Google Play Services 26.28.xx blocked NFC payments on Chinese phones—issue has been fixed
Google Play Services version 26.28.xx and higher began blocking NFC payments via Google Wallet on phones with Chinese firmware (Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, and others) in May 2026. The issue involved the system detecting a Chinese product code and disabling the HCE component, which could only be fixed by downgrading the service or rooting the device. As of August 2, Google reversed the change and the problem was resolved.
The situation seemed to be resolved, but the fact that it happened at all is very interesting. It appears that despite Google providing no details and claiming that phone payments can be blocked for rooted, custom ROM, unlocked bootloader, or uncertified system scenarios, a brief payment block occurred following detection of CN SKU / Chinese firmware.
Why did Google block Google Wallet on phones with Chinese firmware?
Google Play Services 26.28.xx and later versions introduced detection of Chinese product codes (CN SKU) and automatically disabled the HCE component required for contactless payments. Google never officially stated a reason for the blocking.
Which phones were affected?
The issue affected phones with Chinese firmware from Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, and other manufacturers sold in China.
What were the available fixes at that time?
The only immediate workaround was to downgrade Google Play Services to version 26.26.xx or lower, which was only a temporary solution since the service auto-updates. Alternatively, users could root their devices, though this did not work on Vivo phones.
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