How to find and enable a scanner in a Xiaomi phone: hidden functions and life hacks

You're trying to scan. QR-A code, barcode or document on your Xiaomi but can't find the built-in scanner? Or maybe your device doesn't recognize codes through the camera like iPhones do? Don't rush to download third-party apps - 90% of the time the desired feature is already hidden in the firmware MIUI, It just needs to be activated properly.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to find a scanner on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from standard tools to hidden chips in the engineering menu, and why sometimes the scanner “disappears” after an update and how to return it. If you’re a MIUI 12/13/14 or HyperOS user, here are the latest instructions for the latest changes in the interface.

1. Standard scanner QR-code MIUI: Where to look and how to use

Most modern Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in scanner QR-It's integrated directly into the Camera app, but it depends on the firmware version and regional settings:

Open the standard Camera app and point the lens at QR-If the function is active, a notification will appear at the top of the screen asking you to click on the link, and if nothing happens, then the scanner is disabled or missing from your version. MIUI.

• 🔍 MIUI 14/HyperOS: The scanner works out of the box on all models, starting with the Redmi Note. 11 Xiaomi 12. Just point the camera at the code.
• ⚙️ MIUI 12/13: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3) You need to enable the function manually in the camera settings.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: On firmware for China (China) ROM) The scanner may be missing due to censorship.

If the scanner doesn’t work automatically, try:

1. Restart your phone – sometimes the feature “hangs” after the upgrade.
2. Check the permissions for the Camera application in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Permissions.
3. Update your firmware to the latest version (relevant to MIUI 14+).

2.Hidden scanner in Quick Settings: How to add a shortcut

Few people know, but MIUI has a separate scan module that you can put into the Quick Settings panel, which is convenient if you scan codes often and don't want to open the camera every time.

Instructions for adding a label:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit (or hold any Quick Settings icon).
3. Find the scanner module (or «QR-code) and drag it to the active area.
4. Save the changes.

Now, when you swipe down, you'll see a separate scanner button. Importantly, some models (like the Redmi 9A) may not have that module, so use alternative methods in the following sections.

Label added to panel |Camera opens when pressed |Codes are recognized automatically |No errors in scanning-->

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI for the European Region (EEA) The scanner in quick settings may be blocked due to privacy policy.In this case, use the method with Google Lens (see section 4).

Document and Barcode Scanner: Where to Hide in MIUI

Besides QR-Xiaomi smartphones can scan barcodes of goods and even documents (passports, driver's license) for text recognition. This feature is hidden deeper, but it can be activated through the use of a computer:

• 📄 Scanner app: Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro) have a separate Scanner app in the app menu (OCR) preservation PDF.
• 🛒 Mi Pay: The Mi Pay app (if installed) has a built-in barcode scanner to pay for goods.
• 🔎 Google search: Google Lens widget on the home screen can scan barcodes and show product information.

For scanning documents:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Document Mode (if you have one in your model).
3. Hover the camera over the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries and prompt you to save the file to PDF.

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If your model doesn’t have a built-in document scanner, use Google Drive: open the app, click + → Scan and scan the document with automatic text recognition.

4. Alternative ways: Google Lens and third-party applications

If the built-in scanner in MIUI doesn’t work or doesn’t work, you can always use alternatives, and the most versatile option is Google Lens, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi devices with Google services.

How to Scan Through Google Lens:

1. Hold the Google app icon on the home screen.
2. Select Lens from the menu that appears.
3. Put the camera on QR-code.
4. To recognize text, click on the Text icon in the bottom panel.

If Google Lens is not available (for example, on China ROM), install it from Google Play or use one of the verified apps:

• 📱 QR & Barcode Scanner (from Gamma Play) – lightweight ad-free app that supports scan history.
• 🛒 Barcode Scanner (from ZXing Team) - open source, works offline.
• 📄 CamScanner – for scanning documents with export to the PDF (There is a free version with watermarks).

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party scanners, check permissions! some applications (e.g, QR Code Reader from unknown developers request access to contacts and SMS — This is unnecessary for scanning and may be a sign of spyware.

5 Why the scanner disappeared after the update and how to return it

One of the most common problems is the scanner disappearing after the MIUI update, which is due to Xiaomi sometimes removing or migrating features between firmware versions.

• 🔄 Update to MIUI 14/HyperOS: The scanner could move from the camera to quick settings (see section) 2).
• 🌐 Change the firmware region: If you have stitched Global ROM china ROM, Some features (including the scanner) may disappear.
• 🛠️ Cache cleanup: Sometimes cleaning the Camera app cache in settings helps.
• 📱 Resetting: In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (but do a backup first!).

If the scanner is missing after upgrading to HyperOS (the new shell from Xiaomi), try:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Storage.
2. Click Clear cache and Clear data.
3. Reboot the phone.
4. Check the scanner again.

6.Secret scanner features: what else does your Xiaomi know

Xiaomi’s built-in scanner can do more than read QR-Here are some hidden possibilities that few people know about:

• 🔗 Wi-Fi scanning QR: Put the camera on QR-Wi-Fi code (e.g. in a cafe) – the phone will automatically connect without entering a password.
• 📞 Calls on QR: Some messengers (such as WhatsApp) generate QR-codes for quick addition of contact. MIUI Identify them and ask them to save the number.
• 💳 Payment through QR: In China and some Asian countries, the scanner is integrated with Mi Pay and allows you to pay directly through the camera.
• 📍 Geolocation: QR-coordinate codes (e.g., in navigators) open directly in Google Maps or Baidu Maps.

On models with HyperOS appeared a new function – scanning several QR-This is convenient, for example, when inventorying goods or checking tickets.

To activate this mode:

1. Open the Camera and go to the settings (cog in the top corner).
2. Find the Continuous Scan option (or Batch Scan in English).
3. Turn on the switch.

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The Xiaomi scanner can recognize not only links, but also contacts, calendar events, Wi-Fi data and even geolocation – use it as a versatile tool for quickly entering information.

7 Problems with the scanner: errors and their solutions

If the scanner is not working properly (does not recognize codes, gives out errors or freezes), here are the list of problems and their solutions:

If none of these methods worked, check firmware integrity, sometimes scanner errors are associated with corrupted system files.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Click on the MIUI version several times until you get a message: You are a developer!
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the System Integrity Check option and run it.

Frequently asked questions