How to scan documents on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 proven ways

Scanning documents via Xiaomi smartphone has become an integral part of everyday tasks, from processing inquiries to sending contracts by email. POCO Allows you to create digital copies with a resolution of up to 300 DPI Right in your pocket, while still maintaining the original quality of the text and the graphics, but how do you do it right when you don't have the specialized equipment at hand?

In this article, we will analyze all available scanning methods - from built-in tools. MIUI to third-party applications with advanced functions (OCR, You'll learn how to avoid the typical mistakes of blurring, edge distortion, or file size too large, and we'll also compare Xiaomi Scanner, Google Drive, and other services on key parameters of speed, quality, and convenience.

Whether you need a copy of your passport for your bank or a multi-leaf contract for your work, after reading this manual, you can scan your documents on Xiaomi as well as professional equipment.

1. Built-in scanner in MIUI: fast way without installing applications

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 and later have a built-in scanner tool called the Notes Scanner, which is integrated into the Notes app and requires no additional downloads. This method is ideal for those who appreciate speed and minimalism.

To take advantage of it:

• 📱 Open the Notes app (icon with pencil on a yellow background).
• 🔍 Press the badge. + In the lower right corner and select Document Scanner.
• 📸 Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries (if not, manually press).
• ✅ Confirm the scan and save the file in format PDF or JPEG.

Advantages of this method:

• ⚡ Instant processing – scan ready for 2-3 seconds.
• 🔒 Local Storage – Files are not sent to the cloud without your consent.
• 📏 Automatic edge trimming and perspective correction.

However, the built-in scanner has limitations:

⚠️ Note: In the Redmi Note models 8/9 And older, the scanning function in the Notes may not be available. MIUI Up to the latest version or use alternative methods from this article.

Scanning through Google Drive: a cloud solution with OCR

If you need not only to scan the document, but also to recognize the text (OCR), Google Drive is one of the best options, and this method is suitable for Xiaomi owners on Android 8.0 and higher, as it requires the Drive app installed (pre-installed on most devices).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Google Drive and click + → Scan.
2. Take a picture of the document (hold your smartphone parallel to the sheet for better results).
3. Cut the edges by hand or use Autocution.
4. Save the file as PDF picture.

The main advantage of Google Drive is built-in OCR. After scanning, you can:

• 🔍 Search for text inside PDF (For example, find the word “contract” in a multi-sheet document).
• 📋 Copy text from the scan to other applications.
• 🌐 Translate text into other languages (via Google Translate).

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If the scan is too dark, click on the icon before saving it to Google Drive. ⚙️ → Correct and select the text highlighting mode. This will improve readability.

Limitations of the method:

⚠️ Note: Files scanned through Google Drive are saved to the cloud by default. If the document contains sensitive data (passport, TIN), delete it from drive.google.com after downloading it to your device.

3. Xiaomi Scanner app: official solution with advanced features

For users who need professional scanning tools, Xiaomi has released a separate app, Xiaomi Scanner (formerly Mi Scanner), available on Google Play and App Gallery, but not pre-installed on all models.

• 📄 Multi-leaf scanning (up to 50 pages in one) PDF).
• 🎨 Filters: black and white mode, increased contrast, removal of shadows.
• 🔐 Password protection for PDF-file.
• 📤 Exports to PDF, JPEG, PNG or Word (through OCR).

How to use Xiaomi Scanner:

Install the app from Google Play|Open and allow access to the camera|Select the mode (document, business card, book)|Point the camera and wait for the car to shoot.|Edit the scan (trimming, filters)|Save or share the file-->

The app automatically aligns perspective and removes distortion, even if you take an angled photograph of a document, which is especially useful for scanning books or thick contracts where you can't place the camera strictly perpendicular.

Comparison of Xiaomi Scanner with other methods:

4 Third-Party Applications: CamScanner, Adobe Scan and Alternatives

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools aren’t enough, consider specialized apps that offer advanced features such as:

• 📊 Package processing of hundreds of documents.
• 🔒 Encryption PDF standard AES-256.
• 📱 Sync with Dropbox, OneDrive, Yandex Disk.
• 🖼️ Improved quality for old or shredded documents.

Top.-3 Apps to scan for Xiaomi:

1. CamScanner (free version with watermarks): 🌟 Best. OCR (60-strong+ language). 📎 Ability to add electronic signatures. ⚠️ In the free version on the scans remains the logo of the application.
2. Adobe Scan (from the creators of Photoshop): 🖥️ Integration with Adobe Acrobat for Advanced Editing PDF. 📱 Automatic save in Adobe Document Cloud. ❌ Registration is required for full functionality.

Microsoft Lens

• 📑 Optimized for scanning tables and boards.
• 📤 Exports to Word, PowerPoint, OneNote.
• ✅ Completely free without advertising.

How to choose the best application?

• If you need it. OCR Russian → CamScanner or ABBYY FineScanner.
• Integration with office programs is important → Microsoft Lens or Adobe Scan.
• If you scan multi-page documents → Xiaomi Scanner or CamScanner Pro.

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For sensitive documents (passports, contracts) avoid free versions of apps with ads - they can share data with third parties. CamScanner/Adobe Scan.

5. Camera scanning: when no special applications are available

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have any of these tools, you can do with a standard camera and manual editing, which takes longer, but is suitable for emergencies.

Algorithm of action:

1. Open the Camera app and switch to Document (if any) or Photo mode.
2. Place the document on a flat surface with good lighting (avoid shadows!).
3. Take a photo of the sheet, holding the smartphone strictly perpendicular.
4. Open the photo in the Gallery and trim the edges with the Edit tool → Pruning.
5. If necessary, adjust the brightness/contrast.
6. Save the file and convert it to PDF via any online application (e.g. iLovePDF).

To improve the quality of this scan:

• 💡 Use flash if the document is too dark (but not for glossy surfaces!).
• 📏 Put a white sheet of paper next to the document, which will help the camera adjust the white balance correctly.
• 🔍 If the text is small, turn on Macro mode (the flower icon in the Camera app).

⚠️ Note: When scanning through a camera without specialized applications, the final resolution is PDF will be below 150 DPI, This may not be enough for official institutions (such as a notary or a bank) in such cases, use Xiaomi Scanner or CamScanner.

6.Scan Optimization: How to Reduce File Size Without Losing Quality

A common problem with scanning is too large a size PDF (for example 10+ This makes it harder to send by mail or upload to instant messengers. Here's how to reduce a file:

Method 1: Scanner settings

• In Xiaomi Scanner or CamScanner, choose Low Quality or Medium (usually enough for text).
• Turn off the option to save the original photo (if any).

Method 2: Online compressors

Use the services:

• 🌐 SmallPDF – compresses up to 1MB without any apparent loss of quality.
• 🌐 iLovePDF – allows you to select the compression level.

Method 3: Convert to black and white mode

Color scans weigh in 3-5 Most scanners have a C/B or Shades of Grey option, so use it for text documents.

7.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the best tools, Xiaomi users often encounter problems with scanning, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

Problem 1: Blurred text

• 📸 Reason: Handshaking or autofocus didn’t work correctly.
• 🔧 Solution: Use a delay timer (2-3 seconds) in the scanner app or smartphone support.

Problem 2: The distorted edges of the document

• 📏 Reason: Wrong angle of shooting or curved sheet of paper.
• 🔧 Solution: Enable Perspective Adjustment in the scanner settings or trim the edges manually.

Problem 3: Too dark or light scan

• 🌓 Reason: Incorrect exposure (too bright/dark background).
• 🔧 Solution: Manually adjust Brightness in the editor or use Mode HDR cell-wise.

Problem 4: Large file size

• 📁 Reason: High resolution or color mode.
• 🔧 Solution: Transfer the scan to Ch/B or compress it via SmallPDF.

Problem. 5: It's not a barcode./QR-code

• 📊 Reason: Low resolution or glare on a glossy surface.
• 🔧 Solution: Turn off the flash and take a right angle photo of the code.

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Before scanning important documents (passport, diploma), take a test shot and check the readability of the text in an enlarged form, which will save time for re-scanning.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scanning on Xiaomi