How to scan a document on a Xiaomi phone: everything from built-in tools to professional applications

Scan documents via smartphone has long replaced bulky MFPs, and Xiaomi owners get additional bonuses thanks to optimized firmware MIUI. But even in 2026, many users don't know that their Redmi Note 12 or even the Redmi Note is a big deal. POCO X5 create PDF-scans up to 300 dpi, no additional software, but the problem is that the scanning functions are spread out across different menus, and their capabilities vary depending on the version. MIUI device models.

This article will not just list the ways, but will help you choose the best method depending on the task: whether you need to quickly scan your passport for a bank, create an archived scan of a high-resolution diploma or send a multi-page contract to the cloud. We tested all options on the current models Xiaomi 14, Redmi 13C and POCO F5 — The results of the comparison are shown in the table below, and if you work with sensitive documents, pay attention to the hidden function. MIUI, autodelete EXIF-Data from scans (including geolocation and phone model).

1. Built-in scanner in the Camera app: hidden settings MIUI

The most obvious, but often underestimated, way is to use the standard Camera app. MIUI 14/15 Document scanning is integrated into Document mode, but it depends on regional firmware. 13T Available for perspective correction and global Redmi A2 — just basic scanning.

To activate the mode:

• 📷 Open the Camera app and swipe left across the screen to switch to Additional mode (or tap three dots in the upper right corner).
• 📄 Select Document (on some models - Scan of Document).
• 🔍 Point the camera at the document, the system will automatically highlight the boundaries. To manually correct the screen, touch the corners of the frame and drag the corners of the frame.
• 💡 Tip: Click on the icon ⚙️ in the upper right corner to enable text enhancement (increases contrast) and color photography (default scans are black and white).

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If the scan is blurry, turn on the Macro mode in the camera settings – this will help when shooting small texts (for example, serial numbers).

The main disadvantage of the built-in scanner is that it doesn't have a multi-page scanning function, so each sheet has to be saved separately and then combined into a single page. PDF Manually through Files or Google Drive, but this method does not require the Internet and works offline.

2.The Files app from Xiaomi: scanning + OCR

Few people know, but the standard File Manager application is MIUI It has a built-in scanner with text recognition function (OCR). This is convenient if you not only need to save the image of the document, but also extract the text from it for editing. MIUI 12.5+.

Instructions for use:

1. Open the Files app and go to the Scanner tab (icon) 📄 bottom-line).
2. Point the camera at the document. The system will automatically take a picture when it detects even edges.
3. Click Ready, then select Remove Text for OCR or Save as PDF.
4. For multi-page documents, click + Add a page before saving.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Built-in OCR 20+ languages including Russian, English and Chinese.
• 📁 Automatic sorting of scans by folders (Documents, Checks, Others).
• 🔒 The ability to add a password to PDF (a) when maintained (available on the MIUI 14+).

Clean the camera lens of fingerprints

Place the document on a dark, flat surface

Turn on bright lighting (avoid glare)

Turn off mode "HDR" in camera settings (it degrades text clarity)-->

⚠️ Attention: OCR In the Files app, you only work when you're connected to the Internet, because text recognition is done on Xiaomi servers. If you need offline recognition, use third-party apps like Adobe Scan or CamScanner.

3.Google Drive: Cloud-based scanning with automatic processing

If you're a Google user, a built-in scanner in Google Drive is the best solution, not only to save documents to the cloud, but also to automatically improve the quality of your scans with Google Lens algorithms, and the main advantage is synchronization with all devices and the ability to share files.

How to Scan Through Google Drive:

• 📁 Open the Google Drive app and click on the icon + lower-right.
• 📷 Select Scan (or Scan on some versions).
• 🖼️ Take a photo of a document. Google will automatically trim the edges and improve contrast.
• 🔄 If necessary, add additional pages by clicking on the icon +.
• 💾 Click Save – the file will automatically download to your Drive in format PDF.

Features of scanning through Google Drive:

Google Drive is ideal for multi-page documents (such as contracts or books), but keep in mind that free storage is limited to 15 GB. If you scan a large number of documents, we recommend periodically clearing the basket or archiving old files.

Xiaomi's built-in camera

The Files app from Xiaomi

Google Drive or other cloud service

Application side (CamScanner, Adobe Scan)

I don't scan my documents through my phone.-->

Annex side: when professional functions are required

If embedded tools MIUI or Google doesn’t meet your requirements (e.g., you need to scan passports with holograms or two-way documents), you should pay attention to specialized applications. We tested 5 popular scanners on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and highlighted the best options for different tasks.

Top.-3 Apps to scan for Xiaomi:

• 🥇 Adobe Scan is the best choice for legal documents. Automatically remove shadows, support OCR 100+ Languages and exports to editable Word. minus: requires registration for synchronization.
• 🥈 CamScanner is the best for business documents, there's an electronic signature feature and 200MB of cloud storage in the free version. POCO F4 showed the best processing speed among analogues.
• 🥉 Microsoft Lens is ideal for integration with Office 365. It recognizes tables for free and saves them to Excel. The Redmi Note 11 has the smallest size. PDF quality-conserving.

When choosing a third-party scanner, pay attention to:

• 🔒 Privacy Policy: Some applications (e.g. FineScanner) send scans to servers for processing.
• 📱 Optimization for MIUI: Xiaomi 12T Adobe Scan was more stable than CamScanner because of its better HyperOS adaptation.
• 💰 Hidden payments: CamScanner free version adds watermarks to the PDF, Adobe Scan limits the number of scans per month.

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To scan color documents (such as diplomas or certificates) use Microsoft Lens – it is better than others to preserve the original colors without distortion.

⚠️ Note: When installing third-party scanners, waive permission to access SMS and calls - these rights are not necessary for scanning documents and can be used to collect personal data.

5. Secret functions MIUI scanner

Firmware MIUI/HyperOS It contains hidden settings that allow you to improve the quality of scans without additional applications. These features are not documented, but work on most models, starting with Xiaomi. 11.

3 Hidden Opportunities for Perfect Scans:

• 🔍 Super Resolution Mode: Activated via the Engineering Menu (enter the Phone app code ##4636##, then select Camera Testing) Allows you to increase the scan resolution to 400 dpi, but only works in good lighting.
• 📛 Removal EXIF-Data: In camera settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Confidentiality: Enable the option to Delete metadata, which will remove location, phone model and shooting date information from the scanner, which is critical for sensitive documents.
• 🎛️ Manual white balance setting: In Document Mode, hold your finger on the screen until the slider appears WB (This will help to avoid yellowness on scans in artificial lighting.

Another little-known trick is using Pro mode in the scanning camera. Switch to that, set it up. ISO on 100, a-survey 1/125 — This minimizes the noise on scans in low light, but it requires the ability to manually adjust the camera.

6. Optimization PDF: How to reduce file size without losing quality

Document scans often take up too much space, for example, PDF High-resolution passports can weigh in 10-15 MB, which is inconvenient for mailing. MIUI There are built-in compression tools, but they are hidden in non-obvious menus.

3 ways to reduce PDF Xiaomi:

1. Through the Files app: Open PDF In the Files app, click More → Select Quality Medium (recommended for documents) or Low (drafts).
2. Using Google Drive: Download PDF In Google Drive, open it through Google Docs, then select File → Download → PDF. The service automatically optimizes the file.
3. Using the application "PDF Viewer: Install a standard application PDF Viewer from Xiaomi (available in GetApps). Open file, click ⋮ → Optimize and select a target size (e.g., 1 MB).

For maximum compression without loss of readability of the text, use the settings:

• 📄 Resolution: 150 dpi (sufficient for most documents).
• 🎨 Color scheme: Black and white (reduces size in size) 3-5 colored).
• 🗜️ Format: PDF/A (Archival Standard, supported by all banks).

If you need to send a scan by email, but the file is too large, use the service Smallpdf (smallpdf.com). PDF Up to 1 MB without registration, keeping the text readable.

7 Problems and Solutions: Why Scans Are Bad

Even on Xiaomi's flagship models, scans can be blurry, glare or warped, and 90 percent of the time, the problem isn't with the camera, but with the wrong settings or shooting conditions, and we've collected common errors and ways to fix them.

Top.-5 problems and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative scanning method:

1. Take a picture of the document in Pro mode with settings: ISO: 100 Excerpt: 1/200 Focus: Manual (on text) Format: RAW (if available)
2. Transfer the file to your PC and process it in Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (pruning tools → Perspective → Black and white).
3. Save the result in PDF via File → Exports → PDF.

⚠️ Warning: When scanning passports or driver's licenses, disable Auto Improve in scanner settings. Artificial contrast enhancement can make document protection (holograms, microtext) unreadable, leading to the rejection of the scan by banks or government services.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions