How to scan documents on your Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with photos and videos

Scanning documents via a smartphone has long been a common alternative to bulky MFPs. Xiaomi phone owners (including Redmi lineups, POCO Black Shark and Black Shark get at the disposal of several tools for this task at once - from built-in functions. MIUI to specialized applications with AI-But how do you choose the best way to do that, if you want to scan a passport for a bank, keeping the small text legible, or digitize a multi-page contract with minimal distortion?

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods of scanning documents on Xiaomi – from basic to professional, taking into account the nuances of different versions MIUI (from MIUI 12 You will learn how to avoid the common error of automatically cropping fields when scanning two-way documents, what camera settings guarantee maximum font clarity, and how to convert scans to editable format for free.PDF/A And at the end, a checklist to check the quality of the scan before it's sent to the government or the bank.

1. Built-in scanning in MIUI: where to look and how to use

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has a hidden document scanning tool called Document Scanner, integrated into the standard Camera app, but many users are unaware of its existence:

1. Open the Camera app on your Xiaomi.
2. Swipe your finger left on the screen (or click on the icon More) → Document).
3. Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries with a green frame.
4. Press the shutter button. The finished scan will be saved in the folder. DCIM/Screenshots format.JPG.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 Instant processing: AI Adjust perspective and brightness in real time.
• 🔹 No watermarks (unlike most third-party apps).
• 🔹 Offline – does not require an internet connection.

⚠️ Note: On models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) The way to function has changed. It's now hidden in the Tools menu. → Document scanner. If you don't have an icon, update your firmware through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

The main disadvantage of the built-in scanner is the lack of support for multi-page documents, for scanning the passport (where you need to combine the reversal) or the contract for 10+ The pages will have to use alternative methods.

2. Files app: hidden scanning function

Few people know, but the standard File Manager application in Xiaomi can scan documents and then save them to the computer.PDF. This function appeared in MIUI 13 and runs on all of the brand's modern devices.Action algorithm:

1. Open the Files app (Blue folder icon).
2. Go to the Tools tab (the wrench icon at the bottom of the screen).
3. Select the Document Scanner.
4. Take a picture of the document, follow the on-screen instructions, and add additional pages if necessary.
5. Click Save and select the format: JPG (for the photo; or PDF (document).

Features of this method:

• 📄 Multi-page support PDF (up to 50 pages in a single file).
• 🔍 Automatic text enhancement (removes shadows, aligns curvature).
• 🔒 The ability to add a password to PDF (save-up).

The Files scanner is ideal for creating archives of documents (e.g., yearly utility receipts (OCR) — This will require third-party applications.

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If the document does not fit into the frame as a whole, take a photo of it in parts, and then combine it into one. PDF via the Files app. To do this, when saving, select the option Add page.

3.Google Drive: Cloud-Saving Scanning

If you need to not only scan a document, but also upload it to the cloud, use the built-in scanner in Google Drive, a method that is suitable for Xiaomi owners who have a synchronized Google account, the advantage of automatic backups and access to files from any device.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
• Click on the icon. + (create) in the lower right corner.
• Select Scan.
• Take a picture of the document. Drive will automatically trim the fields and improve contrast.
• Click Save – the file will appear in the My Discs section in the format.PDF.

Important nuances:

• 🌐 Scans are saved in the original resolution (up to 12 MP on Xiaomi flagships).
• 🔎 Search by text in the PDF (thanks to Google OCR).
• ⚠️ Files take up space in the cloud – if the limit is exhausted, scans will not persist.

⚠️ Note: When scanning your passport or other ID through Google Drive, turn off automatic downloading in Google Photos. In some countries, storing scans of documents in public clouds may violate personal data protection laws (e.g., GOST R). 57580.1-2017 Russian).

For sensitive documents, it is better to use local storage or encrypted containers (for example, Mi Secure Folder on Xiaomi).

4. Third-party apps: top-3 Xiaomi

If the built-in tools don't work, consider specialized applications. We tested dozens of scanners and selected the top three for Xiaomi, given its compatibility with the company. MIUI/HyperOS and optimization for processors Snapdragon/Mediatek.

1. CamScanner (free version with watermarks)

• ✅ AI-Improvement: automatically removes shadows, straightens corners.
• ✅ Exports to PDF, JPG, TXT (s OCR).
• ❌ Watermark on the free version.
• 🔹 Download it to Google Play

2. Adobe Scan (completely free)

• ✅ Integration with Adobe Acrobat for editing PDF.
• ✅ Text recognition by 20+ languages, including Russian).
• ✅ No watermarks.
• 🔹 Download it to Google Play

3. Microsoft Lens (optimized for office documents)

• ✅ Better quality of scanning tables and graphs.
• ✅ Exports to Word, PowerPoint, PDF.
• ✅ Synchronization with OneDrive.
• 🔹 Download it to Google Play

For owners. POCO F5 or Redmi K70 With powerful processors, we recommend Adobe Scan - it best uses the hardware capabilities of the device. OCR. On budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2) Microsoft Lens is optimal because of its lightweight interface.

Clean the camera of dust and prints|Disable energy saving for the application|Energize the "Do not disturb" mode"|Check the vacant space (minimum 500 MB)|Set the document on a flat surface-->

5.Secret chips for the perfect scan

Even with the best software, the scanning results are pre-production-dependent, and here are 7 professional tips that lawyers and accountants use when digitizing documents:

Lighting:

• 💡 Use two light sources at an angle of 45° to the document to avoid glare.
• 🌞 Daylight is preferable to incandescent lamps (they give yellowness).

Camera settings:

• 📸 Manually install. ISO 100-200 and endurance 1/125 purely.
• 🔍 Turn it off. HDR — It can distort the text.
• 📏 Use the grid. 3×3 framingly.

3. Processing:

• 🖼️ In Lightroom Mobile, increase the contrast on the 15-20% and reduce the shadows on 10%.
• 🔠 For OCR In Adobe Scan, select the document language before scanning.

File formats:

• 📄 For government agencies: PDF/A (Archival standard, accepted at the State Services).
• 🖼️ For printing: TIFF (quality-free).
• 📱 For sending to messengers: JPG quality 85%.

To scan the passport of the Russian Federation (where color accuracy is important), adjust the white balance manually to the 4500K — This is in accordance with ISO/IEC standard 19794-5 certification.

6. Scanning errors and how to avoid them

Even experienced users face challenges in digitizing documents, and here are 5 common mistakes and ways to solve them:

Pay special attention to scanning bilateral documents (e.g. workbooks), many applications automatically turn even pages, causing disruption, to avoid this:

1. First, scan all the odd pages.
2. Then all even.
3. Manually arrange the pages in PDF-editor (e.g. Xodo) PDF).

⚠️ Note: When scanning diplomas or certificates with holographic elements, use a polarization filter (you can buy for 200).₽ Without it, holograms will be black spots, and the document may not be accepted.

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To scan A3 documents on your Xiaomi phone, use Panorama mode in a standard camera, and then crop the excess in Google Photos or Snapseed.

7. How a scanned document makes it legally significant

A scan of a document is not always legally valid, but must meet a number of requirements, for example, in Russia, scans are only accepted by government agencies if:

• 📋 Contain clearly readable text (resolution not lower than 200) DPI).
• 🔐 Signed by a qualified electronic signature (CEP).
• 📅 Have a mark on the date and time of scanning (for court cases).

To give the scan legal effect:

1. Scan the document in PDF/A via Adobe Scan.
2. Add an electronic signature to CryptoPro PDF Or Contour. Crypto.
3. Enter the file on the Public Services (section "Electronic documents").

For international documents (e.g. passports), the scan must meet the standard. ICAO 9303 Check the permit and color space requirements on the embassy website.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions