Where is the scanner in the Xiaomi phone: search, settings and hidden features

You're trying to scan. QR-code, barcode or document, but can't find a built-in scanner in your Xiaomi? MIUI The problem is that the manufacturer regularly moves this feature around the menu, and in some firmware, it is hidden behind non-obvious gestures.

In this article, we will not only show where the scanner is in the Xiaomi phone, but also reveal all its hidden features: from scanning documents to recognizing text from photos. MIUI, What models support advanced options, and what to do if the Suddenly scanner disappeared after the update, and compare the built-in solution with popular alternatives like Google Lens.

Important: if you have Xiaomi on a pure Android One (like Mi) A3), The search algorithm will be different, as a separate section below explains, and we will also look at the rare cases where a scanner may not be available in the firmware (and how to fix it).

1. the standard location of the scanner in MIUI (relevant for 2026)

In the latest versions MIUI 14/15 (partly MIUI 13) The scanner is integrated into three key locations, and their location depends on the phone model and the regional firmware:

• 📱 Quick Settings Panel: Swipe down from the top of the screen and find the scanner icon, which you need to add manually on some devices.
• 🔍 Search by system: swipe down on the home screen and enter the "scanner" - the system will show all available options.
• 📷 Camera: in photo mode, point the lens at QR-code – if the function is active, a notification will appear with a suggestion to click on the link.

On the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 and later, the scanner is most often located in the notification bar. On older models (for example, Redmi 9), you may need to activate via settings.

1. Deploy the notification bar in full (swipe down twice).
2. Click on the pencil icon ("Edit").
3. Find the scanner in the list and drag it to the active area.

Important nuance: on some firmware for the European region (EEA) scanner may be called "QR Scanner" or "Barcode Scanner. "If you don't find a Russian-language version, try searching for English keywords.

2. Hidden features of Xiaomi's built-in scanner

Many users think that the built-in scanner in Xiaomi can only read QR-It actually supports a lot more functions -- you just need to know how to activate them:

The most useful hidden function — OCR-It's called optical character recognition, and it's a way of doing this:

• 📄 Copy text from photos or screens (e.g. account numbers).
• 🌐 Translate signage and menus in real time (offline for major languages).
• 📋 Save data from business cards directly to contacts.

To activate OCR:

1. Open the scanner through the notification panel.
2. Point the camera at the text.
3. Wait for the yellow frame to appear around the text.
4. Click on the text icon (stylized letter "A").

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If the function OCR If it does not appear, check the language settings in the system. Xiaomi scanner supports recognition only of those languages that are added to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input.

3.Why the scanner disappeared after the update (and how to return)

One of the most common problems is the scanner disappearing after an update. MIUI. This happens for three main reasons:

1. Regional restrictions: In firmware for China or India, the scanner can be disabled by default.
2. Optimization MIUI: Xiaomi regularly “cleans” the firmware from “unnecessary” functions, and the scanner sometimes falls under the distribution.
3. Update failure: If the firmware is installed with errors, system applications may disappear.

Here’s how to return the scanner in each case:

Method 1: Recovery through settings (for MIUI 13-15)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Show Systems".
3. Find the scanner (or scanner) in the list. QR Scanner).
4. Click "On" and restart the phone.

Method 2: Reset the settings of the notification panel

If the scanner is missing from the quick settings:

1. Open the notification panel in full.
2. Press the pencil ("Edit").
3. At the bottom of the screen, click Reset (or Reset by Default).

⚠️ Note: Some users are advised to install APK-It is dangerous because these files may contain malicious code. If the scanner is gone after the update, you better wait for the next patch from Xiaomi or use proven alternatives from Google Play.

4. Xiaomi Scanner with Android One (Mi) A1/A2/A3)

Mi A series devices run on pure Android One without shell MIUI, So, there's no built-in scanner from Xiaomi, but there are three official ways to scan. QR-code:

• 🔍 Google Lens: built into a standard camera. Point the lens at the camera. QR-code and click on the Google Lens icon (multicolor square).
• 📷 Google Photos: Open any photo with QR-In the gallery, click on the Lens icon at the bottom of the screen.
• 🌐 Chrome browser: in the address bar click on the icon QR-right-hand.

To scan barcodes and documents on Android One, you will need to install third-party apps.

• Barcode Scanner by ZXing Team (open source, no ads).
• Microsoft Lens (for documents with export to the PDF/Word).
• Kaspersky QR Scanner (with security link verification).

If you need a system scanner as a MIUI, You can try rooting the device and installing the com.xiaomi.scanner application port (but this will void the warranty and may disrupt the system).

5.The Best Alternatives to Xiaomi's In-House Scanner

Even if the built-in scanner works properly, third-party apps often offer more features. 15 Popular scanners and selected the top-3 different tasks:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution is a combination of:

• 📱 Built-in scanner for fast QR-code.
• 🔍 Google Lens for Text and Object Recognition.
• 📄 Microsoft Lens for Documents (if needed) PDF).

Study reviews about app security|Check the permissions (no access to the permissions) SMS/call)|Try the free version before buying|Remove unnecessary scanners after the test-->

6. Advanced scanner settings (for power users)

V MIUI There are hidden scanner settings that allow:

• 🔦 Set up automatic recognition when opening the camera.
• 📶 Disable Internet connection check before scanning.
• 📱 Change the priority of the scanner (for example, always use it instead of Google Lens).

To access these settings:

1. Open the Scanner app through the notification panel.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
3. Select "Scanner Settings" (Scanner Settings).

In the settings menu, pay attention to the following options:

• Auto scanning: If enabled, the camera will automatically recognize the codes when getting stuck.
• Vibration in recognition: useful for visually impaired users.
• Scan history: Stores the last 50 scanned codes (can be manually cleaned).
• Safe mode: blocks the click on suspicious links (works through the Xiaomi database).

Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi models K60 Pro in the scanner settings appeared experimental function "3D-"object scanning" (beta) allows you to create three-dimensional models of small objects, but requires good lighting and steady hand.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the Safe Mode settings can lead to false positives on legitimate links (for example, on promo pages of banks). QR-temporarily disable this option or use an alternative scanner.

7. Solving the scanner problems

If the scanner is not working properly (it doesn’t recognize codes, it gives out errors, or it slows down), try the following steps:

Problem 1: The scanner doesn't recognize QR-code

• 📵 Make sure the code is not damaged (no blurring or overlapping).
• 💡 Check the lighting - in low light, turn on the flashlight.
• 🔄 Restart the scanner app (close it in multitasking).
• 📱 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with camera crashes.

Problem 2: The scanner gives an error "failed to scan"

This may be due to:

• 🛑 Antivirus Block (Temporarily Disable Protection).
• 📶 Internet problems (some codes require online verification).
• 🗃️ Cache damage to the app (cleaning will help).

To clear the scanner cache:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the scanner on the list.
3. Press "Storage" → "Clear the cache".
4. Restart the app.

Problem 3: The scanner is slowing or lagging

Causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Low battery power: Some models limit camera performance when charged below 15%.
• 📸 Conflict with other cameras: Close all apps that use the camera (like TikTok or Instagram).
• 🗑️ Completed storage: Free up at least 1GB of storage.

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If the scanner problems occurred after the phone fell, it may indicate damage to the camera, in which case the scanner will not work properly even after resetting the settings - diagnostics are required at the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the scanner in Xiaomi