How to scan a document on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways MIUI Google Drive

Document scanner in your pocket is a reality for owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. You don't have to look for MFPs or run to the copier: modern phones can digitize papers as well as professional equipment. But how do you make a scan with quality, without glare and distortion? And what tools are already built into the system? MIUI, What to look for from third-party applications?

In this article, we will analyze 5 proven methods of scanning - from the standard Scanner app to hidden features of Google Drive and Notes.

• 📱 Set up automatic alignment and text improvement
• 🔍 Scan your passport or diploma so that they are accepted by the state authorities
• 📑 Keeping multi-page documents in one PDF-file
• 🌐 Send scans directly from the app without saving to the gallery

And also - unique life hacks for models with an infrared port (for example, Xiaomi). 13T Pros, which allow you to scan documents even in complete darkness.

1.The built-in "Scanner" in MIUI: Where to find and how to use

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has its own scanning app, the Scanner (or Scanner in global versions), pre-installed on all models from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but many users do not even know it exists.

To open:

1. Open the menu of all applications (swipe up the main screen).
2. Enter in the search bar “Scanner” or find an icon with the image of the document and a magnifier.
3. If there is no application, check the Tools folder.

Advantages of the built-in scanner:

• 🔹 Automatic edge trimming – the document is leveled in corners without manual adjustment.
• 🔹 Color modes: black and white (for text), color (for photos) and smart (auto-selection).
• 🔹 Exports to PDF/JPG with a choice of quality (up to) 300 dpi for official documents).
• 🔹 No Ads and Restrictions – Unlike Most Third Party Apps.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G) The scanner may be missing due to localization, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Place the document on a flat surface with a contrasting background|

Turn on bright lights (but avoid glare from lamps)|

Clean the camera of dust and prints|

Turn off the Ultra-Savings mode in the battery settings-->

2. Scan through Notes: Hidden function MIUI

Few people know, but Xiaomi’s standard Notes app can scan documents as well as specialized programs, a feature that’s especially handy if you need to quickly save a check, receipt or book page.

Instructions:

1. Open your notes and create a new note.
2. Click on the camera icon in the lower menu.
3. Select Scan Document Mode (can be called Document or Text).
4. Point the camera at the sheet – the app will automatically take a picture when focusing.
5. Edit the boundaries (if necessary) and save as an image or PDF.

The main difference from the built-in scanner:

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If you need to scan a book or thick document, use Panorama mode in a standard camera, and then trim the excess in the Gallery app (Edit → Pruning → Relationship → Document).

3.Google Drive: Scanning with Auto-Loading to the Cloud

If you are actively using Google services, you can scan documents directly through Google Drive. This method is suitable for owners of Xiaomi on any version. MIUI, including older models like Redmi 9A.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google Drive (if not already installed).
2. Open the app and press «+» → «Scan».
3. Point the camera at the document. Google will automatically find the boundaries and take a picture.
4. Edit the scan (trimming, turning, filters) and click Save.
5. The file will be uploaded to your cloud and available on all devices.

Pros of the method:

• 🌍 Sync with all devices through your Google account.
• 🔍 Built-in OCR — You can copy the text from the scan (works on 100).+ language).
• 📂 Automatic folder organization (e.g., “Scans 2026»).

⚠️ Note: When scanning your passport or other ID through Google Drive, files are stored on the company's servers. If privacy is critical, use offline apps (see Section 5).

Built-in scanner» MIUI|

Annex “Notes»|

Google Drive|

Third-party applications (CamScanner, Adobe Scan)|

In other ways.-->

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

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you, look for specialized apps that offer advanced features like cloud storage, electronic signatures, and text recognition (OCR).

Top.-3 Apps to scan for Xiaomi:

• 📄 CamScanner is the market leader with automatic color correction and support PDF/A (Downside: Free version adds watermarks.
• 📑 Adobe Scan – Integration with Adobe Acrobat for editing PDF. Plus: Freely saves without watermarks.
• 🖼️ Microsoft Lens – optimized for office documents, supports Word and PowerPoint exports.

How do you choose?

5.Scanning in complete darkness: life hack for Xiaomi with an IR port

If you need to scan a document at night or indoors without lighting, use infrared illumination, a feature available on IR-port models such as:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13T Pro
• 📱 Xiaomi 12S Ultra
• 📱 Redmi K60 Pro
• 📱 POCO F5 Pro

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Remote Controller app (if not already installed).
2. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Infrared port.
3. Enable the IR lighting option (or IR Blaster Light).
4. Run any scanning application (such as the built-in scanner).
5. Point the camera at the document - the IR illumination will illuminate it with light invisible to the eye, but the camera will capture the image.

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IR lighting only works up to 30 cm from the document, and for best results, use a tripod or put your phone on a stack of books.

This method is indispensable for scanning:

• 📜 Old photos that can not be exposed to bright light.
• 🔐 Documents in museums or archives where flash photography is prohibited.
• 🌙 Night receipts or checks (such as at a hotel or airport).

6.How to improve scan quality: post-processing

Even a perfectly scanned document can require some work, and here are 3 tools to help you get the file in order:

Adobe Acrobat Reader (for the purposes of: PDF):

• 🔹 Removal of backgrounds (Edit PDF → Improve the scan).
• 🔹 Rotating and trimming pages.
• 🔹 Optical text recognition (OCR).

2. Snapseed (for images) JPG/PNG):

• 🔹 The Perspective Tool - Corrects Curves.
• 🔹 Selective correction – lightens dark areas.
• 🔹 Black and white filter improves text contrast.

3. Online services (if you need to quickly):

• 🌐 iLovePDF – Compression, Combination, Separation PDF.
• 🌐 Online2PDF — OCR and format conversion.

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If the scan is too dark, use the Exposure tool in Snapseed (+15-20 percent and Shadows (+30–40%) Temperature filter is suitable to remove yellowness in old documents (shift the slider towards blue).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes face problems with scanning, here are 5 common errors and their solutions:

1. The glare on the document

⚠️ Warning: Never scan documents in direct sunlight or in front of a lamp. Use diffuse light (such as a lampshade) or turn on the phone mode HDR manually (Camera settings) → HDR → On.).

2. Distorted edges

• Put the document on a dark surface (such as a worktop or a book) – it is easier for the application to define boundaries.
• Manually adjust the angles in the scan editor (most applications allow you to pull markers).

3. Poor text quality

• Choose Black and White or Shades of Grey mode, which increases the contrast.
• Increase the resolution to 300 dpi (in export settings).

4. Large file size

• V PDF-Select the option to compress or optimize for the web.
• For JPG Setting 80-85% quality is enough for most tasks.

5.The application does not save scans

• Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → [Name of the scanner] → Permits → Warehouse.
• Clear the app cache (Settings) → Annexes → Clear the cache).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions