How to scan. QR-code from the screen of the Xiaomi phone

Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are equipped with a powerful system MIUI or the new HyperOS, which offers a lot of built-in features for working with images, one of the most popular features is recognition. QR-This can be a code for logging into Telegram on your computer, a coupon for a discount in an online store, or a link to a Wi-Fi network sent by a friend in a messenger.

Many users mistakenly believe that a second camera or someone else’s help is needed to take a picture of the screen, but Xiaomi engineers have provided more convenient software solutions. Screen scanning has become the de facto standard, allowing data to be read instantly without having to take unnecessary pictures or switch between applications manually.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from built-in camera-scanner features to using Google Lens and third-party utilities, you will learn how to set up a system for quick access and what nuances exist when working with different versions of the Android operating system on Xiaomi devices.

Built-in scanning function in the Camera app

The most obvious and quick way that is available on most current Xiaomi models is to use the standard Camera app. Unlike older versions of Android, which required a separate application, now recognition algorithms are built right into the viewfinder. However, in order for the function to work correctly, you need to make sure that the appropriate mode is activated in the settings.

To start, open the Camera app and find the Scanner or QR option in the top menu or in the “More” section. Some MIUI firmwares have this mode in a separate icon, others have it integrated into the main photo mode. If you don’t see this option, go to the camera settings (three bars in the corner) and check if the Document Scanner or QR Recognition switch is on.

⚠️ Note: On some global firmware versions, the feature may be called “Google Lens” or hidden under a button «AI». Make sure that the text and code recognition mode is active, otherwise the camera will just focus, but not read the data.

To scan the code from the screen, you don't have to take a photo. Just point the lens at the image, and the system itself will suggest clicking on the link or saving the contact. If you have a second phone or tablet, just open the image on the Xiaomi screen and point the camera of another device in scanner mode.

However, if the second device is not available and you need to scan from the current screen, the standard camera will not help, because it does not see its own display. Here comes the software methods, which will be discussed later. AI algorithms in MIUI allow you to analyze the contents of the clipboard or open image, if you use the "Hand and find" feature through the Google Lens built into the system.

Using Google Lens to scan

The most versatile tool for Android owners, including Xiaomi, is Google Lens, which is deeply integrated into the system and allows you to scan information directly from the screen without having to switch between apps or use an external camera. It is especially convenient when QR-code received in the form of a picture in the browser or messenger.

To use this method, open the image with QR-Then click on the Share button or look for a lens icon (usually a color box or camera) in the bottom control panel and ask to analyze the image. If the icon is not there, you can take a screenshot of the screen, open it in the Google Photos app and click the “Lens” or “Search by Image” button».

• 📸 Open the image with QR-code in the gallery or take a screenshot.
• 🔍 Click on the Google Lens icon (lens) or select “Search by image».
• 🔗 The system recognizes the code and offers to click on the link, copy the text or save the contact.

The advantage of Google Lens is its ability to recognize even vague or partially closed codes thanks to powerful Google servers.In addition, the service can translate text from images and recognize products from photos. For Xiaomi users, this is ideal, since it does not require the installation of additional software and works stably on all versions of MIUI from 11 to 14.

⚠️ Attention: Google Lens requires an active Internet connection to work. If you are in an area without a network, the scan may not pass or take much longer due to an attempt to sync with the cloud.

It is important to note that in some regions or on custom firmware, Google services may be limited, in which case you should pay attention to the built-in scanner in the MIUI shell, which is called by long-clicking on the image in the gallery or through the “More” menu.

Scan through the Gallery and the Share Menu

Shell MIUI And HyperOS is famous for its improvements to the standard Android interface, and one of the great things that we can do is we can analyze images directly in the Gallery app. QR-code or received the picture in the messenger and saved it, you do not need to look for special applications.

Just open the image you want in the gallery. At the bottom of the screen, next to the edit and delete buttons, often there's a smart "Recognize" prompt or scanner icon. If there's none, click "More" (three dots) and select "Recognize" QR-code" or "Google Lens." The system automatically highlights the area with the code and suggests actions.

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If the recognition button does not appear automatically, try clicking on the “Share” button and select “Scanner” or “Google” in the list of applications – this will start the analysis of the image.

An alternative method, through the Share menu, works in almost all applications: Find an image with the code, click the share button, and select "QR Scanner" or "Lens" from the list of available actions. This is a universal way that works even if the main gallery application does not see the code.

It's worth mentioning that new versions of HyperOS are even faster, and when you open an image, the system itself "understands" what's in the photo. QR-code, and offers a pop-up with action. The contextual sensitivity of the interface saves the user from unnecessary clicks and searches for the desired function in the depth of the menu.

Using the “Scanner” widget on the desktop

For those who use QR-And the best solution is to take the scanning function to the desktop, and in Xiaomi, you can do this with widgets or shortcuts, and you can run the scanner in one click without searching the menu.

To add a widget, press the blank space on your desktop and select "Widgets." Find "Scanner" or "Tools" in the list and drag the widget onto the screen. Now, when you click on it, you immediately open the camera interface, ready to read the codes. To scan from the screen through the widget, you can use the "Select from the gallery" feature, which is often available in the scanner interface.

You can also create a specific shortcut for a specific action, such as if you need to connect to a friend's Wi-Fi frequently. QR-The network profile can be saved as QR-code in notes, and then use the scanner widget to quickly connect other devices. Automating processes on Xiaomi allows you to save time in everyday tasks.

Remember, the scanner widget can be of different sizes. The larger widget can display scan history, and the smaller widget can just start the camera. Choose the format that fits more conveniently into your desktop design.

Third-party applications for complex cases

While Xiaomi’s built-in tools are powerful, they may sometimes fail to cope with damaged, upside down or customized hardware. QR-In these cases, third-party apps come to the rescue from the Google Play Store, which often have more flexible decoding settings and can work without the Internet.

One of the best solutions is Gamma Play's QR & Barcode Scanner app or similar popular utilities, and their main advantage is the ability to download an image from the gallery for analysis. You just open the app, select the Gallery, specify a screenshot of the code, and the app instantly gives you the result.

Another advantage of third-party scanners is the ability to create your own QR-You can generate code for your Wi-Fi network or business card and save it to the gallery so you can quickly share it with your friends. Xiaomi's built-in tools can do that, too, but third-party apps often offer more templates.

When installing third-party software, be careful of permissions. The scanner needs access to the camera and gallery, but it should not require access to contacts or a microphone without good reason. Data security when using third-party software should always be a priority.

Customization and elimination (Troubleshooting)

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Xiaomi phone can not see QR-This may be due to brightness settings, protective film or software failure. Below is a table of problems and ways to solve them.

It's also worth checking if the camera is blocked by an antivirus or privacy protection app. MIUI has a Privacy Protection feature that can prevent apps from accessing the camera in the background.

It is important to keep the system updated. Newer versions of MIUI and HyperOS regularly improve the algorithms for working with graphics and camera. Check for updates in the Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Using the built-in MIUI and Google Lens tools, you can scan codes from the screen without installing unnecessary programs, providing a balance between convenience and security.