Modern smartphones, and POCO X3 They have become universal tools for interacting with the digital world, where QR-And codes have become the de facto standard for fast data exchange, so you don't have to search for special apps in the store, or you don't have to type in complex Wi-Fi passwords for a long time, you just have to point the camera lens over a square barcode. MIUI Often faced with a situation where a standard camera does not recognize the code automatically, which causes confusion and search for third-party solutions.
This article takes a look at all the available ways to read information on your Xiaomi POCO X3, from the built-in features of the system to the hidden features of the shell. We will look at how to activate Google Lens for deep image analysis, where to find a separate scanner application in the Tools system folder, and what to do if the camera stubbornly refuses to focus on the code. Understanding these nuances will allow you to use the potential of the smartphone to the maximum.
It is worth noting that security when scanning codes from unknown sources remains a priority, since malicious codes can be redirected to phishing sites. Android and MIUI shell have built-in protection mechanisms, but it is useful for the user to know how they work. Next, we will go through each method Step-by-step so you can choose the most convenient for yourself in a particular situation.
Use of built-in scanner in the Camera application
The most obvious and quick way to read the code is to use the standard Camera app that is already installed on your POCO X3. However, unlike some other manufacturers, Xiaomi often buckles this feature in an additional mode menu, rather than making it active by default in normal photo shooting mode. To activate the scan, open the camera app and swipe to the right until you find a mode called Scanner or Scan.
If you don't find this mode, it may have been removed from quick access or hidden in the interface settings. In this case, click on the three horizontal bars at the top of the screen (the optional mode menu) and look for the scanner icon there. Once activated, point the camera at the code, and the phone automatically recognizes the link, text or contact, suggesting that you perform the appropriate action.
It is important to understand the difference between normal photo mode and scanner mode: in normal mode, the camera tries to focus on the object as in a photo, while the scanner mode is optimized for reading contrasting black and black lines. The scanner mode in MIUI often uses the Google Lens or Baidu engine for recognition, which improves accuracy even in poor lighting.
⚠️ Warning: When scanning codes through the camera, always pay attention to a link click pop-up notification. If the site domain looks suspicious or contains typos in the brand name, do not click on it.
For users who use this feature often, it will be useful to know about gesture control. In some versions of MIUI firmware, double tapping the power or volume button can trigger functions, but for a scanner, it is best to set up quick access through the sidebar, which will save time when you need to pay quickly or show a ticket.
Appendix Scanner in the Tools folder
At the back of the Xiaomi POCO X3 system, there is a separate, more functional application that users often ignore, located in the Tools folder, simply called the Scanner. Unlike the fast camera mode, this application offers advanced functionality, including text recognition (OCR), real-time word translation and document scanning.
When you run the app, you'll see an interface with multiple tabs or mode switching buttons, and you can choose what you want to scan: QR-This is especially useful for students or office workers who need to quickly transfer text from paper to digital format on their phone.
The app allows you to save your scan history, which is a huge advantage over a standard camera. If you accidentally close a pop-up with a link after scanning, you don't have to search for the code again - just open the story in the Scanner app. All your recent actions will be saved there, including the recognized text and the crossed ones. URL-address.
☑️ Checking the scanner settings
In addition, the app’s settings can enable or disable various recognition features, such as preventing automatic clicking to improve security or speeding up the process. With its powerful processor, the POCO X3 is almost instantaneous.
Use of Google Lens (Google Lens)
Google Lens technology is integrated into the Android ecosystem and is one of the most powerful tools for analyzing visual information. On the Xiaomi POCO X3, it can be triggered in several ways: through a desktop widget, through a Google app, or directly from the camera interface, if allowed by the system settings. It's not just a code scanner, it's artificial intelligence that understands the contents of the frame.
What to use Google Lens to scan QR-Open the Google app and click on the camera icon in the search box. Hover the lens over the code, and the system not only reads it, but also offers additional actions, such as searching for similar products or translating text if it is present next to the code. This is especially true for foreign codes with hieroglyphs or Latin characters.
A unique feature of Google Lens is the ability to scan codes from the screen. QR-If you use the code in the messenger or it's on the site, take a screenshot, open Google Photos, select this image, and press the Lens button, the system will analyze the image and extract the code from it, even if it's part of a more complex image.
Why Google Lens may not work?
For POCO X3 owners, it's also a great way to translate menus in foreign languages in real time. If you point a Lens-enabled camera at a device menu or signage, you'll see translated text right on top of the image, which makes your phone a universal travel assistant.
Scanning codes from the Gallery and screenshots
Often there is a situation where QR-The code is not in the real world, but on your phone screen or in a stored image. MIUI Xiaomi POCO X3 It has a built-in code recognition feature right in the Gallery app, so you don't have to install additional programs or do complex manipulations with image transfer.
The process is as simple as possible: open the desired image in the Gallery, where you can see it. QR-At the bottom of the screen or in the Three Dots menu, find a Recognise button or an icon that looks like a dotted square. The system will analyze the image and, if it finds the code, prompt you to click on the link or copy the text. This works even if the code is inverted or has a low resolution.
An alternative method is to use Google's Image Search feature, which is also built into the gallery via Google Photos. When you open an image, click on the lens icon and the search will automatically determine if you have a picture. QR-It's convenient when you have a standard analyzer. MIUI For some reason, they are not doing the job.
| Method of scanning | Speed of operation | History of the existence of | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regime of the Chamber | Tall. | No. | Basic recognition |
| Appendix Scanner | Medium | Yes. | OCR, Documents, Translation |
| Google lens | Medium | Yes (in annex) | Product search, text, live translation |
| Gallery (from photo) | Low. | Depends on the photo. | Working with screenshots |
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The fastest way to code from the screen is to open the image in the Gallery and press the recognition button without taking unnecessary screenshots.
Setting up the scanner widget on the desktop
For those who use QR-codes daily (payment in stores, access to the office, authorization in WhatsApp Web), the most convenient solution is to output the scanner widget directly to the desktop POCO X3. This allows you to run a one-touch scan, bypassing long searches in the app menu. MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust the size and appearance of such widgets.
To add a widget, pinch your two fingers across your desktop or pinch an empty area to go into edit mode. Select Widgets in the bottom menu. In the list, find the Scanner app (usually with a green icon) Drag it to the free screen space. You can choose the size of the widget from a small button to a large history block.
There is also the possibility of creating a shortcut for a specific type of scan. For example, if you often scan codes for payment, some banking applications allow you to perform this function separately. However, the Xiaomi system widget is versatile and runs a native scanner that works faster than third-party counterparts due to optimization for the hardware of the smartphone.
Remember that widgets consume RAM, albeit in minimal amounts. If your POCO X3 starts to run slower due to a crowded desktop, consider using a smaller widget or removing unused elements.
Solving Recognition and Focus Problems
Despite the quality camera in the POCO X3, users sometimes find that the phone "can't see" the code or can't focus. Most often the problem is trivial: fouling the optics. Wipe the camera with a soft cloth, as fat fingerprints blur the contrasting code boundary needed to read.
The second common reason is distance. The camera has a minimal focusing distance. If you hold the phone too close (around 5-7 cm), the image will become blurry and the scanner will not be able to decode the data. Smoothly pull away the phone until the code is clear. A macro lens (if it's in mode) can help, but the standard module often does better thanks to autofocus.
Problems can also arise in poor lighting. In the dark, the camera increases its ISO, which creates digital noise that prevents the black and white pattern from being recognized. Turn on the flash (the scanner mode often has a flashlight button) or use an additional light source. The screen of the phone from which you read the code should also have maximum brightness.
⚠️ Attention: If the camera stopped focusing at all (blurred everything, even in normal mode), this may be a sign of physical failure of the autofocus module or the plume.
Also, check the app permissions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Scanner (or Camera) → Permissions. Make sure that access to the camera is allowed. Sometimes, after a system update, security settings are reset and the app loses the right to use the phone modules.
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If the code is damaged or printed on glossy paper that shines, try changing the phone’s tilt angle relative to the code by 15-20 degrees to remove the reflection of light.