Owners of modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often face the need to quickly scan the code for payment, Wi-Fi connection or clicking on a link. However, the standard camera does not always automatically recognize these graphics tags, which is puzzling for users accustomed to instant reactions of the gadget. The problem lies in the features of the shell MIUI or the new HyperOS, where scanning functions can be separated on different menus or require manual activation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to activate the scanner, from the basic settings of the camera application to the system utilities that are hidden in the depths of the menu. You will learn why the lens stopped responding to codes after the update and how to return this feature in one click. Importantly, on some global firmware versions, the native scanner in the camera can be replaced with Google Lens, which requires a separate set of access rights.
We’ll look at not only software solutions, but also the nuances of working with different versions of the operating system. Understanding how your smartphone processes graphics data will help avoid errors when scanning corrupted or non-standard codes. Read on to turn your phone into a universal tool for working with digital tags.
Built-in scanning function in the Camera app
The most obvious and quick way to activate the readout is to use the standard Camera app, which in most cases already contains the module you need, but by default it can be disabled or hidden in the interface. First, launch the app and carefully inspect the top panel or side menu, where additional shooting modes are usually located.
If you don't see the scanner icon, you go to settings. Click on three horizontal bars in the corner of the screen and select Settings. In the list that opens, look for the object recognition or Google Lens section, and that's where the switch that activates real-time image analysis is.
Once this option is enabled, point the lens to the code. The system automatically determines the label boundaries and prompts you to perform an action: open a link, copy text or add a contact. Note that a stable Internet connection is required for proper operation, since data processing often takes place on servers.
- 📸 Click on the Modes icon at the bottom of the camera screen.
- 🔍 Select “Google Lens” or “Scanner” from the list of available modes.
- ⚙️ If there is no mode, go to the camera settings and activate “Recognition” QR».
- 🌐 Make sure the application has access to the internet to process data.
⚠️ Note: When using Google Lens, your images may be sent to Google servers for analysis. If you are scanning sensitive documents, it is better to use offline scanners.
Use of a system security scanner
In the shells MIUI And HyperOS has a separate system application that users often ignore, but it's very useful, called Security, and it has a built-in virus scanner, memory cleanup, and, importantly for us, a module for the system to be used for the security of the system. QR-This tool is faster than the camera because it's designed to read data, not to take photos.
To find it, open the Tools folder on your desktop or search the system by typing the word "Scanner." Once you run the app, you'll see a large scan button in the center of the screen, which is especially useful if the phone's camera is contaminated or the focus is slow, since the security scanner is less demanding on image quality.
And it's also often advanced, like creating your own codes or scanning from a gallery, so you can take a photo of the tag and then select it from the scanner through the Gallery button, which is indispensable when you need to read code from another device's screen or from a screenshot sent to the messenger.
☑️ Checking the operation of the security scanner
Customize widgets and shortcuts for quick access
For those who use scanning all the time, every extra click on the screen becomes an irritant. Android, in conjunction with MIUI, allows you to bring the scanning function to the same level as the volume control buttons or flashlight, this is done through the control panel or the lock screen.
The first option is to add a widget to your desktop. Hold your finger on the blank spot of the screen, select "Widgets" and find "Scanner" in the list. Drag it to the home screen. Now you just need one touch to start the function, which is especially convenient on large smartphones, where reaching to the top menu is inconvenient.
The second, more advanced method is to use a sidebar or floating windows. In the system settings, find the Special Options section and activate the Sidebar. Add the scanner shortcut to that, and now, by swiping your finger from the edge of the screen in any application, you can instantly call the scanner over the open window without interrupting the current task.
| Access method | Launch speed | Demands the Internet. | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appendix Camera | Medium | Yes (for Google Lens) | Always. |
| Security Annex | Tall. | No (basic reading) | Always. |
| A widget on the desktop | Very high. | Depends on the app. | Tune in. |
| Lock screen | Maximum | No. | Only new versions of MIUI |
Solving Focus and Recognition Problems
There are times when the function is on, but the phone stubbornly doesn't see the code, and often the reason is physical obstacles: greasy fingerprints on the lens or a low-quality security glass can distort the image, making it unreadable by algorithms.
Another common problem is distance. Modern smartphones have a minimal focusing distance. If you hold your phone too close, the image will be blurred. Try slowly moving the device away from the code until the picture is clear. In some models, manual focusing helps: tap the screen in the area of the code to capture the sharpness.
If the code is corrupted, glued to a shiny surface, or printed in fine print, standard algorithms may not work, in which case try changing the angle of the phone to remove glare, or increase the lighting. You can also use the zoom function, but remember that digital zoom reduces quality and can worsen recognition.
What to do if the code is damaged?
Third-party applications for complex cases
When Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerless, third-party solutions from Google Play come to the rescue. There are many specialized applications that use more powerful decoding algorithms, which can read corrupted, inverted or partially closed codes that the system camera ignores.
One popular solution is Gamma Play's QR & Barcode Scanner app or Kaspersky's analogues, which are low-resolution and run in the background, and it makes sense if you often work with industrial labels, old tickets or low-contrast codes.
However, be careful when choosing third-party software. Many free scanners are overloaded with advertising or require access to contacts and geolocation without needing; Choose applications with high ratings and a minimum set of requests for permissions; tools from well-known antivirus vendors are best suited.
- 🛡️ Choose applications from trusted developers (Kaspersky, Bitdefender).
- 🚫 Refuse installation if the scanner requires access to a microphone or SMS.
- ⚡ Use lightweight versions of apps without built-in browsers.
- 🔄 Regularly update the database of viral links in the application.
⚠️ Note: Never follow the links from QR-Attackers can create code that leads to a phishing site that visually copies a bank or social media page.
💡
Tip: Before scanning the payment code, make sure the amount and recipient in the bank app match what you expect to see. QR-The code may contain a command to transfer money to a specific person, rather than simply to pay for goods.
Security when scanning unknown codes
The convenience of technology also carries risks. QR-The code is just an encrypted link or command, and when you point the camera, the phone reads that command, and if there's a malicious link in the code, clicking on it can cause the device to be infected or stolen. MIUI have built-in protection to warn about dangerous sites, but it is not all-powerful.
Always pay attention to the address of the site that appears in the pop-up window before you go. If you scan the code in the cafe for the menu, the link should lead to a known domain or be short (for example, via bit.ly), but the address with a set of random characters looks suspicious. In such cases, it is better to enter the address manually or ask the waiter for a paper menu.
There are also codes that don't just open a website, but try to immediately start installing an app or perform an action in the messenger. Android will ask for confirmation to open the app. If you haven't initiated the installation consciously, always answer "Cancel." This digital hygiene rule should become a habit for every smartphone owner.
💡
Security comes first: Xiaomi’s built-in scanners automatically check for links to viruses, but human vigilance is the last and most important frontier of protection.