Scanning from Xiaomi phone: when it is needed and what features the smartphone gives
Xiaomi's modern smartphones are not just phone and social media devices, but full-fledged scanners in your pocket, and you can digitize documents to send to the bank, save them. QR-You can use ticket codes or menus, you can make electronic copies of books and notes, all without any additional equipment, but how do you use this function to get a quality result?
In this article, we will look at all the scanning options available on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from built-in tools to customized apps, learn how to improve scan clarity, what settings affect the result, and why it is sometimes better to use Google Drive or Mi Scanner instead of a camera, and how to bypass the passport scanning restrictions in some apps without risking security.
1. Built-in document scanner in MIUI: where to find and how to use
Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has developed its own scanning tool, the Document Scanner, which is integrated into the Camera app and does not require any additional software.
- Open the standard Camera app.
- Fly through the shooting modes to the left to the item Documents (icon with a sheet of paper).
- Point the camera at the document – the system will automatically highlight the boundaries.
- Press the down button to take a picture.
After the scan, you can:
- 🔍 Cut the edges of the document manually (if automatic recognition worked inaccurately).
- 🎨 Apply filters: Black and white, color or improved text (increases contrast).
- 📤 Save it in format PDF or JPEG, and send it directly through messengers.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) have Documents hidden by default. To activate it, go to Camera Settings → Additional modes and enable the option.
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If the scan is blurry, try to turn on macro mode (flower icon) – this will help when shooting small texts or barcodes.
Scanning QR-Codes: Standard and Alternative Methods
QR-Codes have become an integral part of everyday life, from payment in stores to authorization in Wi-Fi. On Xiaomi phones, they can be read in several ways:
Method 1: Through the Camera app
Just point the camera at QR-code - if the function is active, a notification will appear telling you to click on the link to enable automatic recognition:
- Open Settings → System and device → Additional settings.
- Activate the Scan option QR-camera-code.
Method 2: Google Lens (for complex codes)
If the standard scanner does not recognize the code (for example, from the screen of another device), use Google Lens:
- Hold your finger on it. QR-code in Google Photos or Camera.
- Select Search with Lens.
⚠️ Attention: Some QR-codes (for example, for payments) may contain malicious links. URL before the transition MIUI It appears at the bottom of the screen when scanning.
| Method of scanning | Speed. | precision | Additional functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera (MIUI) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Auto-crossing by link |
| Google Lens | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Text recognition |
| Third-party applications (QR Scanner) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Scan history, editing |
3. Applications for professional scanning: top-5 Xiaomi
Built-in tools MIUI They are suitable for basic tasks, but if you need to scan multi-page documents, work with them. OCR-If you're looking at a text recognition solution or a resolution setting, you should look at third-party apps. Here are the best options for Xiaomi:
- 📱 CamScanner is a market leader with cloud storage and editing PDF. The free version leaves watermarks.
- 🔍 Adobe Scan – Integration with Adobe Acrobat, Automatic Quality Improvement.
- 📄 Microsoft Lens – optimized for office documents, supports Word and PowerPoint exports.
- 🖼️ PhotoScan by Google – specializes in scanning photos without glare.
- 📊 Mi Scanner (from Xiaomi) – a lightweight application with a minimalist interface, but without OCR.
🔹 Tip: If you need to scan your passport or ID, use Google Drive (Scan Document feature in the menu "+"). It does not block the processing of personal data, unlike some third-party scanners.
Make sure the document is on a flat surface.|
Turn off the flash if the lighting is sufficient |
Make sure there are no shadows or glares in the frame |
Use Professional in the camera mode to manually adjust the exposure-->
4. How to improve scan quality: camera settings and post-processing
Even with a good application, the scan can be blurred or dark. To avoid this, follow the recommendations:
Camera settings before shooting
- 📸 Set 12 MP resolution (in Camera Settings) → Photo permission).
- 💡 Turn it off. HDR — It can distort the text.
- 🔄 Enable the Grid (rule of thirds) to position the document smoothly.
Post-processing in annexes
After scanning, improve the result by:
- 🎨 Perspective correction (in CamScanner or Adobe Scan).
- ⚪ Increased contrast (in Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed).
- 🔍 OCR-Recognition for text editing (in Microsoft Lens).
⚠️ Note: When scanning color documents (such as diplomas), save the file in format JPEG 300-plus-permit DPI. For black and white texts, 150 are enough. DPI into PDF.
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To scan books or thick documents, use the Panorama mode in the camera - this will help to avoid distortions from the "propeller effect".
5. Scan without the Internet: offline modes and save to the device
You don't always have a stable Internet at hand, but you need to scan documents here and now. Fortunately, most applications for Xiaomi support offline work:
- 📱 Mi Scanner and Google Drive save scans locally to folder Downloads/Scans.
- 📂 CamScanner allows you to create an offline account (without being linked to the cloud).
- 🔄 Adobe Scan caches the last 50 scans to access without a network.
To find the saved files:
- Open the Files app (folder icon).
- Go to Categories → Documents or Downloads.
- Scans usually have a prefix. Scan_ or Doc_ titled.
🔹 If you need to send a scan immediately, but there is no Internet, create a local Wi-Fi network between two Xiaomi phones via Settings → Access Point and modem → Wi-Fi access point and move the file to Mi Share.
6 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes have problems with scanning, and here are the typical errors and their solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Scan turns out curved | Uneven surface or angle of photography | Use a stack of books as a phone stand |
| Text unreadable | Weak lighting or glare | Scan in daylight or with two light sources |
| The app doesn't recognize the QR | Low resolution code or dirt on it | Wipe the code and zoom the camera 15-20 cm |
| PDFs weigh too much | High resolution or color mode | Compress the file via PDF Compressor or save it to Ch/B |
⚠️ Note: If you are scanning two-way documents (such as contracts), remember to manually number pages or use apps with Auto Numbering (such as CamScanner Pro.
What if the scanner does not see the document?
7.Scanning safety: what can and cannot be done
Scanning documents via a smartphone is convenient, but not always safe.
- 🔒 Don’t scan your passports and bank cards on public Wi-Fi networks – use mobile internet.
- 📱 Remove scans of personal documents from cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) after use.
- 🛡️ Check application permissions: the scanner should not request access to contacts or SMS.
🔹 Important: B MIUI 14+ The function of the Protected folder (in Settings) → Privacy: You can put scans of documents in there so that they don't show up in the gallery or get into the cloud.
If you need to send a scan of a document (for example, a driver's license), pre-blurred the extra data in any graphics editor, even the standard Markers app in Google Photos will do.