Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face a paradoxical situation: the camera device is equipped with powerful algorithms of artificial intelligence, but a separate icon “Scanner” disappears from the desktop after updating the firmware. Users search for where the scanner on Xiaomi is to scan QR-code, translate text from a photo or recognize a document, but a standard menu MIUI HyperOS hides this feature in the depth of system settings or combines it with other utilities.
This is not a bug, but a feature of interface optimization that confuses even power users. Google Lens and built-in image recognition modules have not gone anywhere, they just changed their “registration”. In this article, we will examine all possible ways to access the scanner, from desktop widgets to hidden functions in the Camera application, and also consider alternative ways to scan without installing third-party software.
Understanding MIUI architecture will help you not only find the tool you want, but also set it up to work as fast as possible. You will learn how to create a scanner shortcut on your desktop if it is missing, and what system permissions are needed to properly work text recognition and barcodes. Let's figure out where this useful tool is hiding in your smartphone model.
System application "Scanner" and its location
In the classic shell MIUI There was a separate application called the Scanner, which was responsible for reading. QR-But in recent firmware versions, especially in HyperOS and global versions, MIUI 14, developers often integrate the scanner functionality directly into the Camera app or hide it in the Tools folder. If you can't see the scanner icon, first check the Tools folder on your desktop.
The second option is to search through system search, swipe down the center of the screen (or up, depending on the navigation settings) to open a global search, type in the word "Scanner" or "Scanner." If the application is present in the system but hidden, the search will find it. Often, the shortcut is deleted by the user accidentally, but the application itself remains in the memory of the phone.
⚠️ Note: If the search does not find the Scanner app, it may have been removed or disabled in the application settings. In some regional firmware versions (e.g. India or Europe), the functionality may be called differently or replaced by Google Lens.
To return the remote system scanner, you can use the settings menu. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list, find the Scanner or Mi Scanner. If you find it there but it is not on the desktop, try clearing the app cache or creating a new shortcut through the application management menu. Also, check if it is disabled: if the Enable button is active, press it.
Using the camera as the primary scanner
The fastest and most affordable way to scan QR-The code or barcode in Xiaomi is to use the built-in algorithms of the main camera. You don't have to look for a separate application, just run a standard camera. MIUI Scan mode is often enabled by default or available through the top menu of modes.
To activate the scan through the camera, open the app and swipe the bottom panel of the shooting modes to "More" or "Other." There you can find "Documents" or "Codes" mode. However, in most cases, automatic recognition works directly in "Photo" mode. Put the camera on QR-code, and the system itself will suggest clicking on the link or copy the text.
☑️ Checking camera settings for scanning
If automatic recognition doesn't work, check the settings. Click three bars in the corner of the camera screen, select Settings → Code Scanner (or similar). Make sure the switch is activated. It's also worth noting that you may need to connect to the Internet to work with text translation or object recognition, since data processing takes place on servers.
It is important to distinguish between modes: to scan documents (to get a PDF or an image with aligned edges), it is better to use a special Documents mode, and for quick links, the usual photo mode. Xiaomi’s artificial intelligence camera knows how to determine the type of content, but manual switching of modes often gives a more accurate result in poor lighting.
Google Lens integration and desktop widgets
In global firmware versions, Xiaomi is increasingly relying on Google technology. Google Lens is a powerful tool that can completely replace the built-in scanner. It's built right into the Google search widget, which is on the desktop by default. It's the most stable way to scan, working the same on all Android smartphones.
To use Google Lens, look for the Google search widget on your desktop, and to the right of the input bar, you'll have a color camera icon, and clicking on it instantly triggers scanning mode, and you can see the features here: translation of text in real time, search for goods, recognition of dog breeds, solving mathematical problems and, of course, reading QR-code.
| Function | Where to find out. | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Code scanner | Camera/Google Widget | No. |
| Translation of text | Google Lens / Camera | Internet |
| Document scanner | Documents mode | No. |
| Recognition of goods | Google Lens | Internet |
If you don't have a Google widget on your desktop, you can add it. Click on the blank space on the screen, select Widgets, search in the Google list, and add a Search or Lens widget, which will give you instant access to the scanner in one click, which is often more convenient than looking for a Xiaomi system app.
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Add the Google Lens widget to the home screen for instant access, which is often faster than looking for the hidden system app "Scanner" in the back of the menu.
Fingerprint scanner: security settings
When users ask where the scanner is, they may not be referring to the camera, but to the fingerprint sensor. In Xiaomi smartphones, the fingerprint scanner can be located in different places: in the on button (side scanner), on the back panel or under the screen. You can find the settings of this scanner in the security menu.
To set up, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → Unlock by fingerprint. Here you can add a new fingerprint, delete old data, or configure actions when you touch the scanner (such as starting a payment or opening a particular application). If the scanner has stopped responding, try restarting the device or clearing the data from the Security app.
⚠️ Warning: If the fingerprint scanner is error-prone, make sure the finger and sensor surface are dry and clean. Poor quality protective glass can block the operation of the underscreen scanners.
Some models have Accelerated Unlock, but it's less secure, and it's also worth mentioning facial recognition, which is paired with a finger scanner, and facial settings are in the same password and security menu, and the combination of these methods ensures maximum protection for your data.
Document and Text Scanning (OCR)
The document scanning feature deserves special attention. Unlike a simple photo, the Documents mode in Xiaomi's camera automatically aligns perspective, removes shadows and increases the contrast of the text, making it look like a scan made on an office MFP. You can find this mode by opening the camera and selecting More → Documents.
After shooting, the document is automatically saved in the gallery, but often users want to immediately receive a PDF or send a file. In the camera interface, after the shot, buttons are available for processing: you can select several pages to create a multi-page PDF, or use OCR (optical character recognition) to extract text from the image.
To extract text, open the scanned photo in the Gallery app. Click on the "More" button (three dots) and select "Disclose text" or "Copy text from an image." The system will highlight all the letters, and you can copy them to the clipboard, an indispensable feature for students and office workers.
Why can't the document scanner see the edge?
Third-party alternatives and problem solutions
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t work well or are not working well, the market offers many alternatives. Apps like Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens or TurboScan often provide more advanced document processing, automatic sorting and cloud storage features, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
However, before installing third-party software, try to solve the problems with the built-in scanner. Often the problem lies in the crowded cache of the Camera or Scanner application. Go to Settings → Apps → Scanner → Memory and click “Clean”. Also check for system updates in the About Phone menu.
In extreme cases, if the scanner is gone after the upgrade and is not restored, you can try resetting the application settings. This will not delete your personal photos or contacts, but will return all system applications to a state of "after-fabrication." → Annexes → Three dots in a corner → Reset application settings.
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The built-in MIUI and HyperOS functionality fully covers 95% of the needs of the average user, but for professional work with documents it is better to install a specialized application.