How to scan on a Xiaomi phone: QR-codes, documents and barcodes

Scanning on Xiaomi: from QR- codes to multi-page documents

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO offer a variety of scanning options, from built-in MIUI tools to specialized applications. But not everyone knows that the phone’s camera can recognize not only QR- codes, but also automatically save scanned documents to PDF, and some models support even 3D- scanning objects.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from basic scanning through the standard Camera application to professional solutions like Microsoft Lens or CamScanner, focusing on hidden MIUI functions that work without installing additional programs, and explain how to avoid typical errors (for example, when the phone does not recognize the code due to glare or low light).

If you need to scan your passport for a bank, save your check electronically or quickly read the QR- menu code in a cafe, here you will find the best way to do your job.

1. Scanning. QR-codes through a standard camera

The fastest way to read the QR- code on Xiaomi is to use the built-in Camera.The feature works on all models with MIUI 10 and later, including the budget Redmi Note and flagship Xiaomi 13/14. The recognition algorithm runs automatically when got stuck on the code, but there are nuances:

• 🔍 Autofocus is a must: if the code is blurred, the camera will not work. Keep the phone at a distance of 10 to 30 cm.
• 💡 Turn on a flash in dark rooms (swipe up in the camera interface → lightning icon).
• 🚫 Don't tilt the phone: a shooting angle greater than 30° reduces recognition accuracy.
• 🔄 Update MIUI if the feature doesn't work: In older versions, scanning may have been disabled due to bugs.

To scan the code:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Hover the lens on the QR- code - a notification should appear with a suggestion to click on the link.
3. Slip on the notification to open the contents of the code in the browser or other application.

💡

If the camera doesn’t respond to QR- code, try clearing its cache: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Clear the cache.

On models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 or Redmi K40) you can scan the codes even in complete darkness - IR lighting is activated automatically.

2. the application "Scanner" (MIUI Scanner)

In MIUI 12 and later, there is a separate application Scanner (icon with a magnifier), which is able to recognize not only QR- codes, but also barcodes, ISBN books, and generate its own codes (for example, for Wi-Fi).

• 📱 Works without the Internet (recognition takes place on the device).
• 📋 Stores scan history (up to 100 last codes).
• 🔗 Supports deep links (e.g., for app authorization).
• 🛡️ Checks the security of links through the built-in antivirus Mi Security.

How to use:

1. Find the Scanner app in the menu (if it isn’t, update your MIUI or install it through GetApps).
2. Point the camera at the code - the data will be displayed immediately.
3. To generate your code, tap on the + icon in the lower right corner.

3. Scanning documents in PDF

If you want to scan a passport, a contract, or a multi-page document, a standard camera won't do it, it doesn't save files in a convenient format.

• 📄 Microsoft Lens (free, OneDrive integration)
• 📱 CamScanner (Paid version removes watermarks)
• 🔍 Google Drive (built-in scanner in a mobile app).
• 📎 Notes in MIUI (basic functions, without OCR).

Let’s look at the example of Microsoft Lens:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Document or Board mode (for photos from presentations).
3. Take a photo of the page – the app will automatically trim the edges.
4. Click Ready → Select the format (PDF, Word or PowerPoint).
5. Save the file to the cloud or to the device.

Clean the camera lens of fingerprints

Put the document on a flat surface

Turn on good lighting (avoid shadows)

Turn off Portrait mode in the camera-->

Xiaomi models with a wide-angle camera (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can use Macro mode to scan small texts (checks, receipts), but the resolution of the final PDF will be lower than using specialized scanners.

4. Hidden MIUI features for scanning

MIUI hides a few useful tools that few people know about:

• 📖 Text scanning (OCR): In the Notes app, you can take a picture of the text and convert it to an editable format. Works offline for English, Chinese and Russian.
• 💳 Scanning of Bank Cards: Mi Pay (available in China and India) can be added to a card by simply pointing the camera at it.
• 🎵 Music recognition: The Music app has a feature to scan audio through a microphone (similar to Shazam).
• 📦 Packaging scanning: You can add a smart device to the Mi Home by scanning the barcode on the box.

To activate OCR in Notes:

1. Open the Notes app.
2. Create a new note and tap on the Camera icon.
3. Select Text Mode (if not, update the app).
4. Take a picture of the document – the text will be recognized and pasted in the note.

💡

OCR in MIUI works only with clear images, and if the text is blurred or on a sloping surface, the accuracy of recognition drops to 60 percent.

On models with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro), OCR processes text 30% faster thanks to hardware acceleration of the NPU.

5. Solving scanning problems

If your phone doesn’t recognize codes or documents, check these points:

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the built-in scanner may not work. Install Google Lens as an alternative.

If the scan doesn’t work after the MIUI update, reset your camera settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera → Storage → Clear data

For models with an IR port (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+): If the scanner is not turned on, check the permissions for the Infrared port application in the privacy settings.

6. Alternative applications for professional scanning

If the built-in MIUI tools aren’t enough, consider these apps:

• 📑 CamScanner: Best for multi-page documents (automatic cropping, cloud storage). The paid version removes watermarks.
• 🔎 Google Lens: recognizes text in 100+ languages, integrated with Google Photos and Translate.
• 📊 Adobe Scan: Ideal for tables and graphs (retains data structure).
• 💼 FineScanner: Supports high-resolution scanning (up to 600 DPI) and export to DOCX.

Comparison of popular scanners:

For Xiaomi with a weak processor (for example, Redmi 9A), we recommend Microsoft Lens – it is less loading than CamScanner.

⚠️ Warning: Some apps (like CamScanner versions before 2020) contained malicious code. Always install them only from Google Play and check reviews.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scanning on Xiaomi