Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just devices for calling and have become universal tools for solving everyday tasks. One of the most popular features that users use daily is the ability to read barcodes and other devices. QR-Whether it’s paying in a store, logging into a friend’s Wi-Fi network, or authenticating a product, your Xiaomi or Redmi camera is ready to go at any moment. However, unlike some other brands, Xiaomi doesn’t have a single “scan” button prominently, which sometimes causes confusion among newcomers.
MIUI and the new HyperOS have several different ways to activate the scanner, each with its own advantages: you can use a built-in system app, a desktop widget, or even a voice assistant, and understanding these nuances will allow you to significantly speed up your interaction with the digital world and stop wasting time searching for the right program on the menu.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the scanning methods available, compare their effectiveness, and look at possible recognition problems. You will learn how to set up fast camera access and what permissions are needed to properly work the function.
Use of the built-in Mi Scanner application
The most reliable and functional way to read data is to use the regular Mi Scanner application, which is pre-installed in the Tools folder and optimized for the hardware of Xiaomi smartphones, which is able not only to read the code, but also to analyze its contents, suggesting appropriate actions: open a link, add a contact or show the product.
To run an app, you need to find its desktop icon. If you don't see it right away, check the folder with system utilities. Once you open it, you'll see a viewfinder that automatically focuses on the code. The Mi Scanner app works without an Internet connection for basic code reading, but you'll need an active connection to search for products or translate text, which makes it a handy tool when traveling abroad, where roaming can be expensive.
The scanner interface offers several modes of operation, which can be swiped or clicked on the buttons at the bottom of the screen. You can select the mode "Product", "Document", "Translation" or "QR-This flexibility allows you to use one program for many tasks without cluttering the phone memory with unnecessary downloads from the app store.
⚠️ Warning: When you first start up Mi Scanner, be sure to provide access to the camera and geolocation. Without camera permission, scanning is impossible, and geolocation is necessary for the search around function and some sorting of goods.
Quick access via the widget on the desktop
If running an app seems like a long process every time, Xiaomi’s Android offers a faster option, a widget. By placing it on the home screen, you can run the scanner with one touch, bypassing the menu search, especially for those who use scanning codes for payment or authorization several times a day.
To add a widget, you need to pinch the empty area on your desktop with your finger before the edit menu appears. At the bottom of the screen, select "Widgets." In the list that opens, find the "Scanner" or "Mi Scanner" section. Select the design you like and drag it to the free screen space. Now access to the scanning function takes a fraction of a second.
There are different sizes of widgets, from a small button to a large square with information. Some widgets can display scan history or the last codes used, which improves the usability. You can place multiple widgets if you use different scanning modes most often.
☑️ Quick access settings
Scanning through the Camera and Google Lens app
Many users are unaware that the standard Camera app on Xiaomi smartphones can also recognize codes, although this feature is often hidden or implemented through integration with Google services. MIUI pointing QR-The code can be popped up by a yellow Google Lens icon, and clicking on it instantly processes the code.
If automatic recognition doesn't work, check the camera's settings. Go to the settings menu (three bars in the corner of the viewfinder) and look for "Document Scanner" or "Google Lens." Make sure the switch is activated. In some regions, this feature may be called "Visual Search."
Google Lens offers additional benefits, such as instant translation of text from an image or search for similar products online, a powerful tool that turns the camera into an intelligent assistant, but it is worth considering that Google Lens requires a stable Internet connection and authorization in a Google account.
Why can't the camera see the code?
Comparison of code scanning methods on Xiaomi
The best method depends on your specific tasks and smartphone usage habits, some prefer the speed of widgets, others prefer the functionality of a separate application, and to make it easier for you to determine, we have prepared a comparative table of the main ways.
| Method | Speed of access | Functional | Demands the Internet. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Scanner appendix | Medium | Maximum | Partially. |
| Widget on screen | Tall. | Basic | Depends on the code. |
| Google Lens (Camera) | Tall. | Extended (search, translation) | Yes. |
| Third-party annexes | Low. | Different. | Often yes. |
As you can see from the table, the built-in Mi Scanner app remains the middle ground, offering a balance between speed and capabilities. The widget is ideal for frequent, similar operations, such as payment in the supermarket. Google Lens is indispensable when you need not just count code, but understand its content or find information about the object.
Using third-party apps from Google Play makes sense only in highly specialized cases, when the regular funds can not cope with a certain encoding format. 99% of the time, the capabilities of Xiaomi system are more than enough for any household needs.
Setup of permissions and troubleshooting problems
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the scanner is running, but the code is not read or the application gives an error. Most often the problem lies in missing resolutions. Android system strictly controls the access of applications to hardware components, and the camera is no exception.
To check your settings, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Scanner or Mi Scanner list. Click on App Permissions. Make sure that Camera is allowed (it ticks "Allow"). It's also helpful to allow storage access if you plan to scan codes from saved images in the gallery.
⚠️ Warning: If after giving all permissions, the camera in the scanner shows a black screen, try rebooting the smartphone.This will reset the camera driver and often resolve software conflicts.
Another common cause of failure is contamination of the lens of the main camera. Wipe the top of the smartphone with a soft cloth. Also, problems can occur when using protective glasses with a thick frame that overlaps the focus sensor or flash used to illuminate code in the dark.
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To scan for damaged or poorly printed codes, turn on the flash function in the scanner settings or use another phone’s flashlight for better contrast illumination.
Security when scanning unknown codes
Barcodes and QR-The codes may contain not only links to sites, but also executable commands, such as adding a contact, connecting to Wi-Fi, or even launching an application installation. Attackers can place malicious code in public places, counting on the carelessness of users.
Always pay attention to URL-If a link leads to a strange domain, contains many random characters or promises an incredible win, clicking on it is strongly discouraged. Xiaomi has a built-in security guard that can alert you to danger, but human alertness remains a major barrier.
Don’t let apps automatically click on links without your confirmation. In the MIUI security settings, you can enable Fraud Protection mode, which checks links through a database of malicious sites before opening, which will add another layer of protection to your data.
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The first principle of security is to never enter personal data and passwords on sites opened through scanned code unless you are 100% sure of its origin.