How to scan documents from Xiaomi phone: from standard tools to professional scanners

Scanning documents with Xiaomi’s smartphone has become an integral part of everyday life, whether it’s processing inquiries, sending passport copies or archiving important papers. Unlike bulky MFPs, modern Android devices allow you to get digital copies in seconds, and with a quality that is not inferior to professional scanners. But how to do this correctly when only the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 are at hand?

In this article, we will analyze all available methods - from built-in functions. MIUI We'll compare them to specialized applications, speed, quality and convenience, and we'll give you tips on how to avoid common errors. PDF Sometimes it gets blurred, how to fix page skewing and what to do if the document does not fit in the frame. Special attention will be paid to the hidden function "Document scanner" in the "Camera" application on new models Xiaomi (MIUI 14+), Which is not known to all users.

Method 1: Built-in scanner in the Camera app (MIUI 12 and later)

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added a document scanning mode to the standard Camera app, which automatically recognizes the edges of a sheet, adjusts the perspective, and saves the result in PDF or JPEG. This feature is available on most modern models, from the Redmi 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

To take advantage of it:

• 📱 Open the Camera app on your Xiaomi.
• 🔍 Flick the shooting modes left to Documents (or Doc Scanner on global firmware).
• 📄 Point the camera at the document – the frame will automatically circle its boundaries.
• 🖼️ Press the shutter button. Adjust the corners manually if necessary.
• 💾 Save the result to the gallery or export to the PDF.

The advantages of this method are that you don’t need to install third-party apps, and the quality of the scan is often superior to those from Google Play, but there are also disadvantages, such as the lack of OCR (text recognition) and limited export settings.

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If Documents mode is not available in your MIUI version, update the Camera app via Settings → About Phone → App Update. On some models (e.g. POCO M5), this mode may be hidden - try turning it on through Camera Settings → Additional → Show Documents mode

Method 2: Google Drive – Cloud-Saving Scanning

Google Drive offers a built-in document scanner that automatically uploads files to the cloud.This is handy if you need to share a scan quickly or save it to Google Drive for further work.The feature is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with the Drive app installed.

Instructions:

1. Open Google Drive and click the + button.
2. Select Scan.
3. Point the camera at the document. Drive will automatically take a picture when it detects text.
4. Edit the scan: trim the edges, apply a filter (e.g., Black and White for better readability).
5. Save the file in PDF or JPEG format.

The advantages of the method: integration with other Google services (for example, Docs for text recognition), automatic backup and the ability to share. Cons: the quality of the scan is inferior to specialized applications, and it requires an Internet connection to work.

Method 3: Third-party applications – CamScanner, Adobe Scan, and others

If embedded tools don't work well, you should look at specialized applications, and the leaders are:

• 📑 CamScanner - Supports OCR 60+ Languages, automatic pruning and quality improvement.
• 📄 Adobe Scan – Adobe Acrobat integration, cloud storage and editing PDF.
• 🖼️ Microsoft Lens – optimized for Office 365, recognizes tables and diagrams.
• 🔍 FineScanner – Professional Color Settings, Export to DOCX/TXT.

Let’s look at the CamScanner example:

1. Download the app from Google Play and sign up (the free version has a watermark).
2. Press + and select Scan.
3. Take a picture of the document. The app will automatically improve contrast and straighten perspective.
4. If necessary, apply filters (C/B, Color, Grey).
5. Save the file to PDF or export to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).

Third-party scanners offer advanced features such as:

• 🔎 OCR (text recognition) with editing capability.
• 📊 Package processing of several pages.
• 🔒 Protection PDF password.
• 🖨️ Direct Printing on a Printer over Wi-Fi.

Method 4: Scanning through the Files Application (MIUI)

Little-known fact: the standard file application on Xiaomi has a built-in document scanner, which is less functional than specialized solutions, but can help in situations where you need to quickly scan one or two pages.

How to use it:

1. Open the Files app (the folder icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Scan tab (may be called Documents depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Point the camera at the document and take a picture.
4. Edit the boundaries and apply the filter (if required).
5. Save the file in PDF or JPEG format to the selected folder.

Features of this method:

• ✅ No need to install additional applications.
• ✅ Quickly save to local memory of the phone.
• ❌ Absent. OCR and cloud synchronization.
• ❌ Scanner quality is inferior to CamScanner or Google Drive.

Comparison of scanning methods: what to choose?

To determine the optimal method, compare the key parameters:

The choice depends on your tasks:

• 📱 For a quick scan. 1-2 pages fit built-in camera or application "Files".
• ☁️ If you need cloud backup and shared access, use Google Drive.
• 🔍 For professional tasks (OCR, multipage PDF, Password protection – CamScanner or Adobe Scan.

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On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the built-in camera scanner uses AI to improve text – this gives a quality comparable to CamScanner, but without watermarks.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with modern technology, users often face scanning problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Warning: If the scan is blurry, check the distance to the document — 20-30 See too close or far position of the camera leads to loss of clarity.

Problem 1: Shadow on the document.

• 💡 Solution: Use point-to-point lighting (such as a desk lamp and window light) or turn on Flash in manual mode.
• 📱 On Xiaomi MIUI 14 Documents automatically activates lighting optimization – check if Autoexposure is activated.

Problem 2: Curved scan (distorted perspective).

• 📐 Solution: Most applications (including the built-in scanner) have Auto-Alignment. If it doesn't work, cut corners manually.
• 📏 For the ideal result, put the document on a flat surface and hold the phone parallel to the sheet.

Problem 3: Large file size.

• 📉 Solution: In the export settings, select Compression or Format PDF instead JPEG. You can ask CamScanner. DPI (permission - sufficient for text 150-200 DPI.
• ☁️ If you only need a scan to view, use cloud services (like Google Drive) that automatically optimize the size.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a wide-angle camera (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) When scanning, you may experience a barrel effect (curvature at the edges). To avoid this, use the main camera (no Wide Angle mode").

Additional Tips for the Perfect Scan

To get a professional result, use these recommendations:

• 📱 Use Manual Camera Mode: In the Camera app on Xiaomi, switch to Pro Mode (M), install ISO on 100-200 and endurance 1/125 clear-cut.
• 🔦 Turn it off. HDR: This feature can create artifacts on text. In camera settings, deactivate. HDR or AI-improvement.
• 📄 For multi-page documents: In CamScanner or Adobe Scan, enable Package Scanning mode – this will save time.
• 🔒 Protecting confidential data: If you scan a passport or contract, save the file to the PDF Password-based (available from CamScanner Premium).

If you need to scan a book or magazine, use the Perspective Curve mode in Microsoft Lens — it is specifically optimized for working with curved pages. For Xiaomi with a flexible display (such as the Mix Fold 3), you can use the deployed camera mode to capture the entire spread.

FAQ: Frequent questions about scanning on Xiaomi