NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8: full instructions for setting up and using

Xiaomi Mi 8 is one of the first flagships of the company with support NFC-It's a chip that still works for contactless payments, subways, and data sharing, but many users have trouble configuring the module: the chip is not defined, Google Pay is not working, the subway card is not tied. In this article, we will discuss all the ways of activation. NFC Mi 8, including hidden settings MIUI, Avoiding regional restrictions and solving common mistakes.

It is important to understand that the Xiaomi Mi 8 came in several versions, and not all of them are equipped with NFC. For example, the version for the Chinese market (Mi 8 SE or Mi 8 Explorer Edition) may not support the function. Before setting up, check the presence of the chip: it is enough to open Settings → Connections and Sharing → NFC. If not, your model does not have a module.

In 2026, the relevance of NFC on the Mi 8 increased, with many banks no longer supporting magnetic cards, and payment systems like Mir Pay or SberPay requiring contactless technology. We tested instructions on MIUI 12.5-15 firmware (including global and European builds), so all the steps are tested in practice.

How to check for NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8

Before you set up a chip, make sure it is physically present on your device. Even if NFC is specified in the specs, some Mi 8 batches (especially Chinese ones) could be released without the module.

Methods of verification:

• 🔍 Visual inspection: there should be a logo on the back cover next to the camera NFC (On the Mi 8, it's on the left of the dual camera.
• 📱 Settings menu: go to Settings → Connections and Sharing. If the item NFC No, no chip.
• 🛠️ Technical information: enter the dialer code ##4636##, select Phone Information and check for a line NFC in the section Equipment.
• 📦 Box and documentation: on the original packaging of the Mi 8 with NFC should be appropriately labelled.

If the chip is missing, but it's listed in the specifications, you may have been a victim of fraud (this is what you've seen when buying from hand), in which case you can't add NFC software, you'll need to replace the motherboard.

Activation of NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8: step-by-step instructions

If there's a chip, you have to turn it on and configure it, and it depends on the version of MIUI, but the overall layout is the same.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (on some firmwares, Wireless Networks).
3. Slip on NFC.
4. Activate the NFC slider (should turn blue).
5. Below, select the mode of operation: 💳 Default Card – for contactless payments. 📱 Data sharing – to transfer files via Android Beam.

When activated, the status bar (top right corner of the screen) will show an NFC icon, a white letter "N" on a blue background. If the icon is not there, but the settings are saved, try restarting the phone.

Contactless payments (Google Pay, SberPay, Mir Pay)

The main application of NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8 is payment for purchases with a smartphone. To do this, you need to link a bank card to one of the services.

1. Download Google Pay from Google Play Market (if the app is not available, your firmware does not support Google Mobile Services, you will need to install manually).
2. Open the app and log in to your Google account.
3. Click Add Card → Credit or debit card.
4. Scan the map with the camera or enter the data manually.
5. Confirm the addition via SMS or banking application.
6. Once successfully pegged, set Google Pay as the default card in the NFC settings.

On the Xiaomi Mi 8 with MIUI 12.5 firmware and later, Host Card Emulation (HCE) is disabled by default. To make payments work, you need to manually activate it through the engineering menu: type ##3646633##, go to NFC → HCE and turn on the option.

Use of NFC for travel (Metro, Troika, Strelka)

With the Mi 8, you can link virtual tickets for the subway, buses or trains. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is Troika and Strelka, in other regions - local analogues.

1. Download the official application of the transport card (for example, My ticket for Moscow or Strelka for Peter).
2. Register and log in to your account.
3. In the Maps section, select Add a virtual card.
4. Bring your phone to the recharge terminal (if you need to transfer the balance from the physical card).
5. Activate the virtual card as the default card in the NFC settings.

Frequent problems and solutions:

• 🚇 The terminal does not read the map: check what is in the settings NFC Default Card mode selected, not Data Exchange.
• 💰 Balance is not carried over: some terminals do not support virtual cards.
• 📵 The app can't see NFC: refresh MIUI until the latest version or reinstall the travel app.

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If the virtual Troika doesn't work on the turnstile, try disabling Quick Fingerprint Unlock in the security settings. Some terminals conflict with the fingerprint sensor.

Transfer of data via NFC (Android Beam)

NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8 supports file sharing, contacts and links with other devices via Android Beam technology.The feature is convenient for fast transfer of small data (up to 1 MB), but only works between Android devices with NFC enabled.

How to transfer the file:

1. Activate NFC on both devices.
2. Open the file (photo, contact, web page) you want to send.
3. Put the back panels of the phones (chips to each other).
4. On the screen will appear a notification Touch to pass - tap on it.
5. Wait for the transmission to be completed (the sound signal will confirm the success).

Limitations:

• 📎 Maximum file size: 1MB (for larger files, use Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📱 Devices must be unlocked (on a locked screen, Android Beam does not work).
• 🔋 Transmission consumes more power than Bluetooth, so it’s better to use alternatives for large data volumes.

Solving NFC Problems on Xiaomi Mi 8

If NFC is not turned on, does not read cards or is unstable, use this table for diagnosis:

If the problem is not resolved, try resetting the NFC settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the NFC in the list and select Warehouse.
3. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Reboot the phone.

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If the NFC stopped working after resetting, check the integrity of the module antenna. On the Mi 8, it is located under the back cover and can damage if it falls or disassembles.

Hidden NFC Features on Xiaomi Mi 8

In addition to the standard features, the NFC on the Mi 8 supports several hidden features that can be activated through an engineering menu or third-party apps:

• 🔑 Emulation of access cards: using the application NFC Tools can record data from an intercom or office card on your phone (if it is not protected by dynamic encryption).
• 📡 Reading tags: Mi 8 supports reading NFC-tags (e.g., to automate tasks through Tasker).
• 🔄 Card reader mode: In the engineering menu (#3646633##) you can turn on Card Reader Mode so that the phone works as a reader for others NFC-device.
• 🛡️ Protection against scanning: in settings NFC There is an unlock lock option that disables the chip when the screen is locked (good for security).

Warnings when using hidden functions:

⚠️ Attention: emulating access cards may violate the security rules of your organization, MIFARE DesFire) uses dynamic authentication and cannot be copied.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling Card Reader Mode may lead to contactless payment conflicts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about NFC on Xiaomi Mi 8