How to Find and Use a Scanner in a Xiaomi Phone: A Complete 2026 Guide

You just bought a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone. POCO You can’t find where the built-in scanner is hidden. QR-Or suddenly they found that the icon had disappeared after the update. MIUI? Do not rush to install third-party applications – in 90% of cases, the desired function is already built into the system, simply hidden in an unobvious place.

In this article, we will explore all the possible ways to activate the scanner on Xiaomi devices (including models from 2020-2026), explain why the feature may disappear after updates, and show alternative methods of scanning if the standard tool refuses to work, and also reveal little-known features, such as how to scan documents in high resolution or recognize text from photos without additional programs.

Where's the scanner? QR-standard-code MIUI

In most of the Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the MIUI 10 and newer) scanner QR-It's built right into the camera and the notification panel, but it depends on the shell version and the device model:

If you have Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12 or POCO F4/F5 s MIUI 13/14, piece:

1. Quick access through the curtain: swipe from top to bottom to open the notification bar, and find the scanner icon (icon) QR-If it's not there, tap it on a pencil (Edit) and add the widget manually.
2. Using the Camera app: Open the camera, go to Additional (or More) mode and select Scanner QR.

On older models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO X3 s MIUI (12) the path may differ:

• 📱 Through the camera: swipe right in the camera interface to open Scanner mode.
• 🔍 Through Search: Swipe your finger down the main screen, type “scanner” in the search bar and select Scanner QR-code.
• ⚙️ Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Scanner (if the function is performed separately).

If none of these things work, check if the scanner is disabled in the system settings.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the scanner or QR Scanner on the list.
3. Make sure the application is not disabled (the Enable button must be active).

How to scan documents and recognize text (OCR) non-partisan

Few people know, but in MIUI 12.5+ There is a built-in function of scanning documents with the ability to recognize text (OCR). It is hidden in the Notes app and works without internet for major languages (including Russian).

To scan the document:

1. Open the Notes app (yellow notebook icon).
2. Click on the icon. + in the lower right corner and select Scan of the document.
3. Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries and take a picture.
4. Click Ready, then select Recognise Text to convert the image into editable text.

The function supports formats PDF, JPG and PNG, also allows:

• 📄 Save scans to the Mi Cloud cloud;
• 🔎 Search for text inside scanned documents;
• 🖼️ Edit scan boundaries manually;
• 🌐 Recognise text at 10+ languages (including Chinese and English).

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If the function OCR If it doesn't work, check if the system settings have the primary language as Russian or English.

For more advanced tasks (such as scanning your passport or driver's license with automatic field filling), you will need to use third-party applications like CamScanner or Adobe Scan. However, for most household needs, the built-in tool in Notes is quite enough.

Why the scanner disappeared after the update MIUI And how to get it back.

One of the most common problems is that the scanner icon is missing after a firmware update, which is because Xiaomi regularly moves or removes underutilized features in new versions. MIUI. Here are the main reasons and ways of solving:

If the scanner is missing after the upgrade MIUI 14, try resetting the launcher settings:

1. Click the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Screen Settings (or Launcher Settings).
3. Click Reset settings and restart the phone.

In the firmware MIUI European region (EEA) scanner QR-The code can be replaced by Google Lens on demand. EU In this case, the original Xiaomi scanner can only be returned via flashing to the global or Chinese version. MIUI.

Barcode Scanner: Where to Look and How to Use

Unlike in the QR-codes, barcode scanning (EAN-13, UPC) Xiaomi is not so obvious, and the standard scanner in the curtain or the camera doesn't always recognize barcodes:

Method 1: Using Google Lens

1. Install Google Lens from Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app and point the camera at the barcode.
3. The system will automatically determine the type of code and suggest actions (for example, search for goods on the Internet).

Method 2: Xiaomi’s Scanner app (hidden feature)

In some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for Xiaomi 11T) Barcode scanner is activated via Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Barcode scanner. If there's no item, use Method 1.

Method 3: Third-party applications

• 🛒 Barcode Scanner (ZXing Team) – supports all barcode formats;
• 📦 ShopSavvy – for comparison of prices by barcode;
• 🍎 Foodvisor – recognizes the barcodes of products and shows the nutritional value.

Make sure the code is not dented and clearly visible.|

Turn on good lighting (muffled light interferes with reading)|

Keep the camera parallel to the code at a distance of 10-15 cm|

Turn off power saving (in battery settings) if scanning slows down

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If you need to scan barcodes regularly (for example, for inventory), look for professional applications like Inventory Scanner or Barcode to. PC, Exporting data to Excel or Google Sheets.

Security: How to Check: QR-code before opening a link

QR-codes may contain dangerous links leading to phishing sites or downloading malware. MIUI There's a built-in security, but it doesn't always work:

Step 1: Enable a security check

1. Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Security QR.
2. Activate the option to check links before opening.

Step 2: Use secure scanners

• 🔒 Kaspersky QR Scanner – checks links through antivirus databases;
• 🛡️ Bitdefender Scanner – Blocks Fraudulent Websites;
• 🌐 VirusTotal - downloading QR c-service.

Step 3: Manual inspection

If you're scanning. QR-code in a public place (such as a cafe or poster), do not open the link immediately:

1. Copy. URL scanner.
2. Insert it into a service like VirusTotal or Google Transparency Report.
3. Check if the domain is labeled as dangerous.

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Never scan. QR-codes that suggest entering usernames/passwords, even if they look like official ones (e.g., “Mi Account Login”). Xiaomi never requests data in this way!

Be especially careful about QR-codes that:

• 🚨 Requests proof of personal data;
• 💳 They offer to pay for something immediately after the scan;
• 📱 Redirected to download APK-file.

Hidden chips of the scanner in Xiaomi: which you did not know

Xiaomi’s built-in scanner can do more than read QR-Here are some useful features that are rarely mentioned in the instructions:

1. Wi-Fi scanning QR-code

You can share your Wi-Fi network without entering a password:

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the connected network and select Share QR-code.
3. The guest can scan the code and automatically connect to the network.

Recognition of serial numbers of equipment

The scanner in Xiaomi can read serial numbers from stickers on household appliances (for example, on Xiaomi Mi Router routers or Yeelight smart lamps). QR On the box - the system will suggest adding the device to the Mi Home.

3. Quick translation of text from photographs

If you need to translate a text from a sign or menu:

1. Scan it. QR-code with text (or take a photo).
2. In the scan results, tap the Translate icon (if any).
3. Select languages to translate (works through Google Translate).

4.The establishment of their own QR-code

In the Scanner app (or through Google Lens), you can not only read, but also generate QR-code:

• 📋 For text or notes;
• 📞 For contacts (business card);
• 🌍 For geolocation (place coordinates);
• 🔗 For links to websites or applications.

💡

QR-Xiaomi's Wi-Fi codes contain an encrypted password, but don't show it in plain sight.

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

Even if the Xiaomi scanner works correctly, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.

⚠️ Note: If the scanner is no longer recognizing QR-If you have codes after the phone falls, the problem may be damage to the camera.

If the scanner stopped working after resetting, try:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings → About the phone → System Update).
2. Clear the Camera and Scanner app cache in the settings.
3. Install an alternative launcher (such as Nova Launcher) if the problem is in the shell.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions