such as setting up:
- 🔊 Enabling silent mode when touching a label on the desktop.
- 🌐 Automatic connection to Wi-Fi at home.
- 📱 Launching the navigator (Yandex.Maps or Google Maps) in the car.
This will require:
- Buy NFC-tags (e.g., labels, NTAG213 or NTAG215 AliExpress for ~50 ₽/piece).
- Install Trigger or NFC Tools.
- Program the tag: 1. Open NFC Tools → Write → Add a record. 2. Select an action (e.g., "Wi-Fi" → specify SSID and password). 3. Save the task and hold the phone to the record label.
Example of settings for Poco M3:
| Action. | Annex | nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Turn on Bluetooth in the car | Trigger | Requires a tag with memory ≥137 bytes |
| Open Spotify with a playlist | NFC Tools | You need to specify the direct URL of the playlist. |
| Activate the "Do Not Disturb" mode | Automate | It only works on MIUI 12.5+. |
How to check how much memory is left on the mark?
Transferring data between phones via NFC
Although Android Beam is officially removed from Android 10+, Poco M3 can transfer files in alternative ways:
- Install Xiaomi Quick Share (built into MIUI) or Send Anywhere.
- Activate NFC on both phones.
- Select a file (photo, contact, link) → Share → Quick Share.
- Combine the phones with the back covers (the NFC chip is on the top).
- Wait for the beep - the transmission will start automatically.
Limitations:
- 🚫 The maximum file size is 1 GB (but in practice it is better to transfer files up to 500 MB).
- ⚡ Transmission speed — ~400 KB/s (slower than Wi-Fi Direct, but more convenient for smaller files).
- 📱 Both phones should be supported NFC (iPhone only works by reading tags, but not by transferring files).
💡
To transmit contacts or links, you just need to touch your phone for 1-2 seconds, and it is better to send photos and videos over Wi-Fi Direct, which is faster and more reliable.
Solving NFC Problems on Xiaomi Poco M3
If NFC is not working, check these points:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| NFC is not included | Outdated firmware | Update MIUI to 12.5+ via Settings → About Phone → System Update |
| Payments don't pass | Conflict with magnetic case | Remove the case or use a thin silicone |
| Phone doesn't see a mark. | Chip weak signal. | Bring the tag to the top of the body (near the camera) |
| NFC shuts down on its own | Optimizing the battery | Add NFC Tools to exceptions: Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization |
If nothing helps, try resetting your network settings:
- Go to Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings.
- Select Network Reset (does not delete files!).
- Reboot your phone and check the NFC again.
⚠️ Note: On some Poco firmware M3 (for example, MIUI 13 for India ROM) NFC It may conflict with the function Dual applications. If payments do not work, disable duplicate messengers in Settings → Annexes → Dual annexes.
Hidden NFC features you didn’t know about
In addition to standard scenarios, the Poco M3 supports:
- 🔐 Emulation of key cards for intercoms (an application is required) NFC ReTag and original map for copying).
- 🎮 Connecting to game controllers (e.g, 8BitDo s NFC-chip).
- 📦 Reading data from smart packaging (e.g., the authenticity of drugs or alcohol).
- 🚗 Authorization in car sharing (in Delimobil or Yandex.Drive you can tie your phone instead of a card).
For emulation of keys:
- Download NFC ReTag from Google Play.
- Bring the original card to the phone and wait for the reading.
- Keep the dump in your phone's memory.
- If necessary, activate the emulation through the app widget.
⚠️ Note: Copying someone else's keys or passes may violate the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - unlawful access to information). Use this function only for personal cards (for example, a duplicate intercom phone).