How to permanently remove “Hold to Scan” on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

The “Hold to Scan” feature** on Xiaomi smartphones has been introduced into the mobile app. MIUI 12 as part of an improved interaction with QR-It allows you to quickly activate the scanner by holding your finger on the camera icon or a special icon in the notification panel, but for many users, this feature becomes a source of irritation: random taps start the scan, consume battery power and create unnecessary vibrations. This is especially true for Redmi Note models. 10/11, POCO X3/X4 and flagships Xiaomi 12/13, where the touch screen is highly sensitive.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable Hold to Scan, from standard MIUI settings to hidden developer and ADB command settings. You’ll learn how to remove the feature completely, turn off its vibration, or simply hide the icon from the notification bar, and we’ll explain why some methods stopped working after the MIUI 14 update and what to do about it.

What is Hold to Scan and Why it Should Be Disabled

Hold to Scan feature was introduced as part of Xiaomi’s initiative to simplify scanner access QR-The idea is that the user can hold his finger on the camera icon in the notification panel or on the desktop to instantly activate the scan mode:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption: the feature runs in the background, constantly tracking gestures.
• 🤯 Accidental positives: it is enough to accidentally hit the icon to start the scanner.
• 📱 Conflicts with other gestures: on some models POCO The function interferes with the work of Double Tap to Wake.
• 🔊 Obsessive vibration: Each response is accompanied by a tactile response that cannot be turned off separately.

According to surveys among Xiaomi users, more than 60% of respondents want to disable this feature, but do not know how, and on MIUI 14 the problem was exacerbated by the developers removing the direct option to disable from the settings menu, hiding it in deep areas of the system.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings

On most Xiaomi devices (except for the newest firmware), the function can be deactivated via the settings menu. MIUI 12–13 and some assemblies MIUI 14:

1. Open the settings → Additional settings.
2. Go to the button function section (or gestures and buttons on new versions).
3. Find the Hold to Scan option (which can be called Hold to Scan or Quick Scan).
4. Move the slider to the off position.

If there is no such item, try an alternative path:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Find the scanner on the list or QR Scanner.
• ⚙️ Open Permissions and disable access to Overlay on other applications.

Important: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14.0.4 for Redmi Note 12), this method doesn't work - developers have removed the option from the interface.

Method 2: Remove the icon from the notification panel

If you're only bothered by the Hold to Scan icon in the notification curtain, you can hide it without completely turning it off, which is true for users who sometimes use the scanner but don't want random positives.

Instructions:

1. Turn the notification bar swipe down.
2. Press on. ⚙️ Edit (or customize depending on firmware).
3. Find the scanner icon (usually looks like it) QR-code).
4. Drag it to the Unused section or click on the cross to delete.

After that, the icon will disappear from quick access, but the Hold to Scan function will remain active while holding the camera icon on the desktop.

Method 3: Disconnection through Developer Mode

If standard settings don’t work, you can use the hidden options of developer mode, which works on most Xiaomi devices, including the POCO F4, Redmi K50 and Xiaomi 12T.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Press 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You are a developer").

Settings

Additional settings

For developers

Entrance to applications

Special facilities

Quick Scan

Quick scan.

On some firmware (MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13 Pro), this item may be called differently:

• 🔍 Hold to Scan Service
• 📱 QR Scanner Shortcut
• ⚙️ Gesture Scanner

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If there is no option in Developer mode, try resetting the settings on this menu: in the upper right corner, click three dots → Reset. After rebooting the device, the item may appear.

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If previous methods have failed, the most reliable way is to disconnect via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – this will require connecting your smartphone to your computer, but it is guaranteed to remove the Hold to Scan feature on any Xiaomi device, including the latest firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the smartphone debugging by USB (Settings → For developers).
3. Connect the phone to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.scanner or (if the first one didn't work): adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.qr

Once these commands are executed, the Hold to Scan function will be completely removed from the system, including all related services, and to return it back, you will need to reset your settings or manually reinstall the APK.

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ADB-commands are the most efficient way, but you need to be careful. Improper use can cause system failures!

Method 5: Reverse firmware or switch to custom

If none of the methods helped, and the Hold to Scan function critically interferes with the work, there is a radical solution – a rollback to an older version of MIUI or installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

Advantages of this approach:

• ✅ Remove all of Xiaomi’s unnecessary features, including Hold to Scan.
• ✅ Ability to fine-tune the interface.
• ✅ Lack of advertising and unnecessary services.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty (when unlocking the bootloader).
• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" of the device when installed incorrectly.
• ⚠️ Certain functions (e.g, IR Blaster may stop working.

Firmware rollback instructions:

1. Download the desired version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select a firmware file.
4. Specify the path to the downloaded file and confirm the installation.

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Before rolling back the firmware, check the compatibility of the version with your model! Installing firmware from another model will cause the device to fail.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off Hold to Scan, users experience common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after use ADB-When the camera stops working, follow the command: adb shell pm enable com.android.camera This will return the standard camera app to working condition.

Another common problem is the vibration of the icon holding, and you've disabled the scanning function itself, and the tactile response can remain.

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → System Vibration.
2. Turn off Vibration when touching or Tactile response.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions