Scanner in Xiaomi phone: purpose, features and hidden functions

In modern smartphones Xiaomi scanner has long ceased to be just a tool for reading barcodes. MIUI It's capable of solving dozens of everyday tasks, from paying for purchases to scanning documents for digitization, but many users still don't know about half of its capabilities, using a scanner only to scan for the purpose of digitizing. QR-codes.

In fact, depending on the Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Budget Poco M5), The scanner can work through the main camera, the front module, or even a separate IR sensor. MIUI There are hidden functions that are not even mentioned in the official instructions, and in this article we will discuss all the ways in which the scanner is used, from the obvious to the non-obvious, and explain why it sometimes refuses to work and how to fix it.

What is a scanner in a Xiaomi phone and how it is arranged

Scanner in Xiaomi smartphones is a hardware and software complex that combines:

• 📷 Camera (main or front) for reading QR-codes, barcodes and documents;
• 🔦 Infrared (IR) sensor – present in flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14) for working with a smart home;
• 📱 Special PO in MIUI, It's an image processor that recognizes data;
• 🔒 Security module for the protection of scanned payment data.

Unlike older phones, where the scanner was a separate application, Xiaomi has it built-in at the system level, which means you can call it up:

• 🔍 Through the notification panel (the icon "Scanner");
• 📷 From the Camera app (Scanner mode");
• 💳 Payment services (e.g. Mi Pay or Google Pay).

It is interesting that in some models (for example, Xiaomi). 12S Ultra, the scanner uses Leica optics to better recognize small codes, and in low-end Redmi, it can work even without the Internet, and the data is processed locally.

The main functions of the scanner: QR-code-to-document

Most users are limited to scanning. QR-But the Xiaomi scanner actually does a lot more than that:

One of the most useful but little-known features is scanning documents with automatic cropping and quality improvements, such as if you need to send your passport to a bank, the Xiaomi scanner:

1. Automatically find the boundaries of the document;
2. It will bring forth the promise of the future.
3. Improves contrast and sharpness;
4. Save the result in PDF or JPEG.

This feature is available in the Scanner app (some firmware called Mi DocViewer), the main advantage over third-party apps is that all data is processed locally, without being sent to Xiaomi servers (which is important for privacy).

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If the scanner does not recognize small text on the document, turn on the camera settings mode "Macro" or use additional lighting.

Payment Scanner: Mi Pay, Google Pay and Security

One of the key roles of the scanner at Xiaomi is to work with contactless payments, and it can:

• 💳 Read. QR-codes for payment in stores (via Mi Pay, SberPay, Tinkoff);
• 🔄 Generate your own QR-cash-code;
• 🏦 Connecting Bank Cards Through Scanning.

It's important to understand that when you make payments, the scanner works in conjunction with a secure element (eSE), a special chip that stores payment data, which means that even if the phone is hacked, an attacker will not be able to access the card information.

⚠️ Warning: Never scan. QR-codes for payments from unverified sources (for example, sent in messengers or pasted over official ones) scammers can substitute codes by redirecting payments to their accounts.

To enable the payment scanner:

1. Open the Mi Pay app (or other payment service)
2. Click on the scanner icon in the upper right corner;
3. Put the camera on QR-terminal code;
4. Confirm the payment with a fingerprint or PIN-code.

In some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro) supports double scanning: you can scan QR-terminal code and simultaneously show your code to receive money - this speeds up transactions by 2 times.

Check it out. URL before payment is confirmed|

Use only official applications (Mi Pay, Sberbank Online)|

Do not save bank card scans in the gallery|

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Hidden opportunities: IR scanner and working with a smart home

Xiaomi’s flagship models (starting with the Mi 10 and newer) have an infrared (IR) scanner that allows you to control household appliances without a remote control.

• 📺 Turn on / off TVs, air conditioners, music centers;
• 🌡️ Adjust the temperature on the air conditioner or heater;
• 🔊 Adjust the volume on sound systems;
• 💡 Control IR lamps (e.g. Yeelight or Philips Hue).

To use the IR scanner:

1. Open the Mi Remote application (or “Remote” in Russian firmware);
2. Select the type of device (for example, "TV");
3. Hover the IR port of the phone (usually in the upper part of the case) on the receiver;
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to set up commands.

Fun fact: The IR scanner in Xiaomi 14 supports learning new commands, so if your hardware isn't in the app's database, you can "teach" your phone to copy signals from the original remote.

⚠️ Attention: the IR scanner only works in line of sight from the device (maximum 5-7 meters).If there are obstacles between the phone and the equipment (for example, glass or wall), the commands will not reach the device.

In addition to the IR, the scanner is used to connect Mi Home devices:

• 🔌 Xiaomi Smart Plug Rosetta;
• 💡 Yeelight or Mi lamp LED Desk Lamp;
• 🚪 Door/window opening sensors;
• 🌡️ Thermostats and hygrometers.

To do this, in the Mi Home application, select "Add device" → "Scanner. QR-code" and point the camera at the sticker with the code on the body of the gadget.

Why the scanner is not working and how to fix it

If your Xiaomi scanner has stopped recognizing codes or is not able to detect errors, the reasons may be:

If the problem is not solved, try:

1. Reboot the phone;
2. Clear the Scanner application cache (Settings) → Annexes → Scanner. → Warehouse → Clear the cache);
3. Reset the camera settings to the factory;
4. Install an alternative application (e.g, QR & Barcode Scanner from Google Play).

⚠️ Note: If the scanner stopped working after the update MIUI, Check if it's turned off in the power saving settings. → Battery → Power saving mode and add the Scanner app to exceptions.

In rare cases, the problem may be due to a hardware malfunction of the camera. If after all the manipulations the scanner does not work, contact the service center - you may need to replace the camera module.

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Before contacting the service, check the camera in other applications (for example, take a photo). If the camera does not work at all, the problem is precisely hardware.

How to improve the quality of scanning: tips and life hacks

To make the scanner in Xiaomi work quickly and without errors, follow these recommendations:

• 📸 Keep your phone straight - tilts over 30° can distort the code;
• 💡 Use good lighting – in the dark, the scanner turns on the flashlight, but this reduces the recognition speed;
• 🧹 Clean the lens regularly – greasy spots or dust worsen focusing;
• 🔄 Update the software - in new versions MIUI Recognition algorithms are improving;
• 📱 Turn off energy saving for the Scanner app.

For scanning documents:

• 📄 Place the document in a contrasting background (for example, a dark passport on a white desk);
• 🔍 Enable the "Text Improvement" option in the scanner settings (if available);
• 🖼️ Keep the results in PDF, not JPEG, avoiding loss of quality.

If you often have to scan small barcodes (for example, on drugs or electronics), use macro mode in the camera.

1. Open the Camera app;
2. Select the "Macro" mode (flower icon) 🌼);
3. Bring the phone to a distance of 3-5 cm to the code;
4. Wait for automatic focusing.

For the IR scanner:

• 🎯 Point the phone directly at the receiver (usually located in the front);
• 🔋 Check the battery power – at a level below 15%, the IR port may turn off;
• 📱 Do not cover the IR port with your fingers or cover while using.

Alternative apps for scanning on Xiaomi

If the standard scanner is in MIUI You don't like it, you can install third-party apps with advanced features. Here are the best options for Xiaomi:

To install an alternative scanner:

1. Download the app from Google Play;
2. Open it and give access to the camera.
3. In the settings MIUI Allow auto-start (Settings) → Annexes → Autostart control);
4. Add the app icon to the main screen for quick access.

Please note that some applications (such as CamScanner) may request access to storage and contacts. If you care about privacy, use offline modes or a standard scanner. MIUI, which does not send data to the network.

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To scan long documents (for example, contracts), use the Panorama mode in CamScanner or the standard Scanner application - this will allow you to capture the entire text without cropping.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the scanner in Xiaomi