Xiaomi’s current smartphones, whether the flagship Ultra series or the budget Redmi, feature powerful cameras that allow you to solve many tasks that go far beyond ordinary photography. One of the most popular features for users is the ability to quickly scan various codes, documents and text blocks without having to install third-party applications. The built-in Mi Scanner tool (or simply “Scanner”) is integrated directly into the system application “Camera”, which makes the process instant and convenient.
Many device owners are unaware of the full potential of this module, using it solely for payment purposes. QR-The codes in the stores, but the system's functional. MIUI HyperOS allows you to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged pocket scanner for digitizing paper documents, translating text from foreign languages and even recognizing goods in supermarkets. Understanding the intricacies of this tool will help you save time in everyday tasks.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all available modes of operation, learn how to adjust the settings for the best quality and answer frequently asked questions of users. You will learn how to save the scanned result in the desired format and what hidden features are available in the standard software of your gadget.
Launching the scanner through the Camera app
The fastest and most obvious way to activate the scanning feature is to use the standard camera interface. On most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note and POCO F, the scanner icon is located directly in the viewfinder. It is usually located in the upper right corner or at the bottom of the screen, depending on the firmware version and orientation of the device.
If you don't see the icon on the camera's home screen, try swiping left or right on the viewfinder. In some versions of the MIUI shell, the shooting modes are put into a separate menu that opens with a swipe up or click on the "More" button. There you will find a separate scanner button that activates a specialized interface for working with code and text.
There is also an alternative method of starting, which works even when the screen is locked, if this feature has been pre-activated in the settings. By pressing a certain key combination or tapping the screen in sleep mode, you can instantly open the scanner without unlocking the phone completely, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly read the code from the computer screen or from the packaging of goods.
It's important to note that a clean lens is necessary to make the camera work properly, and even small fingerprints can lead to defocus, which can cause a clean lens. QR-Wash the lens before you start working for the best result.
Working hours: from QR-code-to-document
The scanner interface on Xiaomi devices offers several different modes, each optimized for a specific task, switching between them by swiping left or right at the bottom of the screen (or top, depending on orientation).
- 📄 Document: designed to scan A4 or smaller papers, automatically aligning perspective and improving readability.
- 🌐 Website: Classic mode for reading QR-codes leading to Internet resources.
- 🛒 Product: Uses a database to search for product information by its barcode or packaging.
- 🗣 Translation: recognizes text in the image and instantly translates it into the selected language.
Document mode deserves special attention. When it is activated, the camera automatically determines the boundaries of the sheet of paper. The system uses image processing algorithms that remove shadows, align the geometry of the sheet and increase the contrast of black text on a white background. This turns a regular picture into a high-quality digital copy ready for printing or sending by email.
Good lighting is important for a product mode, and the camera reads a barcode (EAN or UPC) and sends a request to the database, and if the product is common, you'll see its name, category and sometimes average market value, but it's worth considering that the database may not contain information about rare or local products.
☑️ Pre-scan check
Keep in mind that the quality of the scan is directly dependent on the resolution of the camera and the stability of your hands. Use a tripod or elbow against a hard surface if you need to scan small or damaged code.
How to scan a document and save it
The process of digitizing paper media on Xiaomi smartphones is very well implemented. To get a quality scan copy, open the Document mode and point the camera at the sheet. The system will find the edges of the document and suggest taking a picture. After that, the image will be taken to the gallery, where it can be further processed.
The built-in editor allows you to framing, rotating and filtering. Document or C/B filters are the best for documents, which make the background perfectly white and the text perfectly black, which significantly reduces the size of the final file and improves readability when printing.
Once processed, you can save the file as JPEG or PDF. The PDF format is preferred for multi-page documents, as it combines multiple pages into a single file that is convenient to send via instant messengers or mail. The PDF save feature is built right into the photo viewing interface.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| File format | JPEG / PNG / PDF | PDF for text, JPEG for photo |
| Permission | Depends on the camera. | Use maximum |
| Orientation | Portrait/Album | Orientation of the text |
| Filter | Original / Document / CB | Document filter. |
For multi-page documents, there is a life hack: scan each page separately, save them, and then in the Files app or through a third-party. PDF-Reader combine them into one document, although the standard Xiaomi camera does not yet know how to "stitch" pages into one document. PDF automatically in one touch, the quality of processing each sheet is worth it.
Using Google Lens and Translator
In the Android ecosystem used by Xiaomi smartphones, Google Lens is deeply integrated. On many global versions of MIUI and HyperOS, the scanner button can call this module, or offer it as an alternative to the native Mi scanner.
One of the most useful features is real-time translation, where you choose Translation mode, you point the camera at a sign, a restaurant menu, or a foreign language instruction, and the text on the screen is replaced by a translation, preserving the original font and layout, which works for dozens of languages, including Chinese, English, German and French.
Google Lens can also recognize plants, animal species and landmarks, and by pointing a camera at a flower, you can get information about its appearance and care, and by getting stuck over a text, you can copy it, listen to it aloud, or search Google, and that makes the camera a universal learning tool.
⚠️ Attention: Translation and object recognition functions require an active Internet connection. Without the network, the functionality will be limited to only basic reading. QR-codes and photo retention.
If you travel frequently, it is recommended to download the language packages for offline translation in the Google Translate app in advance, which will allow you to use the camera as a translator even when roaming without access to mobile Internet.
Scanner settings and additional functions
There are a few useful options hidden in the settings of the Camera app or the scanner module itself. Going to the settings menu (the gear icon), you can find the item responsible for the behavior of the scanner, and here you can turn on or off the audible signal when you successfully read the code, which is useful in quiet rooms.
Qi Code Recognition is also available in standby mode, and if you activate this wholesale, the phone will try to read the codes even when the screen is off (assuming the phone is on the table with the screen upwards), which saves time, but can increase battery consumption slightly, since the sensors are running in the background.
For users who often work with text, Text Recognition (OCR) is useful, and it allows you to extract text from any image in the gallery. Just open a photo of a document, click "More" and select "Text Recognition." The system will highlight all the letters, and you can copy them to the clipboard or send them to notes.
Remember to update the Camera app and Google Play services periodically, and developers regularly release patches that improve recognition speed and add support for new code types and document formats.
Solving recognition problems
Sometimes users find that the scanner doesn't see the code or it gives an error, and most often the problem is not enough light or shaking of the hands. Try to get closer to the object or, conversely, to move away so that the camera has time to focus. Sharpness is a key factor in success.
If the code is corrupted, glued or printed too thin, it may not be possible to read it with standard means, in such cases, you can try third-party applications from Google Play, which have more aggressive decoding algorithms, but for 95% of the tasks, Xiaomi’s built-in functionality is more than enough.
Another common problem is a dirty camera, and as corny as it is, greasy stains on your fingers create a soapy image that blurs the contrasting code boundaries.
⚠️ Warning: Never scan. QR-Cokes from suspicious sources (stickers on poles, messages from unknown numbers) can lead to phishing sites created to steal your personal data or passwords.
If the scanner has stopped working completely (black screen or app crash), try clearing the Camera app cache in your phone settings or restarting the device.