How to scan a document on a Xiaomi Redmi phone: from standard tools to professional applications

The document scanner in your pocket is a reality for Xiaomi Redmi smartphone owners, and you don't have to look for an MFP or spend time visiting a copier: modern phones do just as well as specialized technology. But how do you get the perfect result? Because poor lighting, shadows, or a curved angle of photography can ruin even an important contract.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to scan on Redmi – from built-in features. MIUI to third-party applications OCR (You will learn how to save a document in PDF or JPG, edit it before it's sent, and why it's better to use gallery mode instead of camera, and a unique life hack to scan multi-page documents without losing quality.

1. Built-in scanner in the Camera application: a quick way without installing programs

The easiest way is to use the standard Camera app on your Xiaomi Redmi, which is built in by default, but many users don't even know it exists, to activate the mode:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Flick the shooting modes left to Document (on some models – Professional) → Doc.).
3. Hover the lens over the document - the phone will automatically highlight the boundaries of the sheet with a yellow frame.
4. Press the shutter button, and the system will adjust the perspective and improve the clarity.

The finished image is saved in the gallery in the Scana folder, and from there it can be exported to the PDF Or send it through a messenger, and the main advantage of this method is that it can be processed instantly without the need for manual pruning:

• 📸 Low quality in low light – the built-in algorithm doesn’t always cope with shadows.
• 📄 No function. OCR — The text on the scan is not recognized as editable.
• 🔄 Limited settings – you cannot select a resolution or save format (only) JPG).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with version MIUI Below mode 12 Document may not be available. Update firmware through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

2.Scanning through the "Gallery": a hidden function MIUI

Few people know, but the standard Xiaomi Gallery has a tool for scanning documents, it works even on older Redmi models (like the Redmi Note 8 or Redmi). 9A) And it allows you to process the photos you've taken:

1. Take a photo of the document in the normal camera mode (preferably with good lighting).
2. Open the picture in the gallery.
3. Slip on the Edit icon (pencil in the bottom menu).
4. Select the Tools tab → Scan of the document.
5. Confirm the border trimming and press Save.

This is a convenient way to do this if you forgot to turn on Document mode when you're shooting, but it requires manual settings to the frame, which takes longer. PDF:

• 📱 Automatic perspective correction – corrects “bulled” corners.
• 🎨 Contrast adjustment – Makes the text clearer.
• 🔍 Scaling – Small details can be increased.

Take a photo of the document on a flat surface|

Open the photo in the Gallery|

Press "Edit" → "Tools"|

Select "Scan of the document" and cut the boundaries|

Keep the result in PDF/JPG-->

3. Scanning apps: top-5 solutions

If the built-in tools MIUI Not enough, third-party apps will come to the rescue, and they offer advanced features: text recognition (OCR), cloud storage, editing PDF We tested 15 programs and selected the best ones for Xiaomi Redmi:

For most tasks, we recommend Microsoft Lens, which is free, ad-free, and integrates perfectly with office tools. OCR In Russian, it is better to choose Adobe Scan or FineScanner (the latter supports Cyrillic recognition even in the free version).

⚠️ Note: Apps like CamScanner and FineScanner are free to add watermarks to scans, and you need a subscription (from 200 to zero) to remove them. ₽/month).

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If you scan your passport or other photo document, use Color Scan mode in the app settings. Black and white will make the photo unreadable!

4. Scanning multi-page documents: life hacks for Redmi

What do you do when you have to scan a 10-page contract or a book? It's not easy to take a hand-picture of each sheet. Fortunately, there are ways to automate the process.

Method 1: CamScanner serial shooting mode

Open the CamScanner app, select the Scan Pack, and take pictures of all the pages in sequence. PDF-The main thing is to watch to:

• 📖 The pages didn't overlap.
• 💡 The lighting was the same in all the pictures.
• 📏 The distance from the camera to the document has not changed.

Method 2: Google Drive + hand-assembly

If you do not want to install third-party applications:

1. Take a photo of each page in Document mode (in a standard camera).
2. Upload all files to the folder on Google Drive.
3. Select them, press them again. → Create PDF.

A unique tip for Redmi: Use Macro Shooting mode (if your model has one) to scan small documents (like checks or business cards), which reduces blur when shooting from close range.

5. camera settings for the perfect scan: understand the details

The scan quality is 80% dependent on the camera settings being right, even on budget Redmi models (like the Redmi). 10A or Redmi 12C) You can get professional results if you:

• 🔦 Shut down. HDR — This feature can create artifacts on the text.
• 📏 Use the grid (includes in camera settings) for smooth framing.
• 🔍 Set manual focusing (in professional mode) if autofocus misses».
• 🌡️ Choose a white daylight balance (even with artificial lighting).

For supported models RAW (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) You can take a picture in this format and then convert it to PDF It's going to give you the most detail, but it's going to weigh 3 to 5 times as much.

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To scan documents from a glossy surface (for example, magazines), use a polarizing filter or paste matte tape on the document - this will remove glare.

6. Processing and editing scans on Redmi

The scan is done, but it shows shadows, curves, or unnecessary backgrounds, and you can fix it right on your phone with standard and third-party tools.

Editing in Gallery MIUI

Open the scan in the Gallery, click Edit and use:

• 🖼️ Pruning - to remove excess edges.
• 🎛️ Correction → Perspective – straightens “busy” documents.
• 🌓 Brightness/Contrast – improves readability of faded text.

Professional Processing in Snapseed

For complex cases (for example, scans with a yellow tint or spots), Google’s free Snapseed app is suitable:

1. Import the scan into the app.
2. Select the Correction tool → White balance.
3. Use the black and white filter for documents without color elements (reduces file size).
4. Export in PDF export → Keep a copy.

⚠️ Note: When converting to PDF through third-party applications, check the compression settings. Too much compression (for example, in CamScanner when selecting Small Size) can make text unreadable.

7.Saving and sending scans: formats and services

The finished scan needs not only to be saved, but also to be exported correctly, and the format depends on the quality, file size and compatibility with different devices.

Which format should I choose?

• 📄 PDF — universal text option (supports content search if enabled) OCR).
• 🖼️ JPEG — for color documents (passport photo, diplomas).
• 🖌️ PNG — If you need a transparent background (for example, for logos).
• 📑 DjVu – for multi-page documents with minimal weight (requires special programs to view).

Where do I upload the scans?

For storage and sharing, it is convenient to use cloud services:

To send scans by email or messengers (for example, Telegram or WhatsApp), it is better to compress files to 5-10 MB. Otherwise, they may not reach or lose quality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scanning on Xiaomi Redmi