How to scan QR- code on Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 Proven Ways

The QR- code scanner on Xiaomi smartphones has become an integral part of everyday tasks, from paying for purchases to quickly logging into Wi-Fi networks. Owners of the Redmi Note 4 (released in 2017) often face the question: how to correctly read these square barcodes if the standard camera does not always recognize them automatically? In this article, we will analyze all available methods – from built-in functions to third-party applications, and also reveal hidden features MIUI, which are not written in the official instructions.

The Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido) is based on MIUI 8/9, where the QR- code support is not as obvious as in the current versions. For example, newer Xiaomi smartphones simply point the camera at the code, and this may require additional software or activation of hidden settings. We tested all methods on firmware MIUI 10.2.2.0 and MIUI 11.0.2.0 — the results you will find below.

Important: If your Redmi Note 4 runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some methods may not work, and then look for generic solutions like Google Lens or Barcode Scanner.

1. QR- code scanner through a standard Xiaomi camera

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Camera app, but not everyone knows that the Redmi Note 4 doesn't work the same way it does on new models.

1. Open the Camera app (camera icon on the home screen).
2. Switch to Photo mode (if there was a different mode, for example, Video or Portrait).
3. Hover the lens over the QR- code so that it fits fully within the viewfinder frame.
4. Wait 2-3 seconds – if the code is recognized, a notification will appear with a suggestion to click on the link.

⚠️ Problem: On the Redmi Note 4, the standard camera often doesn't recognize QR- codes automatically because of the older version MIUI. If nothing happens after 5 seconds, try the following:

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest available version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Clear the Camera Cache: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear the Cache.
• 🔍 Check permissions: The camera must have internet access (to handle links from QR- codes).

If even after that, the camera refuses to scan, proceed to the next method.

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The standard Redmi Note 4 camera recognizes QR- codes only in good lighting and clear focus. Use a flashlight or third-party apps in dark rooms.

2. Built-in scanner in Security Application (MIUI)

Few people know, but the MIUI has a hidden QR- code scanner built into the Security app (shield icon), which is more stable than the camera and does not require additional software installation.

1. Open the Security app (if it is not on the home screen, search through the system search).
2. Go to the Scanner section (QR- code icon in the lower menu).
3. Point the camera at the code, recognition occurs almost instantly.
4. Click on the link that appears to open it in the browser.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 Works even on older versions of MIUI 8/9.
• 🔹 Supports barcode scanning (EAN, UPC) in addition to QR.
• 🔹 It is possible to save scan history (useful for frequently used codes).

⚠️ Warning: If your version of MIUI does not have the Scanner tab in the Security app, update it via Google Play (the app is called Mi Security).

Update the “Security” annex"|Check the camera permits|Enable the Internet (to process links)|Clear the app cache (if the scanner is slowing down)-->

3: Using Google Lens to recognize QR- codes

Google Lens is a versatile tool from Google that can recognize not only QR- codes, but also texts, objects, plants and more. On the Redmi Note 4, it can be used in two ways:

Method 1: Through Google Photos

1. Take a picture of the QR- code through a standard camera (save the picture in the gallery).
2. Open the photo in Google Photos.
3. Click on the Google Lens icon (the icon with a dot in a circle).
4. The application will automatically determine the code and prompt you to click on the link.

Method 2: Google Assistant

1. Activate Google Assistant (click the Home button or say “OK, Google”).
2. Click on the Google Lens icon in the bottom menu.
3. Hover the camera on the QR- code - recognition will take 1-2 seconds.

The advantages of Google Lens:

• 🌍 Works offline (recognizes codes without the Internet, but only opens links when connected).
• 🔍 Can read codes even from screens of other devices (e.g., a PC monitor).
• 📱 No additional apps (if you already have Google Photos or Google Assistant)

Cons:

• ⚠️ On the Redmi Note 4 with 2GB of RAM, Google Lens can slow down when processing complex codes.
• ⚠️ Not all versions of MIUI integrate properly with Google services (solved by installing Google Camera via GCam Port).

4. Third-party scanning applications QR-code

If the built-in methods don’t work or you need advanced features (e.g. code generation, scan history, working with corrupted QR), you should pay attention to third-party applications. We tested 5 popular scanners on the Redmi Note 4 – the results in the table:

🔹 Recommendation: For the Redmi Note 4, the best choice is Gamma Play's QR & Barcode Scanner — it's lightweight (weighs just 3 MB), doesn't load the processor and runs without the Internet. If security is important, take Kaspersky QR Scanner — it checks all the links to malware.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid apps with suspicious permissions (such as accessing SMS or contacts). Check reviews and rankings in Google Play before installing. On Redmi Note 4, some scanners may conflict with MIUI due to background restrictions on older versions of Android (6.0-7.0).

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Before installing a third-party scanner, check if it duplicates the functions of already installed applications, for example, if you have Google Pay, it already has a built-in QR scanner for payments.

5. QR- code scanner via browser (without application installation)

If you don't want to install additional software, you can use online scanners right in your browser, which is suitable for one-off tasks when special tools are not available.

1. Open your browser (Chrome, Firefox or built-in MIUI Browser).
2. Go to one of the online scanners: ZXing Decoder (the most reliable) Online Barcode Reader

Permission.

Hover the camera on the QR- code and the result will be displayed on the screen.

The advantages of online scanners:

• 🌐 Nothing needs to be installed.
• 🔧 Supports rare code formats (e.g., Data Matrix or PDF417).
• 📱 Works even on very old smartphones.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires a stable Internet (except for ZXing, which can run offline after the first run).
• ⚠️ Risk of data being transferred to third parties (do not use to scan sensitive codes).

🔹 Tip: If you use online crawlers frequently, bookmark the site or the home screen through the Add Home feature in the browser menu. This will save time the next time you use it.

6. Alternative methods: scanning from a photograph or screen

Sometimes the QR- code is not read from paper, but from a screen of another device or from a stored image.

Method 1: From the gallery via Google Photos

How to do this:

1. Save the image with the QR- code in the gallery.
2. Open it in Google Photos.
3. Click on the Google Lens icon (or select the lens from the menu).
4. The application will analyze the image and suggest an action (clicking on a link, copying text, etc.).

Method 2: Applications that support scanning from files

Some scanners (such as QR & Barcode Scanner) can read codes directly from photos.

1. Open the scanner app.
2. Select the option to scan from the gallery or Import QR.
3. Select the desired image – the code will be recognized in a few seconds.

⚠️ Warning: If QR- code is on another device (like a PC monitor), increase the brightness of the screen to maximum and turn off the autobrightness on the Redmi Note 4. This will help the camera focus better. Also avoid glare - they can distort the code.

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If the QR- code is on a computer screen, try taking a screenshot (e.g., via Lightshot), saving it as an image, and uploading it to an online scanner.

7: Solution: Why doesn't Redmi Note 4 scan QR- codes?

If neither method worked, it could be a software or hardware problem, and let's look at the typical problems and their solutions.

🔹 Critical case: If after all the manipulations QR- the codes are still not scanned, check the camera's performance on other tasks (photo/video shooting). If the camera is not working properly, the problem may be hardware damage to the module or tracking autofocus, in which case only repair or replacement of the camera will help.

To diagnose hardware problems, run the camera test through the engineering menu:

#4636## → Select "Equipment Testing" → "Camera"

If the camera shows artifacts or does not focus on the test, contact the service center.

FAQ: Frequent QR scanning questions on Redmi Note 4