Where to find a scanner in Xiaomi phone: search for a button and setup

Modern Xiaomi smartphones have evolved into powerful versatile tools replacing many individual gadgets, and one of the most sought-after features has become scanning.Users often search for a physical or software "Scanner" button to count. QR-code, translate text or scan a document, but can not always find the right interface in the shell MIUI or hyperos.

The location of this feature depends on the operating system version and regional firmware, as the company’s engineers are constantly changing the logic of the location of the controls to improve ergonomics. In this article, we will examine all possible options for finding the scanner button, from standard widgets to hidden camera settings.

In some cases, the button you want can be hidden in the quick action menu or require activation through system settings. Understanding the interface structure will help you save time and avoid installing unnecessary applications that are often overloaded with advertising.

Standard application "Scanner" in MIUI

Most Xiaomi smartphones have a proprietary app called the Scanner, which is a separate icon on the desktop or in the Tools folder that combines reading functions. QR-codes, text and document recognition.

If you don't see the icon on the home screen, try searching the system, and you swipe down the center of the screen (or click on the magnifier in the search widget) and type in the word "Scanner" or "Scanner," and the system automatically finds the application, even if it was hidden in deep folders.

Importantly, the app's functionality goes beyond just reading codes, and it has modes inside that scan documents with automatic edge alignment, translate text in real time, and even identify plants or animals from a photograph.

For quick access to basic functions, a negative first screen widget is often used. If you swipe to the right of the home page, there may be a quick scan card that launches the camera in the desired mode without unnecessary animation.

Scanning through widgets and negative screen

The MIUI shell is famous for its customization, and one handy element is the so-called "Negative First Screen" or "App Vault," which is often where the quick scan button, accessible with a single touch, is located.

To activate this screen, swipe to the right of the left-hand icon on the desktop. If the screen is empty or doesn't display the scanner's widget, you need to go to the widget settings, usually through a long tap on the empty space on the desktop and select "Add widgets."

In the widget library, find the Tools or System category, and it should have a Scanner or Quick Scan widget, drag it to the negative screen for permanent access, which is especially useful when you need to quickly read a discount coupon in a store.

• 📱 Swipe to the right of the main screen to open the widget panel.
• 🔍 Click on the plus or edit button in the corner of the screen.
• 📂 Find the “Scanner” widget in the list and add it to the panel.
• ⚡ Now access to the function is carried out in one touch.

Some users prefer to use different size widgets, such as large squares with a direct scan button, which allows you to create a personalized interface where important functions are at hand.

Using a camera to scan codes

The fastest way to count QR-code or barcode - use the standard Camera app. MIUI Artificial intelligence algorithms automatically recognize codes in the viewfinder without having to switch to special modes.

Just open the camera and point the lens at the code. If the code is recognized, a pop-up will appear on the screen asking you to click on the link or copy the text. If that doesn't happen, check the camera settings.

In the camera settings menu (icon or gears) find the item "Document scanner" or "Recognition" QR-Make sure the switch is activated. There may also be a separate "More" or "More" button in the camera interface, where the scanner is placed in a separate shooting mode.

⚠️ Warning: When scanning codes from unknown sources, be careful. The camera can automatically click on a link that leads to a phishing site. URL-address before entering personal data.

There's also a special mode for scanning documents in the camera app called Documents, which allows you to take pictures of text pages with improved contrast and automatic cropping.

Google Lens and Google Lens as an Alternative

If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t seem functional enough, Google Lens comes to the rescue, which is built into most Android smartphones and is often integrated directly into the Google or Camera app.

The Google Lens icon is usually located in the Google search bar on the desktop or in the search widget, and when you click, you open an interface that can not only read codes, but also translate text from images, solve mathematical problems, and object.

For users who often work with text, this is ideal. Google Lens allows you to highlight text directly from a photo and copy it to the clipboard or translate by overlaying the translation over the original text in real time.

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Use Google Lens to copy handwriting. Google's algorithms do a great job of handwriting recognition, which may not be available in a standard Xiaomi scanner.

To add the Google Lens widget to your desktop, (click) blank space, select “Widgets” and find “Google.” There you can select a search widget with the camera button built in to instantly start the scanner.

Customization of buttons and launch shortcuts

For maximum convenience, you can configure the scanner launch through application shortcuts or even through assigning actions to the volume buttons (if there is such a function in specialized launchers or through third-party utilities).

In standard Xiaomi settings, you can create an app shortcut on your desktop that will lead directly to a specific feature, but a simpler way is to use the Quick Apps or Floating Windows feature if it is supported by your version of the OS.

Also worth paying attention to is the control panel (curtain). In some versions of MIUI, you can add the Scanner button to the Quick Settings panel. To do this, open the curtain completely, click on three dots or an edit pencil, and find the scanner button in the list of available ones.

If standard tools can not add a button to the curtain, you can use the application Shortcut Maker from Google Play. It allows you to create custom widgets that run specific activities of the application, for example, immediately open the scanning mode QR.

Remember that having a button in the curtain speeds up the process, as it does not require unlocking the phone and finding the icon in the menu.

Third-party scanning applications

Built-in tools are good, but sometimes more specialized functionality is required, such as batch scanning of documents in PDF with text recognition (OCR) or scanning business cards with saving to contacts.

Google Play offers a variety of applications, such as Adobe Scan, CamScanner or Microsoft Lens, which often outperform standard solutions for image processing and the convenience of organizing scanned files.

Once you install an app, you can also put it on your desktop or widgets, and many of these apps allow you to create a Quick Scan widget that immediately launches the camera in the right mode.

The choice of application depends on your tasks: for quick check of links there is enough built-in tool, and for working with documents it is better to install specialized software.

Decision (FAQ)

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The quickest way to find a scanner is to use a system search (swipe down) or widget on a negative first screen if it is configured.

Now you know where to look for the scanner button in your Xiaomi and how to set up easy access to this feature. Use the knowledge gained to work effectively with documents and codes.