Xiaomi Document Scanning: From Passport to Checks in 30 Seconds

Why is it easier to scan documents from Xiaomi phone than from a printer?

The scanner in the modern Xiaomi smartphone replaces bulky MFPs and saves time: no need to search for drivers, connect the device via USB or wait for the lamp to warm up. Just deliver the phone at a distance of 20-30 cm from the document - and in a few seconds you will get a digital copy in PDF or JPG format with a resolution of up to 12 MP (on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

The key benefits of mobile scanning:

• 📱 Instant result: the photo is converted to a scan in 1-2 seconds (versus 10-15 seconds on the printer).
• 🔍 Autocorrecting Perspective: Algorithms MIUI Google Lens automatically “straightens” the curved edges of a document.
• 📂 Easy storage: scans are saved to the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud, accessible from any device.
• 💰 Free: does not require the purchase of additional software (unlike PC software like this) ABBYY FineReader).

But there are pitfalls: scans can turn dark in poor light, and some apps add watermarks at free rates. In this article, we’ll look at how to avoid the typical bugs and get a scan that’s indistinguishable from the original — even if you have a budget Redmi Note 12.

Method 1: Built-in Scanner application in MIUI

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has introduced its native Scanner app** (a blue square icon with a white document) preinstalled on most models, including the POCO X5 Pro, Redmi 13C and Xiaomi 13T. The main advantage is the integration with the system: scans are automatically saved to the Documents/Scans folder and are available in the gallery.

How to use:

1. Open the Scanner app** (if you don’t find it, check the Tools folder or search the system).

Limitations of the built-in scanner:

• ⚠️ Not supportive. OCR (text recognition) for scanning.

Make sure the document is on a flat surface.|

Turn on bright lights (avoid shadows) |

Turn off Portrait mode in camera settings|

Close the background applications to save RAM-->

Method 2: Google Lens – Scanning with Text Recognition

Google Lens (built into Google Photos or available as a standalone app) not only scans documents, but also recognizes text in 100+ languages, which is useful for creating editable copies of passports, contracts or checks, for example, you can scan the TIN and immediately copy the number to the clipboard.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Photos → click on the Google Lens icon (or launch the Lens app separately).
2. Point the camera at the document. Wait for the text to light up in blue.
3. Click Capture, then select Copy Text or Save as PDF.

The advantages of Google Lens:

• 🌍 Recognizes Cyrillic, Latin and even hieroglyphics.
• 🔎 Allows you to search for text from a crawl in Google Search (such as a law or article number).
• 📎 Integrates with Google Drive for Automatic Download.

⚠️ Note: If the document contains sensitive data (such as a passport), disable sync with Google Account in the app settings.Scans can be saved on Google servers to improve recognition algorithms.

Method 3: Third-party applications - comparison top-3

If the built-in tools don't work, consider specialized applications. We tested 10 programs and selected the best for Xiaomi in terms of function and convenience.

Selection recommendations:

• 📄 For multi-page documents (50)+ Adobe Scan is suitable for pages – it automatically numberes the pages and optimizes the size PDF.
• 🔍 If you want to search text in a scan, choose CamScanner (but be prepared to pay for removing watermarks).
• 💼 For business documentation (contracts, acts) better Microsoft Lens – it retains original quality and integrates with Office 365.

⚠️ Note: Apps like CamScanner and FineScanner often collect scan metadata (date, geolocation, document type). → Annexes → Permits and disable access to contacts and SMS.

Method 4: Scanning with Quick Tools

Few people know, but MIUI has a hidden Quick Tools feature that allows you to scan documents directly from the lock screen, which is convenient if you need to urgently scan a check or a business card without unlocking your phone.

How to turn on and use:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Quick tools.
2. Find the Scanner icon and drag it to the active area.
3. Now on the lock screen swipe left → click on the scanner icon.
4. Take a picture of the document and save it to the Gallery → Scans.

Limitations of the method:

• It only works on devices with MIUI 13+ (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11).
• There is no way to edit the scan after capture (you will have to use third-party editors).
• The maximum quality is 1080p (suitable for checks, but not for official documents).

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If Quick Tools doesn’t show up, update your firmware via Settings → About Phone → System Update. On some models (e.g. POCO F4), the function is hidden and requires activation through Developer Settings (enable them by clicking 7 times on the MIUI version).

How to improve the quality of the scan: 7 professional tips

Even with a good application, the scan can be blurred or dark, and follow these guidelines to get results that are indistinguishable from a professional scanner:

1. Post-processing: Use Snapseed or Lightroom to increase contrast (Contrast: +20, Clarity: +15).

Critical error: Never scan documents in HEIC format (used by default on some Xiaomi) which is not supported by most printers and government services. Always save to JPG or PDF.

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To scan color documents (diplomas, certificates), turn off the black and white filter in the scanner settings, otherwise the print will lose its official appearance.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with the right settings, you can get errors, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them:

If the scan still fails to make quality, try an alternative method:

1. Take a picture of the document in 48 MP mode (available on Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60).
2. Upload the photo to Online2PDF and convert it to PDF with settings: DPI: 600 Color: Black and White Compression: FlateDecode

FAQ: Answers to popular questions