Scanning documents via a smartphone has long replaced bulky scanners, but not all users of Xiaomi, Redmi or other devices. POCO They know how to get results that are indistinguishable from professional equipment, and the problem is that the standard Camera app is not always optimized for taking paper, and it gets glare, it gets distorted around the edges, and it gets distorted. PDF-In this article, we'll look at 5 working ways -- from built-in functions. MIUI up to specialized apps that will turn your Xiaomi into a portable scanner with automatic text recognition (OCR).
The feature of Xiaomi phones is the presence of a proprietary mode Document in the Camera app, but it does not work on all models and is often hidden in the depths of the menu. 12 or POCO X5, And we'll also uncover a secret trick with manually adjusting white balance that removes yellowness from old documents.-3 Free scanning applications that support export to PDF/A (archival format for government agencies).
1. Built-in Document Mode in Xiaomi Camera: Where to Look and How to Set Up
Starting with MIUI 12, the Camera app has a dedicated mode for shooting documents, but its location depends on the phone model. On flagships (Xiaomi 13T, Xiaomi 14) it is displayed on the main camera screen, and on budget devices (Redmi A2, POCO M6 Pro) it is hidden in the menu More (three dots or swipe to the left).
To activate the mode:
- 📱 Open the Camera app and swipe left to the Still section (or click three dots).
- 🔍 Find the Document item (some firmware called Scanner or Pro-Mode).
- 🎯 Point the camera at the document, and the system automatically highlights the boundaries of the sheet with a blue frame. If the frame flashes red, increase the light.
- 📸 Press the down button. The finished image is saved in the folder. DCIM → Scans.
Important detail: Document mode has a flash turned off by default, but in low light it can be manually enabled. To do this, tap the zipper icon in the top menu and select On or Auto. Color profile setting is also available here - for black and white documents (passports, contracts), choose Monochrome to reduce the file size.
2. Manual camera settings for the perfect scan (if there is no Document mode)
If your Xiaomi model does not support Document mode (relevant for devices on MIUI 11 and older), you can use the standard Pro-mode (or Manual).
| Parameter | Recommended value | Why do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| White balance | Daylight or filament lamps | Remove yellow from documents scanned under artificial light |
| Exposition | -0.3…-0.7 EV | Prevents the re-light of the text on glossy paper |
| Focus | Manual (value 5-10) | Avoids blurring of small text (for example, in contracts) |
| Format | JPEG (quality 90–100%) | Optimal balance between file weight and clarity |
The secret trick is, if a document is bent or has wavy edges (like a diploma in the cover), put it under a glass surface (a table with a transparent countertop) and remove it from the top. This will remove the shadows from the excesses. For best results, use a 3-sec timer to avoid shaking your hands.
Make sure the document is on a flat surface.|
Turn off night mode in camera settings |
Wipe the camera lens with a napkin |
Use an additional light source (not direct solar)-->
3. Top.-3 Scanning apps on Xiaomi: comparison and instructions
The built-in MIUI tools are suitable for one-off scans, but if you need to process dozens of pages, convert to a searchable PDF or recognize text (OCR), it's better to use specialized applications. We tested 10 programs and selected the best ones:
- 🥇 Adobe Scan is ideal for multi-page documents with automatic cropping and export to the Internet PDF/A. Supports Adobe Document Cloud Storage (10 GB free. minus: requires registration for some features.
- 🥈 CamScanner – leading in quality OCR (reads 200+ There's a smart enhancement feature that removes the shadows from your fingers.
- 🥉 Microsoft Lens is the best choice for integration with Office 365. Automatically aligns perspective and saves scans in OneDrive. Plus: there is no limit on the number of scans.
How to scan in Adobe Scan:
- Download the app from Google Play and allow access to the camera.
- Point the camera at the document, the app will automatically find the boundaries. To manually adjust the frame, pull the corners.
- Press the capture button. To add more pages, select + Add.
- Click Save and select the format: PDF (for printing) or JPEG (for mailing).
How to remove watermark in CamScanner without a paid subscription
4.Scan Optimization: How to Reduce PDF Weight Without Losing Quality
PDF scans often weigh 5-10MB, which is inconvenient for posting or uploading to government services.
- 📱 In applications (Adobe Scan, CamScanner) before saving, select the option to compress PDF Or optimize for the web.
- 🖥️ On your computer, use the SmallPDF service - it compresses files without any visible loss of quality.
- 📲 Put it on the phone. PDF Compressor (available on Google Play) and select the compression level.
Critical: when compressing, check if the text is blurred. For official documents (passports, diplomas), use the High Quality setting, even if the file will weigh more. For example, a passport scan for a visa must have a resolution of at least 300 DPI.
💡
If you want to send a scan by mail, but the file is too large, convert it to PDF/A-1b format – it is supported by all government agencies and weighs 20-30% less than a standard PDF.
5. Text Recognition (OCR) on Xiaomi: How to Make Scan Editable
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) allows you to convert scanned text to editable format (DOCX, TXT).
- Google Drive: upload the scan to Google Drive, open the file, click Open with → Google Docs. Text will be automatically recognized.
- Adobe Scan: After scanning, click Text in the bottom menu – the application recognizes text and allows you to export it to Word.
- MIUI Tools: Some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3) have OCR built-in in the gallery – highlight the text on the scan and choose Copy.
⚠️ Attention: OCR It doesn't recognize prints, signatures, or text on a colored background, and if you have a blue or red stamp, pre-convert it to black and white in any graphics editor.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even with the right settings, scans can be poor, and here are the typical problems and solutions.
- 🌓 Shadows on edges: remove the document at right angles (use the level in the Compass app on Xiaomi) or turn on the built-in Lamp (available on models with a full-length light). AMOLED-screen).
- 🔍 Blurred text: check if the camera lens is dirty. wipe it with a microfiber wipe. If the problem persists, use manual focus (Pro mode).
- 📄 Perspective distortion: In CamScanner or Adobe Scan apps, click Adjust and manually align the angles after shooting.
⚠️ Warning: When scanning plastic cards (passport, license, bank cards), turn off Autofocus, which can be triggered by reflecting light, making the card number unreadable. Use Macro mode (flower in the camera menu) for shooting at close range.
7. Alternative methods: scanning without installing applications
If you need to scan the document urgently and there is no possibility to install additional programs, use:
- 🌐 Google Photos: Take a photo of the document, open it in the app and select Edit → Pruning → The system will automatically straighten perspective.
- 📧 Telegram: in chat with a bot @ScanBot Send a photo of the document - it will return the processed PDF (free-of-charge 10 month-page).
- 🖨️ MFP-Xiaomi Printer: If you have Xiaomi Mi Laser Printer, use the Scanner feature → Cloud for direct sending to phone.
Bonus for owners of Xiaomi Pad 6: in the Pad line of tablets there is a Multi-window mode, which allows you to simultaneously open the scan in Adobe Scan and edit it in WPS Office without switching between applications.
💡
For maximum quality, use the combination: shooting in Pro mode (with manual settings) + processing in Adobe Scan + compression via SmallPDF. This approach gives a result indistinguishable from a professional scanner.