Scanning documents on Xiaomi Redmi: from quick snapshot to professional PDF

Why scanning documents on a smartphone is more convenient than on an MFP

The scanner in the Xiaomi Redmi phone isn’t just a replacement for bulky office equipment, but often a more flexible tool. Current models (from the Redmi Note 10 to the Redmi 12 Pro+) feature multi-megapixel cameras with autofocus and image processing algorithms that automatically align perspective, remove shadows and improve text readability. Unlike a stationary scanner, the smartphone is always at hand, and the result can be instantly mailed or saved to the cloud.

Another key benefit is mobile scanning apps, which don't just take pictures of a document, they convert it into an editable text-recognition (OCR) PDF, such as Xiaomi's built-in Scanner app that automatically trims edges, adjusts color balance, and can even recognize tables, and third-party solutions like CamScanner or Adobe Scan add e-signature and encryption features.

But there are pitfalls: with poor lighting or hand shaking, scan quality can deteriorate, and some apps require subscriptions for advanced features. In this article, we will discuss how to make a scan on Xiaomi Redmi the best possible quality, from selecting an application to fine-tuning the parameters.

📊 How often do you scan documents from your smartphone?
Every day.
1-2 times a week
Rarely, if necessary.
Never tried.

Method 1: Built-in scanner in MIUI (without installing applications)

If your Xiaomi Redmi has MIUI 12 or later installed, you can find the document scanning feature in the standard Camera app, which does not require downloading additional software and is suitable for quickly creating scans of checks, receipts or book pages.

To activate the scan mode:

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. Fly through the shooting modes left to Documents (some models call it Scanner).
  3. Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries of the sheet with a yellow frame.
  4. Press the shutter button. The app will take a picture and suggest that you cut the edges.
  5. After cropping, click Save – the file will be available in the gallery in the Scans folder.

The built-in MIUI scanner supports JPG and PDF saving, as well as basic perspective correction. However, it has limitations: there is no OCR (text recognition) function, and color rendering quality depends on lighting. For important documents (passports, contracts), it is better to use specialized applications.

Make sure the document is on a flat surface.|

Turn off HDR mode in camera settings|

Use natural light (avoid glare)|

Make sure that no foreign objects are included in the frame.-->

Method 2: Xiaomi’s Scanner app (pre-installed on new models)

Starting with the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi K50, Xiaomi preinstalled a separate Scanner app (an icon with a blue document icon) that offers more features than in-camera mode:

  • 📄 Multi-page PDF — You can scan several sheets into one file.
  • 🔍 Smart cropping – automatic allocation of the boundaries of the document even with a slight tilt.
  • 🎨 Color modes: black and white, gray, color.
  • 🔒 Export to the cloud – integration with Mi Cloud and Google Drive.

How to use:

  1. Open the Scanner app (if not, download from the Mi App Store).
  2. Place the document in the frame. The app will automatically take a picture of it when you find the boundaries (or manually press the button).
  3. At the preview stage, it is possible to:

Save.

PDF

Image:

Important: Xiaomi’s Scanner app saves a PDF with a default resolution of 300 dpi — enough to print or send to government agencies. However, for archival documents (such as diplomas), it’s better to manually increase the resolution in the app’s settings.

How to increase the resolution of the scan in the application "Scanner"
Go to Settings → Image Quality and select High (600 dpi). note that the files will weigh more (up to 5-10 MB per page).

Method 3: Google Drive – Scanning with Automatic OCR

If you need to not only scan a document, but also recognize the text for further editing, use Google Drive. The crawl feature is built into the application and supports OCR in 100+ languages, including Russian. This is convenient for creating searchable PDF or copying text from paper documents.

Instructions:

  1. Open Google Drive and click + → Scan.
  2. Take a picture of the document (the app will tell you when the frame will be even).
  3. Cut the edges, add more pages if necessary.
  4. Click Save – the file will automatically upload to your cloud in PDF format.

Important: Check the application permissions before installing. Some scanners (like CamScanner) request access to contacts and location — this is not necessary for the job, so you can refuse these permissions.

💡

OCR applications (such as Adobe Scan) store a text layer on top of an image, which allows you to copy text from a PDF, but increases the file size by 20-30% compared to a regular scan.

Method 5: Screenshot + editing (emergency version)

If you need to scan a document urgently and you don't have specialized tools at hand, you can use a screenshot + edit combination, which is suitable for small documents (business cards, checks), but not for multi-sheet files.

Step-by-step:

  1. Take a picture of the document through a standard camera (Photo mode, not Documents).
  2. Open the picture in the gallery and click Edit.
  3. Use the tools:

SmallPDF

Warnings:

⚠️ Note: When you crop a screenshot manually, it is easy to break the proportions of the document. Use the grid (included in the gallery settings) for accurate framing.

⚠️ Note: Online image converters in PDF They can save your files on their servers. For sensitive documents, use offline applications (for example, for sensitive documents, PDF Converter from Mi App Store).

Scan quality settings: how to avoid blurring and glare

The quality of the scan depends not only on the application, but also on the conditions of the shooting, and here are the key parameters that you should pay attention to:

Lighting:

  • 💡 Ideal: natural light from the window (but not direct sunlight).
  • 🔦 Alternative: Two artificial light sources from different sides (e.g. desk lamps).
  • 🚫 Avoid: Shooting under one bright source (shadows will distort the text).

Permission and format:

  • 📱 Enough for the screen. 150-200 dpi (file size) ~1-2 MB).
  • 🖨️ You need to print. 300 dpi and higher (size) ~5-10 MB).
  • 🔍 For OCR 300 dpi in black and white mode.

Perspective and focus:

  • 📏 Keep the camera strictly perpendicular to the document (use a grid in the viewfinder).
  • 🔍 Click on the screen to focus on the text (not the background).
  • 📱 On Redmi models with a wide-angle camera (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) Avoid using an ultra-wide lens – it distorts the edges of the document.

Critical error: Scans of passports or driver's licenses with lamination glare are not accepted by government services. Use a polarization filter (you can buy on AliExpress for a free ride). 200-300 ₽) or take an angle photograph 30-45 degree.

Saving and sending scans: formats, clouds, mail

Once the document is scanned, it needs to be saved correctly and transmitted to the recipient.

File formats:

  • 📄 PDF — Universal document format (supports multi-sheet files).
  • 🖼️ JPG/PNG — Suitable for single-page scans (e.g. checks).
  • 📑 DOCX — If you need editable text (available in FineScanner or Adobe Scan).

Cloud storage:

  • ☁️ Mi Cloud – Integrated with MIUI, 5GB free of charge.
  • 🌐 Google Drive is easy to collaborate with (15GB free).
  • 📁 Yandex Disk – fast download in Russia, 10 GB free.

3. Sending by mail or messengers:

  • ✉️ Email: Attach it. PDF letter (limited size usually 25 MB).
  • 📱 Telegram: send as a file (without compression) or as a photo (with compression).
  • 💼 WhatsApp: compresses files up to 16MB, use Google Drive for large documents.

Advice for Xiaomi Redmi:

⚠️ Note: When sending scans through a Explorer MIUI (Send Menu files larger than 50MB are automatically uploaded to Mi Cloud with a temporary link generation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scanning on Xiaomi Redmi

Can I scan documents on older Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 5 or 6)?
Yes, but the functionality is limited. There is no built-in scanner on MIUI 10-11, so use: Standard camera + hand-trimmed gallery. Third-party apps (CamScanner, Microsoft Lens). On these models, it is important to keep a close eye on focus - autofocus is slower than on new smartphones.
Why is the scan blurry even though the camera on the phone is good?
Causes of blurring: 📱 Trembling hands – use a delay timer (2-3 seconds) or tripod. 🔍 Wrong focus – touch the screen in the text area before shooting. 🌫️ Dirty lens – wipe the camera with a soft cloth. 📏 Too close to the distance, back to the 20-30 If the problem persists, try to turn off mode. HDR camera-setting.
How to scan a book so that the text does not get distorted on the fold?
To scan books: Put the book on a flat surface and press the fold with a glass plate (or heavy book). Use Documents in the camera mode or the Microsoft Lens app, which automatically corrects the curvatures. If the text on the fold is blurred, take a picture of the left and right pages separately, then combine it into PDF. For old books with fragile pages, avoid bright lighting - it can fade the ink.
Can I scan documents in the dark (for example, at night)?
Yeah, but it'll need more lighting: 🔦 Use the smartphone flashlight (turns on swipe down in the notification panel). 💡 Direct the light at an angle. 45 degrees to avoid glare. 📱 Increase the value ISO in the manual settings of the camera (maximum) 800-1600 You can't scan in the dark, because the camera can't focus.
How to make a scan of a passport that will be accepted on public services?
Requirements of public services to scans: 📄 Format: PDF or JPG (size 10 MB). 🔍 Permission: not less 300 dpi. 📏 The document should be at least as long as 80% frame. 🚫 Prohibited: highlights, shadows, foreign objects in the frame. Recommendations: Use the Xiaomi Scanner app in H mode/B. Check the scan on the document check site before sending.