The modern Redmi 9 smartphone turns into a full-fledged electronic wallet, allowing you to forget about physical bank cards. The NFC (Near Field Communication) technology built into this device provides instant data transmission to the payment terminal at a distance of several centimeters. For owners of Android smartphones, this process becomes a familiar ritual: just unlock the screen and bring the gadget to the reader.
However, given the current situation in the financial services market and the features of the MIUI operating system, the setup process may have its own nuances. Not all banking applications work equally reliably, and some methods require the use of third-party software. In this article, we will look in detail at how to turn your Redmi 9 into a reliable tool for paying for purchases in stores, transport and online services.
Checking hardware compatibility and the NFC module
Before starting setup, it is critical to make sure that your specific modification of the smartphone is equipped with the necessary equipment. The fact is that budget models are often released in different versions for different regions, and the presence of a communication chip is not 100% guaranteed in all assemblies. To check the presence of the module, go to Settings → Connection and sharing.
If you see a switch NFC, which means the hardware is ready for use. In some firmware, this item may be located in the Additional functionssection. Activate the toggle switch by moving it to the “On” position. After activation, a corresponding icon will appear in the notification shade, indicating that the device is ready to exchange data.
⚠️ Attention: If the NFC item is not in the settings, it cannot be installed programmatically. You'll need to use alternative payment methods, such as QR codes or stickers, as your Redmi 9's hardware does not support contactless communication.
It's also worth checking the antenna's functionality. Place the back cover of the phone close to the payment terminal (without making a transaction) - if the device makes a sound or vibrates, the module is working. Make sure that there are no metal plates or overly thick cases glued to the back cover, which could shield the signal.
Place a bank card or sticker on the back cover of the phone on the outside of the case only as a last resort. Metal elements of the card can interfere with the built-in NFC antenna, which is why payment may not go through the first time.
Setting up Google Wallet and linking cards
The main tool for contactless payment in the Android ecosystem is the application Google Wallet (formerly Google Pay). To work correctly on Redmi 9, you must meet a number of prerequisites. First, the device must have Google Services (GMS) installed, which is true by default for global firmware versions.
Download the application from the official store Play Market. When you first launch, the system will ask for permission to use geolocation data and access to contacts - this is necessary for card identification and security. Click “Accept” and log in to your Google Account, which is the main one on this smartphone.
The process of adding a card is intuitive:
- 📱 Click the “Add payment instrument” button on the main application screen.
- 💳 Select the type of card (credit or debit) and scan it with a camera or enter the data manually.
- 🔐 Confirm the card issue via an SMS code from the bank or through your bank's application.
After successful verification, the card will appear in the list. It is important to note that some banks may reject the link if they detect that third-party launchers are installed or received on the device. In this case, it is recommended to temporarily return the stock security settings. root access. In this case, it is recommended to temporarily return the security settings to stock.
Alternative solutions: Mir Pay and banking applications
Under the conditions of restrictions on the operation of international payment systems, Russian users are actively switching to domestic analogues. The application Mir Pay has become the standard for cardholders of the Mir national system. You can download it from the Russian application store RuStore or Galaxy Store, since it may not be available on Google Play.
The principle of operation Mir Pay is identical to its Western counterparts: you add a card, set a PIN code to confirm transactions and pay for purchases with a touch. A special feature is that for the application to work, it often requires that no competing payment systems are installed in active mode on the smartphone, although modern versions of Android allow multiple wallets to coexist.
Many large banks, such as SberBank or Tinkoffhave developed their own payment solutions. For example, SberPay allows you to pay for purchases via NFC using virtual cards issued directly in the bank’s application. This bypasses some restrictions imposed on physical cards.
| App | Supported cards | Download source | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Wallet | Visa, Mastercard (foreign) | Play Market | Basic integration with Android |
| Mir Pay | World | RuStore / Website | Works only with cards MIR |
| SberPay | SberBank (Mir/Visa/MC) | App Store / Website | Requires installation of a paid tariff |
| Tinkoff Pay | Tinkoff (Mir) | Bank website | Payment via QR or NFC (limited) |
⚠️ Attention: Banking application interfaces and conditions for issuing virtual cards change frequently. Always check the current list of supported functions and tariffs in the official application of your bank or on its website.
Selecting a default application and setting up security
If your Redmi 9 has several payment applications installed, the system must know which one to launch when you bring it to the terminal. By default, Android usually prompts you to select an application when you first pay, but this setting can be changed manually at any time.
Go to the section Settings → Connection and sharing → NFC → Contactless payment. Here you will see a list of all installed wallets. Choose the one you plan to use most often (for example, Mir Pay or Google Wallet). Now, when the screen is unlocked, it is this application that will emulate the card.
Transaction security on Redmi 9 is ensured by several levels of protection. Firstly, payment is impossible without unlocking the device. You can use pattern pattern, fingerprint (the scanner is located on the rear panel) or face recognition. It is recommended to use biometrics for speed, but remember that a pattern key is more reliable in case of coercion.
☑️ Security check before payment
Also in the NFC settings, you can enable the confirmation requirement for each transaction, even if the amount is small. This will prevent accidental charges if the phone was just lying next to the terminal in an unlocked state. Find the item “Require device unlocking for payment” and activate it.
Technical nuances of MIUI operation and error resolution
The shell MIUIinstalled on Redmi 9 has its own power management features that can interfere with the operation of payment systems. Aggressive battery saving sometimes “kills” the background processes of Google Wallet or Mir Pay, causing the phone to stop responding to the terminal.
To avoid this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find your payment application and select “Battery Saver”. Set the value "No restrictions". This will prevent the system from unloading the application from RAM, providing an instant response when paying.
Another common problem is a conflict with applications for emulating access cards (intercoms, passes). If you use software like NFC Tools to record keys, it can intercept control of the module. When paying in the store, close such applications completely through the task manager.
What to do if the terminal does not see the phone?
If the terminal does not respond, try changing the position of the phone. The NFC antenna in Redmi 9 is located at the top of the back cover, closer to the camera. Try applying this particular angle to the reader. Also make sure that you do not keep the phone in a metal case or together with another bank card.
In rare cases, resetting the NFC settings helps. To do this, in the menu Connection and sharing Find the option to reset network settings. Please note that this action will delete saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but can restore the correct operation of the communication module.
Payment without NFC: QR codes and Fast Payment System
Even if the NFC module for some reason does not work or is not supported your version of Redmi 9, you can still pay for purchases with your phone using the camera. The Fast Payments system (SBP) allows you to transfer money directly from a card to a merchant’s card using a QR code.
This does not require special applications, except for a bank client. Open the application of your bank (Sber, Tinkoff, Alfa, etc.), select the “Payment by QR” function and point the camera at the code at the checkout. Confirm the transfer amount, and payment will be processed instantly without commission for the buyer.
Some retail chains have introduced their own QR payment through their applications (for example, SberSpasibo or electronics network applications). In such cases, the process looks like this:
- 📷 Open the store or bank application.
- 🔍 Select the QR code scanner in the interface.
- ✅ Point the camera at the code and confirm the debit.
⚠️ Attention: When paying via QR code, always carefully check the amount and recipient's name on the smartphone screen before confirming. Unlike NFC terminals, where the amount is entered by the cashier, here you visually control the details.
This method is a universal insurance. It works on any smartphone with a camera, regardless of whether it has an NFC chip or Android version. The main condition is the presence of Internet on the phone at the time of scanning.
Having a working NFC module is convenient, but not the only possible method of payment. The fast payment system via QR code is a complete and often more profitable alternative, since it does not depend on the type of payment system (Visa/MC/Mir).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I add a Sberbank card to Google Wallet on Redmi 9?
At the moment, cards of Russian banks (including Sberbank) cannot be added to Google Wallet for payment via NFC due to sanctions restrictions. However, you can use the SberPay application to pay via NFC, if you have the appropriate tariff, or pay using a QR code through the main bank application.
Why does the phone write “Payment failed” even though the card is linked?
Most often the reason is that the phone was blocked when it was brought to the terminal. To pay, the screen must be active and unlocked. Also check if the correct default payment app is selected in the NFC settings.
Is it safe to store card details in your Redmi 9 phone?
Yes, it is safe. When paying via NFC, the real card number is not transmitted to the terminal. A special encrypted token (virtual number) is used, which is one-time or limited in time. Even if the phone is stolen, it is impossible to make a payment without unlocking the screen (fingerprint, face, PIN code).
Does payment by phone work if there is no Internet?
Yes, to carry out the transaction itself via NFC, the Internet on the phone is not required. Tokens are stored in a secure element of the phone. However, the Internet may be needed for the initial linking of the card or if the terminal requires online authorization through the bank application (as is the case with some types of payment through Mir Pay).
What to do if payment stops working after updating MIUI?
Try to remove and re-add the card to the payment application. Also check the energy saving settings for the wallet app (set to “No restrictions”). As a last resort, clear the cache of the Google Play Services application in the phone settings.