How to set up a Xiaomi photo printer: a complete guide from connection to printing

Xiaomi photo printers are compact devices that allow you to print photos directly from your phone in seconds. However, many users face difficulties already at the first setup stage: the printer does not connect to Wi-Fi, the application does not see the device, and prints are pale or shifted. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of settings from unpacking to fine calibration, and also explain how to avoid typical errors and achieve perfect print quality.

It is important to understand that the Xiaomi Photo Printer models 1S, 2S 3 have differences in firmware and features that are supported, and we'll point out these nuances in each section. If you're just planning to buy, there's a performance comparison table at the end of this article that will help you choose the best model for your tasks.

Before you start setting up, check the configuration: the box should be the printer itself, the power supply unit, USB-cable (for some models), a photo paper cartridge and a brief instruction. If something is missing, this is an excuse to go to the store, because without the original consumables (especially paper), the quality of the print will be unpredictable.

Preparation for the first inclusion: unpacking and check of completeness

Start by looking carefully at the device. The case should not have dents, scratches or glue marks, which are signs of possible transportation under improper conditions. Pay special attention to the paper compartment: it should open smoothly, without creaking. In Xiaomi Photo Printer 3 models, the compartment is equipped with a magnetic hold that sometimes sticks when first opened - this is not a defect, but a feature of the design.

Check the markings on the photo paper cartridge. They must match the printer model:

• 📌 1S — paper ZINK 2×3" (50 leaflet)
• 📌 2S/3 — paper ZINK 3×4.5" (30 or 50 leaflet)

Using paper from third-party manufacturers can lead to a jamming of the feed mechanism or damage to the thermal head. Xiaomi does not provide a guarantee when using non-original consumables.

⚠️ Warning: Do not remove the protective film from the photo paper before loading into the printer. Contact with air leads to premature darkening of the sheets (the effect manifests itself in 1-2 hours).

Connect the printer to the network with the original power supply. 1S and 2S plug-in USB Type-C, and in version 3, proprietary connector (the cable comes with it) Do not use smartphone chargers, they may not provide enough current, which will lead to initialization errors.

2. Installation of the application and initial configuration via Mi Home

The official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS) is required to manage the printer.

• 📱 Google Play (Android)
• 🍎 App Store (iOS)

Avoid. APK-Third-source files – they may contain malicious code or outdated versions of connection protocols.

After installing the application, follow the following steps:

1. Sign up or sign in to an existing Xiaomi account (required!) without linking to your account, some features (such as cloud printing) will not be available.
2. Press "Add device" → Select the category "Printers" → Find your own model.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The printer should flash a blue LED (pairing mode). If the indicator is on red, see "Error Solving".

⚠️ Note: Photo Printer 3 models require you to confirm pairing on the device itself when you first connect – press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until you hear the beep.

If the printer is not detected, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the router (sometimes) DHCP fails IP device).
• 📶 Connect to 2.4 GHz network (Xiaomi printers do not support 5 GHz).
• 🔌 Shut down. VPN Proxies on the phone – they can block local detection.

Bluetooth on the phone |

Phone and printer on the same Wi-Fi network|

Mi Home app updated to latest version|

Power saving modes on the phone are turned off-->

3. Set up printing parameters: quality, format, color profile

Once you've successfully connected, open the printer tab in Mi Home and go to Print Settings. Here you can find key settings:

• 🖼️ Paper format: select 2×3" or 3×4.5" Depending on the paper you load, the inconsistency will lead to the image being cropped.
• 🎨 Color profile: for natural tones, choose Standard, for more saturated colors, Live.
• ⚙️ Quality: High increases print time but reduces graininess (recommended for portraits).

For advanced users, hidden settings are available. To activate them:

1. In the main printer menu in Mi Home, click 5 times on the gear icon (⚙️).
2. There will be a menu for developers with options: 🔍 Calibration of the head - corrects the shift of colors. 📏 Paper alignment - eliminates distortions when serving. 🌡️ Temperature compensation - regulates the heating of the thermal head (useful when printing in a cold room).

If you are typing from an Android smartphone, activate the option “Optimization for the printer settings” Xiaomi/Redmi". This eliminates the problem with cropping the edges of the image, which occurs due to the features of graphics processing in firmware. MIUI.

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Before you print important photos, make a test print on a draft. To do this, select "Economic Printing Mode" in your printer settings, which reduces dye consumption by 30%.

4. Print from different devices: smartphone, PC, cloud

The main way to print is through the Mi Home app, but there are alternatives:

• 📱 Smartphone (Android/iOS): Open the photo in the gallery →"Share" → select "Print" → Specify the Xiaomi printer. In some firmware (for example, MIUI 14+) Print option integrated into the photo menu.
• 💻 Computer (Windows/macOS): Install the driver from the official Xiaomi website. Connect the printer to the USB (model 2S and 3 In the print menu, select "Xiaomi Photo Printer" and set the settings (see section). 3).
• ☁️ Cloud Printing: Upload photos to Mi Cloud or Google Photos. In the Mi Home app, select Cloud Albums" → specify the desired image.

To print from a MacBook, you may need additional configuration:

sudo cp -R /Library/Printers/Xiaomi /Library/Printers/Xiaomi_bak


sudo curl -L https://mi-global.s3.amazonaws.com/drivers/photo_printer_drv.pkg -o /tmp/xiaomi_drv.pkg




sudo installer -pkg /tmp/xiaomi_drv.pkg -target /

These commands will keep a backup of current drivers and install current ones.

⚠️ Note: When printing from PC via USB Turn off the "Energy Saving" mode for USB-The port is in the device manager, otherwise the printer may suddenly shut down during the process.

5. Solving common mistakes and problems

Even after setting it up properly, users face typical problems, and here's how to fix them:

If the printer prints in green or purple, the problem is that the color profile is incompatible.

1. In the printer settings, select "Reset profile".
2. Manually install the "sRGB" profile (available after updating to version 2.1.0).
3. Print photos pre-converted to sRGB via Lightroom or Photoshop.

Photo Printer 3 models are affected by the error "Error" 0x804" (Failure of communication with Xiaomi servers. It occurs due to blocking access to the servers. API In some regions, bypasses:

1. In the phone settings, change the region to India or Singapore.
2. Restart the Mi Home app.
3. If the error remains, use it. VPN servers in Asia (e.g. Singapore in ProtonVPN).

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Most errors are due to unstable power or network settings. Always start your diagnosis by checking the power supply and rebooting the router.

6. Update firmware and reset to factory settings

Regular firmware updates fix bugs and add new features (e.g. iCloud printing support in version 2.3.5).

1. Open Mi Home → select a printer →"Settings" →"Firmware update".
2. If the update is not available, check it out: 🌐 Internet connection (the printer must be on the same network as the phone). 📱 Mi Home version of the app (update in the store). 🔋 Printer charge (less than 20% blocks the update).

1S

Fastboot

If the printer is unstable, reset:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press the power button for 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing yellow.
3. Release the button and the printer will restart in factory condition.

After reset, you will have to reconnect the device to Mi Home.

⚠️ Note: In Photo Printer models 2S The reset also erases the calibration data of the thermal head, and then you have to start "Auto-Tune" in the printer menu.

For manual firmware (if the automatic update does not work):

1. Download the firmware for your model from miuirom.org ("Printers" section).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the file to update.zip.
3. Place it in the microSD card root folder (only Model 3 supports the card update).
4. Insert the card into the printer and hold the power button for 5 seconds.

7. Care and extension tips

The average lifetime of a thermohead in Xiaomi printers is 500-800 prints.

• 🧹 Clean: Every 50 prints wipe the rollers of paper with a dry, lilaless wipe. Use the "Chief Clean" once a month in the printer menu (3 consecutive cycles).
• 🌡️ Storage conditions: Store the printer at 10–30 temperatures°C and 30-70% humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, which spoils the heat-sensitive layer of paper.
• ⚡ Power: Do not use a powerbank printer - voltage surges shorten the life of the thermal head. After printing, turn off the device (in standby mode consumed) ~0.5 watts, but it increases wear and tear of electronics).

For the storage of photographic paper:

• 📦 Keep the cartridge in the original packaging with silica gel.
• 🕒 Do not store paper for more than 6 months – it loses its sensitivity to heat.
• 🚫 Do not use expired paper (specified on packaging).

If the printer has not been used for more than a month, do the following before printing:

1. "Test seal" (empty sheet for heating the head).
2. "Calibration of color" (in the menu "For developers").

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To print documents (checks, tickets), use Text mode in the quality settings, which reduces paper consumption by 40% by compacting lines.

8 Model comparison: which Xiaomi photo printer to choose in 2026

Xiaomi produces three main models of photo printers, their key differences:

Who's the right model:

• 👶 1S — for gifts to children or printing small photographs (for example, for albums).
• 👨💼 2S — Best choice for the house: balance of price and quality, support USB-print-out.
• 🎨 3 for professionals or those who print frequently: better color quality, microSD support and advanced settings.

If you choose between 2S 3, pay attention to the cartridge resource:

• 2S: 30 sheet cartridge (replacement) ~1 200 ₽).
• 3: 50 sheet cartridge (replacement) ~1 500 ₽), but there's an option XL 100-sheet (~2 500 ₽).

With intensive printing (more than 20 photos / week), the 3rd model will be more profitable despite the high initial price.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi photo printers