How to scan documents on Xiaomi phone: from camera to camera PDF 30 seconds in a row

Why Xiaomi Scanning is Better Than a Normal Scanner

The document scanner in 2026 is not a sizeable device on your desktop, but a smartphone in your pocket. - Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO With their advanced cameras (even in budget models), they can create scans of 300-600 dpi quality, which is enough to submit documents to the bank, to work or to government agencies:

✅ Instant result. You don't have to wait for the document to go through the scanner tray -- just one frame. ✅ Automatic processing. Modern algorithms. MIUI Correct perspective, remove shadows and increase contrast of the text. ✅ Universality. Scan not just papers, but lecture boards, checks, business cards, or book pages.

However, not everyone knows that Xiaomi phones have a built-in scanning tool – it does not need to be downloaded separately.It is hidden in the standard Camera app and works even on models from 2019-2020 (for example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi Pro). 9T). And if the built-in tool quality is not enough, you can always install specialized applications like CamScanner or Adobe Scan.

Next, we will analyze all the ways - from the simplest to professional, with a comparison of results and tips for setting up.

Method 1: Built-in mode "Document" in the Camera application

The fastest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones MIUI 12 and later (including HyperOS) The algorithm automatically aligns the edges of the document, removes the background, and saves the file in format. PDF or JPEG.

How to turn on:

Open the standard Camera app.
Fly through the shooting modes left to the Document item (the icon with a piece of paper).
Point the camera at the document – the frame will automatically circle its boundaries.
Press the shutter button. The system will suggest cutting the edges manually (if necessary).
Press Ready. → Select the save format (PDF or Image).

Where do I find the scanned file? It's saved in a folder. DCIM → Scanned Documents (or Documents in the Gallery).

The document lies on a flat surface without folds

Lighting uniform, no glare

The camera is parallel to the sheet (not at an angle)

Background contrast (better dark under a light document)-->

⚠️ Note: If Document mode is not in the camera menu, update the Camera app via Google Play or check for updates MIUI In Settings → The phone. → System update: Older models (until 2018) may not support this mode.

Advantages of the method:

🔹 No Internet connection – everything is processed on the device.
🔹 Quickly – the scan is ready in 5-10 seconds.
🔹 Secure – files are not sent to Xiaomi servers.

Disadvantages:

🔸 Quality is worse than that of specialized applications (can “sit” on documents with small text).
🔸 No function. OCR (text-recognition).

PDF (mail-out)

JPEG/PNG (messenger-only)

Both options depending on the task

I don't know which one to choose.-->

Method 2: Xiaomi’s “Scanner” app (Mi Scanner)

If the built-in camera mode isn’t enough, try the official Mi Scanner app (formerly called the Document Scanner) that’s pre-installed on many models (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), but can be downloaded from Google Play or AppGallery if needed.

The Mi Scanner features:

📄 Multi-page PDF — scan multiple sheets into one file.
🔍 OCR-recognition (by 10)+ languages, including Russian).
🖼️ Filters: black and white mode, increase contrast, remove shadows.
📤 Export to the cloud (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) or instant messengers.

Step-by-step:

Open Mi Scanner (an icon with a blue square and a white sheet).
Allow access to the camera and storage.
Point the camera at the document – the application will automatically find the edges.
Press the capture button. You can manually edit the boundaries if you need to.
Choose a filter (e.g., black and white for better readability).
Click Save and select the format (PDF or Image).

Where to download if there is no app? Go to Mi Scanner on Google Play.

How to turn it on OCR Mi Scanner?

To recognize text on the scan: 1. After capturing the image, click on the T icon (text) at the bottom of the screen. 2. Select the area with the text (or select All). 3. Click Recognise - the text is copied to the clipboard or saved as a separate.txt file: OCR It works offline, but you need the internet to download language packs.

Parameter	Built-in "Document" mode	Mi Scanner appendix
Multi-page PDF	❌ No.	✅ Yes.
OCR (Text Recognition)	❌ No.	✅ Yes (10.+ language)
Manual contrast setting	❌ No.	✅ Yes.
Exports to the cloud	❌ Only local preservation	✅ Mi Cloud, Google Drive
Support for old models	✅ MIUI 12+	❌ Android 9 is required+

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may not have Mi Scanner due to regional restrictions, in which case use alternatives from the following section.

Method 3: Third-party applications for professional scanning

If you want the best quality (for example, for archive or printing), standard Xiaomi tools may not work, in which case specialized applications will help.

1. CamScanner (free version with watermarks, paid - without restrictions)

🌟 Best scan quality among analogues (processing algorithms outperform Mi Scanner).
📁 Cloud storage for 2 GB in the free version.
🔒 Password protection for confidential documents.

Cons: Watermarks on free scans, advertising.

2. Adobe Scan (free, from the creators of Photoshop)

🖼️ AI Processing: Automatically removes shadows and aligns perspective.
📱 Integration with Adobe Acrobat for editing PDF.
🌍 OCR 100+ language.

Cons: Requires registration to synchronize between devices.

3. Microsoft Lens (free, from Microsoft)

📊 Ideal for tables and boards – recognizes structured data better than others.
🖥️ Exports to Word/Excel (if you scan the tables).
🔄 Synchronization with OneDrive.

Cons: Fewer hand-crafted settings than competitors.

If you need one document here and now, you can use Mi Scanner, and for regular use (students, accountants) you can use CamScanner or Adobe Scan.

Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun

Method 4: Scanning through Google Drive (without installing apps)

Few people know, but Google Drive can scan documents directly from a mobile app, which is a good method if you don’t want to download additional programs or need to quickly save the scan to the cloud.

Instructions:

Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
Press. + (file-creation icon) → Scan.
Point the camera at the document and take a picture.
Cut the edges (if necessary) and press Ready.
Choose the format (PDF or JPEG) and folder.

Advantages:

🔗 Instant access from any device (scan syncs with Google account).
📱 There are no watermarks (unlike the free CamScanner versions).
🔍 Built-in text search (if included) OCR).

Disadvantages:

🔸 Quality is worse than that of specialized scanners (no manual contrast settings).
🔸 Internet is required to upload to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If a document contains sensitive information (passport, contract), do not save it to Google Drive without encryption.

💡

Google Drive is the only way to scan a document on Xiaomi without installing additional apps if the firmware does not have Document mode in the camera.

Method 5: Scanning through messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)

If you need to send a document urgently and you don’t have time to install apps, use built-in messaging tools, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, which can scan documents directly in the chat.

On Telegram:

Open any chat (you can send yourself to Save Messages).
Click on the paperclip (Attach the file) → Document → Scan.
Take a picture of the document and cut the edges.
Send to yourself – the file will be saved in format PDF.

On WhatsApp:

Open the chat and click on the paperclip.
Select the Document → Scan the document.
Take a photo and edit the boundaries.
Send it to yourself – the file will be in format PDF.

Pros of the method:

⚡ Instant Submission – No need to save the file separately.
📱 No watermarks.
🔄 Convenient for fast transfer (for example, passports to the bank).

Cons:

🔸 Quality is lower than that of specialized scanners (no correction of perspective).
🔸 WhatsApp scans are compressed, which worsens the readability of small text.

Tip: If you need a document in high resolution, scan it first through Mi Scanner or CamScanner, and then send it through the messenger.

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

Even the most advanced app can't save you if the original photo of the document is not done well. Follow these guidelines to get a scan that is indistinguishable from the original:

Lighting: Use natural light (window) or two lamps on different sides to avoid shadows. Don't take pictures in direct sunlight - they create glare.
Background: Put a document on a dark surface (like a table or a book) if the sheet itself is light. This will increase contrast.
Shooting angle: Keep the camera strictly parallel to the document. If the smartphone does not catch the edges automatically, turn on the grid in the camera settings (Camera settings) → Grid).
Resolution: In Manual Camera Mode (Pro), set a resolution of 12 MP or higher (if a document with small text).
Focus: Tap the screen in the text area so that the camera focuses on it, not the background.
Filters: In Mi Scanner or CamScanner, choose Black and White or High Contrast mode to make the text clearer.
Post-processing: If the scan is dull, increase the brightness and contrast in any graphics editor (for example, Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile).

Example of camera settings for the perfect scan (on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra model):

Mode: Pro


Permission: 12 MP (4:3)




ISO: 100–200




Excerpt: 1/100–1/200




White balance: Auto




Focus: Manual focus (on text)

💡

If you're scanning a book or a thick document, use Macro mode in the camera (the flower icon) to reduce distortion at the edges of the page.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even the most experienced users sometimes have problems with scanning, and let's take a look at the most common ones.

1. The scan was curved or distorted

Reason: The camera was at an angle to the document, or the surface was not flat.

Decision:

Use a book or table as a backup.
Turn on the grid in the camera settings for alignment.
In Mi Scanner or CamScanner, manually trim the edges.

2. text on the scan is unreadable (blurred or gray)

Reason: Poor lighting, dirty camera or low resolution.

Decision:

Wipe the camera lens with a goggle napkin.
Increase the contrast in the scanner settings.
Try Black and White mode.

3. file is too large (not sent by mail)

Reason: High resolution or format JPEG instead PDF.

Decision:

Squeeze. PDF Adobe Acrobat or SmallPDF.
Save it in format. PDF instead JPEG.
Reduce the resolution to 200 dpi (this is enough for most cases).

4.The scanner application crashes out or does not save files

Reason: Lack of memory or optimization conflict MIUI.

Decision:

Clear the app cache in Settings → Annexes → Scanner. → Warehouse.
Turn off background optimization for the scanner in the battery settings.
Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you scan your passport, driver's license, or other ID, never save it to cloud services (like Google Drive or Mi Cloud) without encryption. For additional security, archive PDF Password (can be done through a 7-Zip WinRAR).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I scan documents on older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1)?

Yes, but with reservations: On Redmi 4X There is no built-in Document mode in the camera, but you can use Google Drive or install CamScanner (requires Android 5.0)+). Quality will be worse due to a weak camera (usually 12-13 MP without good processing).For better results, take pictures in bright light and process the scan in Snapseed.

How to scan the document in PDF and send it straight to the post office?

Methods depending on the application: Mi Scanner: After saving the file, click Share → Select Gmail or another email client. CamScanner: Click on the scan → Exports → Send email.Google Drive: After scanning, click on three dots next to the file → Send. → Email. Tip: If you need to send multiple pages, first save them to one PDF (In CamScanner, this is done through the).

Why does the scan appear green or blue?

This is due to the wrong balance of white or color distortions of the camera. How to fix: In the manual camera mode (Pro), set the white balance on daylight. In the scanner application, select the filter Black and white or shades of gray. Process the scan in Lightroom Mobile: increase the temperature (if the image is blue) or reduce the shade (if green). If the problem persists, wipe the camera lens - sometimes color distortions are caused by dirt on the lens.

Can I scan documents on Xiaomi without the Internet?

Yes, all of these methods work offline, except for: Google Drive (you need the Internet to upload a scan to the cloud, but you can save it locally). OCR In some applications (for example, Adobe Scan requires a connection to download language packets). For fully offline work, use: Built-in Document Mode in the Camera. Mi Scanner (OCR It works offline after the first language download. CamScanner (in the paid version).

How to scan bilateral documents (such as passports)

To scan both sides: Scan the first side in any convenient way (e.g., via Mi Scanner). Turn the document over and scan the second side. In the scanner app, click Combine (or Add a page) and select both files. Save as one. PDF. CamScanner and Adobe Scan have a Package Scan feature that automatically combines multiple pages into a single document.