QR-Codes have long been an integral part of digital life, from paying for purchases to logging in to Wi-Fi networks. Xiaomi smartphone owners (including the Redmi series, POCO and Mi) are often faced with the need to read or show QR-They don't always know how to do it quickly, but unlike the iPhone, where the scanning function is built into the standard camera, the camera is not very good. MIUI You need to either activate hidden settings or use third-party applications.
In this article, we will discuss all available ways to work with QR-We're going to use codes on Xiaomi phones, from the built-in scanner to the creation of our own codes. NFC (For example, the Redmi Note 12, where QR It often replaces contactless payments, and we explain why sometimes the camera does not recognize codes from the screen of another device.
If you need to scan your code immediately, go to the scan section. If you want to create your own QR (for example, to transfer contacts or links), read about code generation without third-party applications.
1. How to scan. QR-Xiaomi code through the camera
The most obvious way is to use the built-in camera, but here's the caveat: by default, the QR scan function can be disabled.
- Open the Camera app.
- Point the lens at QR-code (distance - 10-30 cm).
- If the code is not recognized, tap the QR Scanner icon (usually in the upper right corner) or turn it on in the camera settings.
Nana MIUI 14/15 path to scanner settings: Camera → Settings (cogs) → More customizations → Scanner. QR-code.
Clean the camera lens of dirt
Make sure the code is not blurred and contrasting
Turn on the screen brightness (if you are scanning from another device)
Turn off the power saving (may block the camera)-->
Scanning problems? If the camera persists in not seeing the code, try:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with camera module failures.
- 📱 Use a third-party scanner (for example, QR & Barcode Scanner by Gamma Play).
- 💡 Change the angle of inclination – glare on the screen can interfere with recognition.
⚠️ Attention: Don't scan. QR-Attackers can mask phishing links as codes from unknown sources. URL manually.
2. built-in QR scanner in MIUI: where to find and how to use
Besides the camera, in MIUI There is a separate tool for working with QR-It's called a scanner, and it supports not only reading, but also generating code:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Scanner.
- Or find it through a system search (swipe down on the home screen → type “scanner”).
Advantages of a system scanner:
- 🔍 It works without the Internet (recognizes codes in offline mode).
- 📋 Stores scan history (up to the last 50 codes).
- 🔄 Can create QR for text, contacts, Wi-Fi and geolocation.
If the Scanner app is not in your firmware (relevant for some regions), it can be installed via the Mi App Store or Google Play (search for "Mi QR Scanner").
Built-in camera
Appendix "Scanner" in MIUI
Third-party applications (Barcode Scanner, etc.)
No scanning. QR-code-->
| Function | Camera. | Appendix "Scanner" | Third-party annexes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working without the Internet | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes (depending on the app) |
| QR generation | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
| Recognition speed | ⚡ Quickly (if the scanner is on) | ⚡⚡ Very quickly. | ⚡⚡⚡ highest |
| Support for damaged codes | ❌ No. | ✅ Partially. | ✅ Yes (in advanced scanners) |
3. How to open. QR-gallery-code
If QR-The code is stored as an image (e.g., a screenshot or a photo), and can be recognized without being scanned again:
- Open the gallery and find the file with the code.
- Slip the QR scanner icon in the lower menu (appears when you open the image).
- If there is no icon, use the system “Scanner” (upload the image through the “Import” button).
Important: The QR recognition feature from the gallery only works on MIUI 12 and later, and older versions of the firmware will have to use third-party applications, such as:
- 📱 QR Code Reader (from TWMobile) – supports batch processing of images.
- 🖼️ PhotoScan – scans codes directly from Google Photos.
⚠️ Attention: If QR-The code in the screenshot is not recognized, try to crop the image so that the code occupies at least 60% of the frame. MIUI It doesn't work well with small details.
4 How to create your own QR-code on Xiaomi without third-party applications
Generate QR-You can use Xiaomi code directly in the Scanner system app:
- Open Settings → Applications → Scanner.
- Go to the “Create” tab (or “Generate” in English firmware).
- Select the data type: 🔗 Reference (URL-address). 📞 Contact (business card with phone and email). 📶 Wi-Fi (data for network connection). 📍 Geolocation (coordinates on the map). 💬 Text (arbitrary message up to 500 characters).
"Create a QR"
The finished code can be saved to the gallery or shared through instant messengers.
On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), QR generation is 30% faster thanks to hardware acceleration. However, for high-density codes (such as long URLs), it is better to use specialized services like QR Code Generator.
💡
To create a QR to connect to Wi-Fi without manually entering a password, select the "Wi-Fi" type in the system scanner, enter the network name and password, and then scan the code from another device.
5.The Best Third-Party Apps to Work with QR on Xiaomi
If the built-in MIUI tools aren’t enough, consider these apps:
| Annex | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| QR & Barcode Scanner (Gamma Play) | ✅ Identifies damaged codes.✅ The history of scanning✅ It works on Android 8.+ | ❌ Advertising in the free version |
| QR Code Reader (TWMobile) | ✅ Gallery scan✅ Generation of codes with logo✅ Support for dynamic QR | ❌ Requires access to the storage facility |
| Kaspersky QR Scanner | ✅ Verification of virus references✅ Blocking phishing sites | ❌ Slower than analogues |
To generate design QR-codes (with logo, color, frame) will fit:
- 🎨 QR Code Generator – allows you to add icons and change the palette.
- 🖌️ Visualead – creates animated codes (for example, for Instagram storis).
How to cheat a QR scanner?
6.Why Xiaomi isn't scanning QR-code: causes and solutions
If Xiaomi’s smartphone refuses to recognize QR, check out these points:
- 📵 No Internet connection - some codes (for example, for payment) require a connection to the network.
- 🔋 Power Saving Mode - limits the camera's performance. Solution: Turn it off in Settings → Battery.
- 📸 Low resolution camera – on budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2) So, the scanner may not be able to handle small codes.
- 🛠️ Firmware failure - after update MIUI Sometimes you get camera settings. Solution: reset the camera settings to Settings. → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
If the problem persists, try an alternative scanning method:
- Take a photo of the code (enlarge the scale when shooting).
- Open the photo in Google Lens (Google Photos must be installed).
- Click on the “Search in Lens” icon – the service recognizes the code even if the system scanner failed.
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On Xiaomi phones with infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) We can transfer data through QR-Alternatively, open the Remote Control app and select Data Sharing, which is useful if the main camera is faulty.
7.Security: How not to run into a scam QR-code
QR-codes are convenient but can be dangerous. According to Kaspersky, in 2023, one in five phishing sites were distributed through the Internet. QR. Here's how to keep yourself safe:
- 🔍 Check it out. URL before opening – if the code leads to a strange domain (for example, pay-pal-verification.ru), do not click on the link.
- 🛡️ Use secure scanners, such as Kaspersky. QR Scanner or Bitdefender Mobile Security.
- 💳 Do not scan the codes for payment from unknown sources – scammers are replacing them on payment terminals.
- 📱 Update. MIUI — In new versions of firmware improved protection against malicious codes.
Signs of a fraudulent QR:
- 🚩 The code is pasted over the official (for example, on the menu in a restaurant).
- 🚩 The link leads to abbreviated URL (for example, bit.ly/...).
- 🚩 Requires personal data (passwords, card numbers).
⚠️ Note: At Xiaomi root-access attackers can replace the system scanner QR If you are not sure about the security of the firmware, use only official applications from Google Play.