Scanning documents on Xiaomi smartphones: from standard tools to professional applications

Scanning documents with a Xiaomi smartphone has become an integral part of everyday tasks, from registration of certificates to archiving important papers. Unlike specialized scanners, the phone is always at hand, and modern image processing algorithms are used to process documents. MIUI However, not all users know that the scanning features are hidden not only in the standard Camera application, but also in little-known system tools, as well as in Xiaomi's branded services.

In this article, we’ll break down 5 working ways to scan documents on Xiaomi phones (including Redmi models, POCO and Mi on MIUI 12-15), compare them in terms of quality, speed and ease of export, and pay special attention to hidden camera settings that allow you to disable automatic perspective correction for documents with non-standard formats (for example, passports or diplomas). You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes, from blurred edges to incorrect color reproduction when scanning color documents.

1. Standard mode "Documents" in the Camera appendix

The most obvious, but far from the most effective way is to use the built-in Documents mode in a standard Xiaomi camera. MIUI 12 and newer, including Redmi budget models 9A Xiaomi 13 Ultra flagships, the main advantage is the lack of need to install third-party applications.

To activate the mode:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Fly through the shooting modes to the left to the Documents item (on some models it is hidden under the Still button).
3. Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries with a green frame.
4. Press the shutter button. The finished scan will be saved in the gallery in format. JPG.

However, this method has significant limitations:

• 🔴 Low resolution – scans are saved in compressed format (maximum) 2000×1500 px), which is critical for small text.
• 🔴 No exports to PDF — You will need to use third-party converters.
• 🔴 Automatic pruning often cuts off important elements (seals, signatures).

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO F3 Redmi Note 11 Documents mode may not be on the main camera menu. → Additional modes and activate the Scan Documents option.

2. Hidden opportunities MIUI: tool "Scanner" in the app Notes

Few people know, but in the proprietary app Notes (preinstalled on all Xiaomi) hidden full-fledged scanner documents with support OCR (text recognition) and export to PDF. This method is suitable for scanning multi-page documents, as it allows you to combine several scans into one file.

Instructions for use:

1. Open the Notes app (yellow notebook icon).
2. Create a new note and click on the Camera icon in the bottom menu.
3. Select Scanner mode (on some firmware it is called Scan Document).
4. Point the camera at the document. The system automatically recognizes the boundaries and takes a picture.
5. After scanning all pages, click Ready. → Save how PDF.

Advantages of this method:

• 📄 Exports to PDF with adjustable quality (up to 300 dpi).
• 🔍 OCR-10th recognition+ languages, including Russian).
• 📁 Automatic sorting by date and type of document.

💡

If the scan is blurry, try turning on Night Mode in the camera settings before the scan, which will increase exposure and improve the clarity of fine text.

3. Professional scanning with Mi DocViewer

For users who need to scan documents regularly (for example, for work or study), Xiaomi offers a separate application - Mi DocViewer. It is pre-installed on all models, but it is free to download from GetApps (the Xiaomi store).

Mi DocViewer stands out among its analogues thanks to:

• 📊 Manual contrast setting – slider allows you to adjust the brightness for documents with faded text.
• 🔄 Automatic alignment even for crumpled or curved pages.
• 🔒 Password protection for confidential PDF-file.

How to scan a document in Mi DocViewer:

1. Open the app and click on the icon + lower-right.
2. Select Scan Document.
3. Point the camera at the sheet. The app will automatically take a picture when you recognize the boundaries.
4. Edit the scan: trim the edges, adjust the color profile (C/B, Color, Shades of Grey).
5. Save it in. PDF or JPG with a choice of resolution (up to 300 dpi).

⚠️ Attention: On models POCO X3 Pro and Redmi 10 with custom firmware Mi DocViewer may not recognize Russian documents when OCR. To fix this, go to the app settings and download the language package for Russian.

Clean the camera of dust and prints|Place the document on a flat surface with good lighting|Turn off mode. HDR camera-setting|Activate the grid (lines) 3×3) framingly-->

4 Third-Party Apps: CamScanner vs Adobe Scan

If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t meet your requirements, look for third-party apps.The two most popular options, CamScanner and Adobe Scan, offer advanced features but have their own nuances on devices with a wide range of features. MIUI.

Comparison of CamScanner and Adobe Scan on Xiaomi:

Features of use on Xiaomi:

• 📱 CamScanner may be in conflict with the MIUI Optimization – if the application spontaneously closes, add it to the list of Secure applications (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start).
• 📄 Adobe Scan is better at color documents (such as diplomas with holograms), but requires registration.

5. Google Drive Scanning: Why It’s Handy

If you need to not only scan a document but also upload it to the cloud, Google Drive offers a built-in scanner with a minimalist interface, ideal for Xiaomi owners who are actively using Google services.

How to scan a document through Google Drive:

1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Press. + → Scan.
3. Point the camera at the document. Google automatically recognizes the boundaries and takes a picture.
4. If necessary, edit the scan: cut the edges, select a filter (Color, C/B, etc.).
5. Save the file to the selected folder on Drive.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Automatic synchronization with all devices.
• 🔍 Built-in search by text (after) OCR).
• 📱 Low battery consumption compared to other scanners.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14 and later Google Drive may request permission to access All Files instead of Media Only.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy - refuse permission if you scan sensitive documents.

💡

Google Drive is the best choice for scanning documents that need to be sent by mail or shared immediately, but for professional processing (for example, perspective correction), it is better to use Mi DocViewer or CamScanner.

6 Advanced Settings: How to Improve Scan Quality

Even with the best apps, scans can be blurred or color distorted, and to avoid this, use the following tips:

Optimizing camera settings before scanning:

• 📸 Turn it off. HDR — This mode can create artifacts on the text. → HDR → Off.
• 🔦 Use a flashlight in low light but avoid glare.On Xiaomi, the flashlight is swiped down the lock screen or through the Notification Panel.
• 📏 Activate the grid for precise framing: Camera settings → Grid. → 3×3.

Post-processing scans:

• 🎨 Increased contrast in Snapseed or Lightroom will help to make the text clearer.
• 🔄 Perspective fix in Adobe Scan or Office Lens (if the document was photographed at an angle).
• 📄 Conversion to PDF/A For long-term storage (via Mi DocViewer or online services).

Common mistakes and their solutions:

7. Comparison of methods: which way to choose

The best scanning method depends on your tasks, and below is a quick comparison table:

For most Xiaomi users, the best solution would be a combination of Mi DocViewer (for quality) and Google Drive (for quick sharing).If you need to scan documents daily (for work, for example), it’s worth considering CamScanner with a paid subscription — it offers cloud storage and advanced editing tools.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions