How to scan. QR-Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: All ways to use photos and videos

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but many users do not know that it supports scanning. QR-Out of the box codes, without installing any additional apps, and in this article, we'll look at all the ways you can do it, from having an in-camera scanner built in to using Google Lens and third-party utilities.

QR-And codes are everywhere, from payment systems, to restaurant menus, to event tickets, to packages of goods, and if you've never scanned them on your Redmi Note 8, don't worry, it takes less than a minute. We also tell you what to do if the scanner doesn’t work and how to get around the restrictions. MIUI.

Important: All methods are tested on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12-14 firmware (Android 9-11).If you have custom firmware or a heavily outdated version of MIUI, some features may not be available.

1. built-in QR scanner in a standard camera

The fastest way is to use the built-in scanning feature in the Camera app, which works without the Internet and does not require the installation of additional software.

How to do this:

• 📷 Open the Camera app on the Redmi Note 8.
• 🔍 Switch to Photo Mode (if you were in a different mode, such as Video or Portrait).
• 🎯 Point the lens at QR-code so that it fits fully into the frame on the screen.
• 🔗 After 1-2 seconds, a notification will appear with a suggestion to click on a link or copy the text.

If the scanner fails:

• 🔦 Make sure that QR-code is well lit (turn on the flashlight in the dark).
• 📏 Bring the camera closer or further away – the optimal distance is 10–30 cm.
• 🔄 Restart the camera (close and open the app again).

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI The built-in scanner is disabled by default. To activate it, go to Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Scanner. QR-codes and switch on the switch.

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If QR-code on the screen of another device, reduce the brightness of the display – this will help the camera to focus better.

2. scan through Google Lens (if the camera does not recognize the code)

If the scanner is not working, or QR-The code is corrupted, use Google Lens, a service from Google that recognizes not only codes, but also text, objects and even plants. On the Redmi Note 8, it is pre-installed in the Google Photos app or Google Assistant.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Click on the Google Lens icon (a stylized lens image) in the bottom bar.
3. Put the camera on QR-The service will automatically scan it and show the result.
4. Tap the link or text that appears to interact with it.

The advantages of Google Lens:

• 🔍 It recognizes even partially erased or curved QR-code.
• 🌐 Works with foreign symbols and hieroglyphs.
• 📱 Can scan codes from photos in the gallery (click on the photo) → Lens).

⚠️ Note: Google Lens requires an internet connection to work. If you're offline, use the camera's built-in scanner.

3. Third-party scanning applications QR-code

If the standard methods don't work, install a dedicated app. We tested the 3 best options for the Redmi Note 8:

How to install and use:

1. Go to the Play Market and find one of the apps by name.
2. Set it up and open it.
3. Click on the scan button (usually a large icon in the center of the screen).
4. Put the camera on QR-Code - the result will appear automatically.

⚠️ Note: Some applications request access to Camera, Files and the Internet. Check reviews before installing them - if there are any complaints about data collection.

4. Scanning. QR-code from another phone screen

Sometimes you need to scan. QR-And there's a nuance here: the Redmi Note 8 camera may not focus on the screen because of the flashing backlight. Here's how to solve the problem:

Method 1: Reduce the brightness of the screen

• On the device where it is displayed QR-code, reduce the brightness to 30-50%.
• Turn off autobrightness and night mode (they can distort colors).
• Hold the Redmi Note 8 camera at a distance of 15-20 cm.

Method 2: Take a photo of the code and scan from the gallery

• Take a photo. QR-code (for example, using Google Photos).
• Open the photo and click on the Google Lens icon.
• The app scans the code directly from the image.

Method 3: Use the Document mode in the camera

• Open the camera on the Redmi Note 8.
• Switch to Document Mode (Icon with a piece of paper).
• Point the lens at QR-Code - Mode improves the clarity of text and codes.

5. What to do if QR-code not scanned

If none of the methods worked, check the following points:

On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12.5 and below, there is sometimes a bug when the built-in scanner stops working after the update, in which case resetting the camera settings will help: go to Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear data.

If the problem persists, try an alternative method:

• 📱 Install. APK-file QR Scanner (for example, with APKPure).
• 🔧 Reverse to the previous version MIUI (if the update has caused a failure).
• 🛠️ Reset your phone settings to factory (extreme case).

6.Security: How to avoid getting caught by fraudsters QR-code

QR-The codes are convenient, but they can be dangerous, and scammers often substitute them for fake codes that lead to phishing sites or infect devices with viruses:

Signs of danger QR-code:

• 🚨 The code is pasted over the original (for example, on the payment terminal).
• 🔗 The link contains typos (e.g. vk.com). → vk.co).
• 📱 After scanning, ask to enter logins, passwords or card data.
• 💣 Code suggests downloading APK-file».

How to check QR-pre-scan:

1. Use a link checker (Kaspersky QR Scanner or Bitdefender Mobile Security) application.
2. Don’t click on the link right away – first see where it leads (click and hold the link in your browser).
3. If the code is on the payment terminal, compare it with the official application of the bank.

⚠️ Warning: Never scan. QR-codes that suggest "update firmware" or "accelerate phone." That's 100% fraud - Xiaomi doesn't distribute updates through QR!

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Even if QR-The code looks safe, always check it. URL Fraudsters often copy the design of official websites (for example, SberBank or VKontakte).

FAQ: Frequent QR scanning questions on Redmi Note 8