Modern Xiaomi smartphones, working on the basis of shells MIUI And HyperOS, which offers users a variety of ways to interact with digital content, remains one of the most popular features. QR-But often, you have codes that are used to quickly log in to applications, pay for services, or click on links, but often the code you want is not on paper, but on your device's display, whether it's in a correspondence, browser, or file you receive.
The traditional method of pointing the camera at the phone itself can be uncomfortable, require the help of a second person, or simply impossible due to glare and poor focus. Fortunately, Xiaomi’s ecosystem provides several native solutions that allow you to read code without leaving the screen, which greatly speeds up the process and eliminates unnecessary manipulation of the device.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to scan. QR-code from the smartphone screen, using the built-in features of the system, the Gallery application and the Google Lens service. You will learn about the nuances of working with different versions of firmware and understand which method will be most effective in your situation. We will also look at possible recognition problems and how to solve them.
Use of built-in scanner in the Gallery application
The most obvious and often ignored way is to use the standard Gallery app. Unlike many other Android smartphones, the shell is the same as the one used by the users. MIUI It can automatically analyze images for the presence of QR-You don't have to install third-party apps or make complex adjustments to the codes as soon as they're opened.
The process is as simple as possible: find an image with the code in the phone's memory and open it. The system recognizes the code structure and suggests an action. If the code contains a link, a transition button will appear; if it's Wi-Fi data, a suggestion to connect. This works thanks to the background image analysis processes integrated into MIUI.
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For best results, make sure that the image in the gallery is clear and the code occupies a significant part of the frame.
It's worth noting that automatic recognition may not work if the image was heavily compressed when sent or has a non-standard format, in which case the system may ignore the presence of the code, and you will have to use the other methods described below.
Scanning through Google Lens (Google Lens)
If the built-in gallery doesn’t do the job, Google Lens (formerly Google Lens) comes to the rescue, and is integrated into most modern Xiaomi smartphones, allowing you to analyze the contents of the screen in real time or in static images, one of the most versatile ways to work with visual information.
To use this method, open an image with the code in any program to view a photo or take a screenshot of the desired area. Then click on the "Share" button or find the lens icon in the interface. The system will suggest analyzing the image, then highlight QR-Google algorithms often do better than embedded tools, especially with complex or corrupt codes.
One of the great advantages of using Google Lens is that you can edit the scanning area, so you can use your fingers to highlight the specific area of the screen where the code is located, cutting out the extra details that might interfere with recognition, which is especially useful if the code is in a complex infographic or banner.
Screenshot and scanning function in MIUI
Shell MIUI And one of the things that I know about this is that it's a very unique feature, and one of them is the quick scan function, right after you take a screenshot, and when you take a screenshot, you have a thumbnail in the corner, and if you click on it and you select the "More" option or the scanner icon, the system will try to find it in the image. QR-code.
This feature is especially handy when you see code in a browser or app and you need to click on the link quickly.You don't have to save the image to the gallery - everything happens in the clipboard or temporary storage.
☑️ Quick scanning algorithm
However, this method has its limitations: the feature can be turned off by default in some versions of the firmware or require an Internet connection to analyze content. In addition, on older models of smartphones, image processing can take several seconds, which creates a sense of delay.
Comparison of scanning methods on Xiaomi
The best way to do this depends on the situation, the model of your smartphone, and the quality of the original image, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we've developed a basic method comparison table that will help you understand which tool is best to use in different environments.
| Method | Speed of operation | precision | We need the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI Gallery | Tall. | Medium | Not always. |
| Google lens | Medium | Very high. | Yes. |
| Screenshot + scanner | Tall. | Tall. | Yes. |
| Third-party annexes | Depends on the software. | Tall. | No. |
As you can see from the table, Google Lens leads in recognition accuracy, especially if the code is corrupted or has a non-standard design. The built-in gallery benefits in speed and autonomy, as it often works without requesting servers. Third-party applications should be considered only in extreme cases when the usual funds fail.
Users of budget models of the Redmi or Poco series with less RAM are recommended to start with the gallery, so as not to load the system with heavy services of Google. Owners of the flagship Xiaomi and Xiaomi Pro lines can safely use any methods without losing performance.
Use of third-party applications and services
In situations where MIUI and Google services can't recognize code, specialized apps from the Play Market come to the rescue. There are many scanners that can work not only with the camera, but also with images from the gallery, and they often have more flexible contrast and zoom settings.
Popular applications like QR & Barcode Scanner or Binary Eye allow you to download a picture directly from the program interface, which is useful if the code is very small or has low contrast, and such programs can force you to sharpen or invert colors to read data successfully.
⚠️ Be careful when installing third-party scanners, many of which require excessive permissions, such as access to contacts, microphone or geolocation, which are not necessary for simple work with the user. QR-Choose applications with a high rating and a minimum set of rights.
Using specialized software is justified if you work with a large amount of encrypted information or specific formats that are not supported by standard means. However, for everyday tasks, such as logging in to Wi-Fi or paying, there are enough features built into Android and MIUI.
Solution: Why the code is not scanned
Even with advanced algorithms, there can be recognition errors, most often the problem is image quality, if the screenshot is taken at low resolution or the code has been greatly reduced as the page zooms in, the software may not see the edge markers.
Another reason could be damage to the code structure or glare if you decide to take a picture of the screen with another device. If you are working with an image on the screen, try zooming before you create a screenshot so that the code occupies a larger area and is clearer.
What to do if the code is encrypted or damaged?
It’s also worth checking if the system blocks access to the clipboard or file system for the scanner application. HyperOS privacy settings may have restrictions that prevent image analysis.
Security when scanning codes from the screen
Scanning. QR-There are risks associated with codes, especially those from unknown sources, that can lead to a phishing site that masquerades as a bank login page or social network. URL-The address that appears before you click, even if you scan the code from your trusted device screen.
Embedded scanners in Xiaomi and Google have protection against known threats, but it does not guarantee 100% security (APK-Bypassing the Play Market, stop doing this. This is a common way to spread malware.
⚠️ Warning: Never enter your personal data, passwords or bank card details on sites opened through the QR-code if you are not sure of its origin by 150% Fraudsters often use short links that hide the real address.
For added security, you can use online link checkers before you click, copy the address from the scan result (without clicking on it) and check it through special services like VirusTotal, which will take a couple of minutes, but will save your data.