How to crop photos on Xiaomi phone: all the ways from standard to professional

Cutting photos on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that every user faces. Whether you want to remove unnecessary elements in the picture, adjust the image to the Instagram storis format or just improve the composition, modern phones of the brand offer several ways to do it. In this article, we'll look at all the methods available, from embedded tools. MIUI Up to professional apps that will turn your Redmi or Poco into a mini-photo studio.

It is important to understand that the process of trimming can vary depending on the phone model and firmware version. for example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the X-ray. MIUI 14 Gallery algorithm is different from what you will see on the Redmi Note 10 MIUI 12.5 We've taken these nuances into account and developed universal instructions that will work for most devices, and you'll also learn how to maintain original image quality after cropping and avoid common errors.

If you have never edited a photo on your phone before, or if you think it requires sophisticated software, this article will clear your mind, and with our recommendations, you can crop your photos in just a few touches of the screen, without loss of quality and with perfect results.

Method 1: Trimming through the standard Xiaomi gallery

The easiest and most affordable way to crop photos on Xiaomi is to use the built-in gallery. MIUI. This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works on all models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi. The main advantage is the speed and integration with the system: all changes are saved automatically, and the original photo remains intact (unless you choose the option of replacing the system).

To start pruning:

1. Open the Gallery app (icon with multi-colored squares).
2. Find the right photo and tap it to open in full screen mode.
3. In the bottom toolbar, click on the Edit icon** (pencil or palette).
4. In the menu that opens, select the item “Pruning”** (icon with frame and corners).

Now you can:

• 📐 Select proportions from pre-patterns (1:1 for Instagram, 16:9 for wallpaper, 4:3 for print, etc.).
• 🔄 Turn the image to 90.° counterclockwise.
• 🖼️ Freely trim, dragging corners of the frames manually.
• ✅ Apply changes and save a new version of the photo (or replace the original).

⚠️ If you are cutting photos for social networks, keep in mind that Instagram and VK Automatically compress images when uploaded. To avoid loss of quality, save the cropped photo at maximum resolution (Save copy option** in the gallery).

Xiaomi's standard gallery also supports perspective-based cropping - useful for fixing "bullowing" horizons.

1. In the cropping mode, click on the Perspective icon** (line with an angle).
2. Drag the sliders around the edges of the photo to straighten the lines.
3. Confirm the changes – the system will automatically crop the image with the correction.

Check that the photo is not blurred (the cropping will strengthen the artifacts)

Choose the right proportions in advance (e.g. 9:16 for storis)

Make sure all the important elements are left in the frame.

Keep a copy, not replace the original-->

Method 2: Trimming through Google Photos (for Google account holders)

If you use Google Photos to store your photos, you can crop them right in this app, which is convenient because all changes are synced to the cloud and available on other devices. Google Photos also offers more flexible correction tools than the standard Xiaomi gallery.

Instructions for pruning:

1. Open the Google Photos app (if not, download from the Play Market).
2. Select the photo and tap on the Edit icon** (three bars in the bottom panel).
3. Go to the “Pruning” tab** (second icon on the left).
4. Choose proportions or trim by hand by dragging the frame.
5. Click on “Done” and select “Save copy” to avoid losing the original.

Benefits of Google Photos:

• 🔍 Automatic improvement after pruning (the option to improve»**).
• ☁️ Sync with the cloud – edited photos are available on PC and other gadgets.
• 📊 Support for formats RAW (If your Xiaomi shoots in this format).
• 🎨 Additional filters after pruning.

⚠️ Note: When cropping in Google Photos, the photo is saved in a compressed format (even if the original was in high resolution).If you want maximum quality, use the standard Xiaomi gallery or specialized applications from the next section.

In fact, Google Photos has a unique feature called Auto-Pruning, which analyzes the composition and suggests the best shot.

1. In the trimming mode, click on the icon "Auto"** (magic wand).
2. The app will offer several framing options - choose the right one.
3. If necessary, adjust the frame manually.

Xiaomi Standard Gallery

Google Photo

Third-party applications (Snapseed, Lightroom, etc.)

I don't edit the photo.-->

Method 3: Professional cropping in Snapseed (for advanced users)

If you need advanced trimming capabilities – for example, perspective correction, turn in 1 increments°, Or layering, which is something that you should look at Google's Snapseed, which is a free, professional tooling app that photographers often use for mobile processing.

How to crop photos in Snapseed:

1. Install the app from the Play Market (weighs) ~25MB).
2. Open the photo in Snapseed and tap on the Tools icon** (pencil below).
3. Select “Pruning” (Crop in English version).
4. Set up the frame by choosing proportions or trimming by hand.
5. Apply the changes and export the photo (Export button** in the lower right corner).

How Snapseed is better than standard tools:

Snapseed allows you to crop photos with the rule of thirds in mind: a grid is displayed in the trimming settings, which helps you correctly position key elements of the frame, which is especially useful for portraits or landscapes where composition plays a key role.

Advice for users of Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens: Snapseed can enable the “Dark Theme” mode** in settings to reduce eye strain during long-term photo processing.

💡

If you need to crop a photo to print, in Snapseed, select proportions 3:2 or 4:3 — They correspond to standard photo formats (10×15 centimeter, 15×20 cm.).

Method 4: Quick cropping through the Share Menu

Few people know, but Xiaomi can crop photos directly when you try to send them — for example, to the messenger or social network, which saves time if you need to quickly adjust the image to the requirements of the platform (for example, crop to the square for WhatsApp avatar).

How it works:

1. Open the photo in the gallery and click Share** (the icon with three dots and arrows).
2. Select the application where you want to send the photo (for example, Telegram or Telegram). VK).
3. In the preview window that appears, tap on the “Pruning” icon** (scissors or frame).
4. Customize the frame and click “Done”** – the photo will automatically crop and go to the selected application.

This method is convenient for:

• 📱 Fast trimming of avatars for social networks.
• 📤 Fitting photos to the requirements of messengers (for example, Telegram cuts the preview of messages to 1: 1).
• 📎 Sending screenshots with cropping of extra parts (for example, notification panels).

⚠️ Note: When cropped through the Share menu, the original photo is not saved in the gallery - the changes only apply to the copy that is sent to the messenger. If you need to save the cropped version, use the standard gallery or Google Photos.

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 or Redmi) K50) The "Fast Process" option is available in the Share menu,** where you can apply filters or change the brightness in addition to trimming, which is convenient if you need to not only crop, but also slightly improve the photo before sending it.

Method 5: Pruning with a file manager (for power users)

If you prefer to work with files directly, you can crop photos through the standard Xiaomi File Manager (Files app) This method is suitable for those who store photos in folders rather than in a gallery, or work with images downloaded from the Internet.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Files app** (folder icon).
2. Go to the folder with the photo (usually this one) DCIM → Camera or Pictures).
3. Find the desired image and tap it – a preview will open.
4. In the bottom panel, click on the "Edit" icon** (pencil).
5. Select “Pruning”** and set the frame.
6. Save the changes (Save as a new file option is recommended).

Advantages of this method:

• 🗃️ Work with any images, even those that are not displayed in the gallery (for example, downloaded.png or.webp).
• 🔍 Viewing EXIF-data (information about the camera, shooting settings, etc.).
• 📂 Quick renaming of cropped photo directly in the manager.

Note that the Xiaomi file manager has basic cropping tools available, without advanced features like perspective correction, but you can view and crop multiple photos in a row, which is convenient for batch processing.

Hidden trimming features on Xiaomi: what you didn’t know

Firmware MIUI It hides some useful cropping chips that few people know about, which can save time or improve editing results.

Pruning with the face (for portraits)

If there is a person in the photo, the Xiaomi gallery can automatically recognize the face and offer optimal framing.

1. Open the photo in the gallery and click "Edit"**.
2. Select "Pruning"**.
3. Slip on the icon "Auto"** (magic wand) - the system will analyze the composition and offer options.

2. Save the cropped version to a separate folder

To avoid confusing the originals and the edited photos, set up automatic copy saving to a separate folder:

1. Open the gallery, tap three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings.
2. Go to the section "Editing"**.
3. Enable the option "Save copies to the Edited folder"**.

3. cropping screenshots immediately after creation

On Xiaomi, you can crop the screenshot right after it is created without opening the gallery:

1. Take a screenshot (by a combination of buttons or gesture).
2. In the notification that appears, tap on "Edit"**.
3. Select “Pruning”** and set the frame.
4. Save the changes – the screenshot will be cut without opening the gallery.

4.Use of gestures for quick trimming

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 12 or Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) Supported gestures for editing:

• 👆 Swipe up the photo in the gallery - opens the editing menu.
• 🤏 Pinch with two fingers in cropping mode - zooms the image.
• 🔄 Double tap - drops the pruning to the original appearance.

💡

Hidden functions of pruning in MIUI It saves up to 50% of editing time by using automatic framing and gestures.

Frequent Mistakes When Cutting Photos on Xiaomi and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the final photo, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. Loss of quality while maintaining

If the cropped photo became soapy or lost detail, chances are you saved it in a compressed format.

• In the Xiaomi Gallery, choose “Save a copy” instead of “Replace the original.”
• In Snapseed or Lightroom, export your photos in the highest quality (the option is “100% quality”**).
• Avoid editing one photo multiple times – overcompression occurs every time you save it.

2. The wrong proportions for social networks

Each platform has its own photo size requirements:

3. Pruning with distorted perspective

If you have straight lines in the photo (for example, the horizon or the walls of buildings), incorrect pruning can bend them.

• Use the “Perspective” feature** in the Xiaomi or Snapseed Gallery.
• Turn on the grid (Show the grid option) to control the horizon.
• Avoid scaling too much, as this increases distortion.

4. Loss of important frame elements

When pruning, it's easy to cut off a part of an object (like the top of a person or the edge of a building) so that it doesn't happen:

• Use the rule of thirds – place key elements at the intersection of grid lines.
• Before cropping, duplicate the photo (hold your finger on the image in the gallery and select Copy**).
• Check the final frame in preview mode before saving.

💡

If you crop a photo for printing, add margin at the edges (5-10%) – many photo labs crop part of the image when setting formats.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about cropping photos on Xiaomi