How to scan. QR-Xiaomi screen code: all ways to MIUI

Scanning. QR-code from the screen of another device on Xiaomi smartphones often causes difficulties: a standard scanner in the camera does not always recognize codes from displays due to glare, low contrast or software limitations, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13T, where MIUI This article will cover 5 working methods, from embedded tools to workarounds, including settings for different versions. MIUI 12–15 and Android 10–14.

It’s important to understand that the problem is not hardware, but software constraints. Manufacturers (including Xiaomi) make it harder to scan codes from the screen to prevent fraud, such as intercepting payment QRs or phishing through fake pages. However, for legitimate tasks (wi-fi portability, messenger authorization), these restrictions create inconveniences. Next, proven methods that work even on budget models like the Redmi A2 or POCO M6 Pro.

Why Xiaomi is blocking QR scans from the screen?

In 2022, Xiaomi, along with other manufacturers (including Samsung and Huawei), signed an agreement with banks to block scanning of payment systems. QR-This is due to the increase in fraud, where attackers showed victims fake codes for translations, but the blocking also affects harmless scenarios:

• 🔄 Transfer Wi-Fi settings between devices
• 📱 Authorization in Telegram, WhatsApp or VK through QR
• 🎫 Scanning tickets or passports from another phone
• 🔗 Connecting to smart devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Band)

Technically, the restriction is implemented at the level MIUI Camera: upon detection QR-The app ignores the code on the screen (by analyzing pixels), or shows the error "Code failed to recognize." This can be avoided in several ways, from changing the camera settings to using third-party scanners.

Method 1: Enable the Scan from Screen mode in the MIUI Camera

The latest versions of MIUI 14-15 (starting with Xiaomi 12 and Redmi Note 11) have a hidden option that allows you to unlock the scan from the screen. It is not available on all models, but it is worth checking for it:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to Additional Mode (or Depending on the version).
3. Select the scanner. QR-code.
4. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
5. Activate the Allow Screen Scan (or Scan QR from the Display) switch.

If you don't have an option, your model doesn't support it at the software level, so move on to the following methods. On some firmware (e.g., global MIUI for POCO F5), this feature may be called "Enable Screen QR" and hidden in advanced settings.

Increase the brightness of the screen on both devices to 100%|

Turn off adaptive brightness in settings|

Set maximum contrast (in screen settings)|

Place the devices at right angles (90)°) each other-->

Method 2: Google Lens (on 90% of devices)

Google Lens is a versatile tool that bypasses the limitations of MIUI. It is built into Google Photos and Google Assistant, but it is more convenient to use a separate application to scan QR:

1. Install Google Lens from the Play Market (if not installed).
2. Open the app and point the camera at QR-screen-code.
3. Wait for the “Click to scan the code” prompt to appear (usually in 1-2 seconds).
4. Tap the notification – the link will open in the browser.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 It works on all versions of Android 8.0+ (including Redmi 9A and POCO M3).
• 🔹 It recognizes even small or damaged codes.
• 🔹 No root rights or changes to the system.

⚠️ Note: If Google Lens does not recognize the code, try to take a screenshot from the screen. QR And you can upload it to the app through the gallery, and this works 80 percent of the time when the camera doesn't see the code directly.

Method 3: Screenshot + Online Scanner (for complex cases)

If QR-The code is displayed on the screen of another device (for example, iPhone or MacBook), and scan directly is not possible, use a workaround:

1. Take a screenshot of the screen with QR-code-device.
2. Send it to Xiaomi via Telegram, WhatsApp or Mi Drop.
3. Open the image in the gallery and use one of the methods: 📷 Press Share. → Scanner. QR (into MIUI 14+). 🔍 Open the image in Google Photos and select Lens. 🌐 Upload a screenshot to a scanner site, such as ZXing Decoder.

This is a guaranteed method, but it requires additional action, and it's particularly useful for scanning codes from the computer. PDF-documents or web pages where it is impossible to point the camera.

Method 4: Third-party scanner apps (TOP-3 for Xiaomi)

If the built-in tools don’t work, install one of the specialized apps, and we tested them on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X4 GT – all work stably:

• 🥇 QR & Barcode Scanner (by Gamma Play) ✅ Recognises codes from the screen 95% of the time. ✅ Lightweight (5 MB), no advertising. ❌ Requires permission for the camera.
• 🥈 Kaspersky QR Scanner ✅ Checking phishing references. ✅ It's offline. ❌ Slower than analogues.
• 🥉 Barcode Scanner (by ZXing Team) ✅ Open source code. ✅ Supports the damaged QR. ❌ Outdated interface.

To avoid security issues, download apps only from Google Play and check the number of downloads (should be >1M).

1. Open the app and allow access to the camera.
2. Point the lens at QR-screen-code.
3. Wait for vibration or sound signal - the code is recognized.

⚠️ Note: Some scanners (e.g, QR Scan Inc.'s Code Reader may collect data about scanned codes. Read the privacy policy before installing!

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If the scanner doesn't recognize the code, try reducing the brightness of the source device's screen to 50-70%. Too bright light can "glow" the pixels. QR-code, making it unreadable.

Method 5: Bypassing Developer Modes (for Advanced)

This is a way for users who are willing to change their system settings, and it's based on disabling the camera optimization for the system. QR-code:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times in a row.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Disable Camera Optimization (or Disable Camera HAL Optimizations) and activate it.
4. Reset the device.
5. Try scanning. QR-standard-camera.

It's about 60 percent effective, and it works better on Snapdragon processors (like POCO F4) than on MediaTek (Redmi 10C). If it doesn't work, you can return the settings to their original state.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the working methods, users are faced with typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔦 Code not recognized: Make sure there is no glare on the screen. Try changing the angle of the devices or use an external light source.
• 📵 Camera not focusing: Wash the lens with a soft cloth. If the problem persists, check the autofocus settings in the camera app.
• 🔒 MIUI Blocks scanning: Update your firmware to the latest version or use third-party scanners (see Method 4).
• ⚠️ Phishing warning: Don't ignore it! check source QR-If the code is from a trusted site (such as Wi-Fi or Telegram), confirm the action.

If you scan often QR-And if you have the codes on the screen, add the scanner widget to the home screen:

1. Press and hold the free space on the screen.
2. Pick the Widgets.
3. Find the QR Scanner widget (in MIUI 14+) and drag it to the screen.

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On devices with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) QR-codes are less recognized because of the black color, in which case you can increase the size of the code on the source device or use Google Lens.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions