Owners of Redmi 9A smartphones are often faced with a situation where the usual contactless payment method stops working due to the lack of Google services. This doesn't mean you need to go back to using plastic cards or carrying cash. The modern financial technology market offers several reliable alternatives that allow you to make purchases with one touch even on budget devices.
The main difficulty is that the model Redmi 9A comes without a pre-installed Google Play store, which blocks the operation of the standard application Google Pay. However, the Android ecosystem allows you to install third-party payment systems and banking utilities that successfully emulate the operation of the card chip. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from official bank applications to the use of special stickers.
Before you start setting up, make sure that your smartphone is completely updated to the latest available version of MIUI firmware. The stability of the NFC module critically depends on the correct operation of the system drivers. Also check whether the contactless communication function is activated in the notification shade, since without it none of the methods described below will work.
Checking the presence and configuration of the NFC module
The first step before installing any payment applications is a hardware check. Not all modifications of budget smartphones are equipped with a near-field communication module. For Redmi 9A, the availability of NFC depends on the region of release and the specific version of the device. If the chip is missing in software, it cannot be activated by updates, and you will have to use alternative payment methods.
To confirm the presence of the module, go to the menu Settings → Connection and sharing. The list of options must contain the item NFC. If you don't find it in the main settings, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen and search for "NFC." The system will either open the corresponding switch or report that the function was not found.
After activating the switch, you must select a security element. In the NFC settings menu, find the item Security element and make sure that the option HCE Walletis selected. It is this parameter that allows the smartphone to emulate a bank card programmatically, and not through the physical chip of the operator's SIM card.
⚠️ Attention: If there is no NFC item in the settings, but it is stated in the phone's characteristics, try rebooting the device. In rare cases, the module may be disabled by software after resetting the settings to factory settings.
The location of the NFC antenna in the Redmi 9A case also matters when paying. Typically the module is located at the top of the back cover, next to the camera block. When you bring your phone to the terminal, try to touch this area so that reading is completed the first time.
Installing and configuring the Mir Pay application
The most universal solution for devices without Google services is the application Mir Pay from the National Payment Card System. It allows you to link cards of any Russian banks that support contactless payment technology, including Sberbank. Since the application is not available on Google Play, it must be downloaded from alternative sources.
Download the APK installation file from the official website of the payment system or from a trusted application directory, for example, RuStore. Before installation, MIUI security may ask for permission to install from unknown sources. Grant this permission to the browser or file manager through which you launch the installation.
The process of adding a card to Mir Pay is as automated as possible. After launching the application, click the add button and point the camera at the front side of the Sberbank card to read the data. Alternatively, you can enter the card number manually. The system will request a confirmation code, which will come in an SMS message from the bank.
☑️ Verification before payment
It is important to note that Mir Pay on Redmi 9A does not require superuser rights or complex manipulations with the system. The application runs in user mode using standard tokenization protocols. This means that the real data of your card is not transmitted to the terminal, but a unique digital code is used.
What to do if the card is not added?
If an error occurs when adding a card, check whether the online payment function is blocked in your Sberbank personal account. Also make sure that the card has not expired and there is a minimum amount on the account for verification (usually 1 ruble, which is returned).
Using the Sberbank Online application
The mobile application of the bank itself also provides the ability to pay via NFC, however, the functionality depends on the version of the app and the device model. The latest updates Sberbank Online have added support for adding cards to the system wallet for Android devices, but this function may work unstable on older firmware versions.
Go to the bank application and go to the card settings section. Find an item related to contactless payment or adding to payment systems. If your smartphone is compatible, the system will prompt you to set up payment. Otherwise, the bank may recommend using a sticker.
It should be taken into account that the Sberbank application requires regular updates to work correctly with payment gateways. Make sure that you are using the current version, downloaded from the bank’s official website or through the in-app notification system. Outdated versions may not see the NFC module or block transactions for security reasons.
| Parameter | Mir Pay | Sberbank Online | Stickers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence of Google services | Not required | Advisable | Not required |
| Number of cards | Up to 10 pieces | Depends on the version | 1 card per sticker |
| Security | High (token) | High | Medium (risk of loss) |
| Charge dependent | Charge required | Charge required | Not required |
To increase security, set the screen lock using a fingerprint or pattern. This will prevent unauthorized payment in case you lose your unlocked phone.
Alternative: payment via stickers
If software methods cause difficulties or seem unreliable, Sberbank offers a physical solution - a payment sticker. This is a small sticker with a built-in chip and antenna that is attached to the back cover of the smartphone or to the case. The sticker works completely autonomously through the Visa or Mastercard network (depending on the type of card it is linked to).
You can order a sticker directly at a bank branch or through the app, if such a function is available in your region. After receiving it, you need to activate it by linking it to your main card through an ATM or self-service terminal. The activation process takes a few minutes and does not require special knowledge.
The main advantage of the sticker over software solutions is its independence from battery charge and operating system. You can pay for purchases even when the phone is completely turned off (for a short time after turning it off, as long as there is a residual charge in the NFC capacitors, although this is not critical for the sticker, since it is powered by the terminal). In addition, the sticker does not require the installation of additional applications.
⚠️ Attention: Do not stick the sticker directly on a metal surface or on the location of the main antenna of the smartphone, if this shields the signal. It is best to place it on the case or in the upper part of the case, where there are no metal inserts.
When using a sticker, remember the limits of contactless payment without entering a PIN code. For amounts above the established limit, the terminal will ask for confirmation, which cannot be entered via a sticker. In such cases, you will need to use a main plastic card or a bank application with entering a code.
Solving common problems when payment
Even with correct settings, users may encounter terminal refusals to accept payments. Often the reason lies in the sequence of actions. The terminal must first go into card standby mode, and only then should you bring the phone to it. Prematurely attaching a device can lead to a connection timeout.
Another common problem is incompatibility of security protocols. Some older terminals in the regions may not work correctly with tokenized cards from applications like Mir Pay. In such a situation, try selecting another default payment card in the application or use the sticker as a backup option.
If your Redmi 9A phone no longer sees maps after a system update, check the power saving settings. Aggressive MIUI algorithms can kill background processes of payment applications. Add Mir Pay or Sberbank Online to the list of exceptions and allow them to autostart. This ensures that the NFC service will be active the moment you approach the terminal.
Settings → Applications → Application management → Mir Pay → Autostart (ON)It is also worth paying attention to the case. A protective case that is too thick or has metallic elements, magnetic clasps, or card pockets may block the NFC signal. Try removing the case and paying with the bare device to eliminate this factor.
90% of payment problems are solved by removing the case or changing the angle at which the phone is applied to the terminal. The antenna of the smartphone should be as close as possible to the reader.
Security measures for contactless payment
Using a smartphone for payments increases convenience, but requires compliance with certain rules of digital hygiene. Always monitor notifications about debits. Instant push notifications from Sberbank allow you to immediately notice an unauthorized transaction and block the card.
Never give confirmation codes from SMS to strangers, even if the caller introduces himself as a bank employee. Employees of financial institutions never request this data. If you lose your phone, immediately use the “Find Device” function to lock the screen or reset data remotely.
Regularly check the list of linked devices in your bank account. If you see an unfamiliar device, immediately remove it from the trusted list. This will prevent attackers from accessing your accounts even if they have your card details.
Is it possible to pay for purchases if the Internet on your phone is turned off?
Yes, to make contactless payment via NFC, an active Internet connection is not required at the time of the transaction. Tokens are stored in the device's secure memory. However, network access is required for initial card activation and periodic update of security keys.
Will payment work if the phone is completely discharged?
For software solutions (Mir Pay, banking applications) - no, the phone must be turned on. For payment stickers - yes, they operate autonomously from the terminal’s energy. Some modern smartphones have an NFC power backup mode, but on Redmi 9A this function may be missing or work unstable.
Is it safe to store a Sberbank card in Mir Pay?
Yes, it is safe. The application does not store your card number in clear text. Instead, a unique token is used that is generated for each transaction. Even if the phone is hacked, attackers will not be able to access the real card details.
What to do if the terminal says “Communication error”?
Try changing the position of the phone by placing it on the other side or moving it higher/lower. Make sure the screen is unlocked. If the error repeats on different terminals, remove the card from the application and add it again after going through the verification procedure.