Setting up the scanner on Xiaomi Redmi 7: the full guide

Mobile devices have long since ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming universal office tools capable of performing the tasks of scanners and copiers. The owner of the Xiaomi Redmi 7 smartphone often faces the need to quickly translate a paper document into digital format, whether it is a passport, a contract or a training manual. The built-in capabilities of the MIUI system based on Android provide powerful tools for this without requiring the installation of third-party heavy software.

It’s important to understand that there’s no single “scanner” as a standalone device, but there are software packages that use the camera. On Redmi 7, both standard Google apps and proprietary Xiaomi utilities can do this function, depending on your goals: Do you need to save the picture or do you need a full picture? OCR-In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from simple to advanced.

Before you start scanning, you need to make sure that the camera of the device is working correctly, and the lens is clean of dust and fingerprints. The quality of the final file depends on the purity of the optics and the correct lighting. It is also worth checking the presence of a Google account, since many of the native functions are tied to the services of the search giant. Preparing the workplace and understanding the available options will save you time in the future.

Using Google Drive to Create PDF

The most affordable and reliable way to turn a phone into a scanner is to use the built-in Google Drive app, which doesn't require any additional software, because it's pre-installed on all certified Google-enabled devices. The algorithm is simple: you open the app, you select the scan feature, and the system uses the camera to capture the image, and then automatically processes it.

To get started, start the Google Drive app and find the add-on button, usually located at the bottom right of the screen. In the menu that opens, select the Scan option. The camera will go to a special mode where the guide lines will appear on the screen. Point the lens over the document so that it falls into the frame, and the system will take a picture at the moment of best focus.

Once you capture the image, the AI algorithms will automatically cut the edges and straighten the perspective if you've shot at an angle. You can manually adjust the scanning area by dragging the corners of the frame. Then you can choose the color mode: color, black and white or shades of gray. For text documents, the best option is black and white mode, which increases contrast and readability.

⚠️ Note: When scanning important documents through cloud services, make sure you use a secure Wi-Fi connection to prevent third parties from intercepting data on public networks.

Scanning through the Google Photos app

The second effective tool in the owner’s arsenal of Xiaomi Redmi 7 is the Google Photos app, which is often used to store images, but few people know about its powerful document processing functions. Unlike Drive, the focus is on improving image quality and extracting text from already taken photos.

To scan a document, take a regular photo of a document with a camera or select an image already in the gallery. Open the image in the Google Photos app and click on the Tools or Edit button. The editing menu often features the Documents or Scan option, which will apply filters to improve text readability.

One of the key features is Google Lens, which is integrated right into the app, and by clicking on the lens icon, you can highlight the text in the image and copy it, translate it, or send it to the computer, which is especially useful when you don't just save the picture, but digitize the content. The system does a great job with handwriting, although print recognizes it faster.

The advantage of using Google Photos is that it automatically syncs, and the scanned document immediately goes to the cloud, which is an extra copy in case of loss of the device, but it is worth remembering the limits of free space in your Google account, especially if you plan to scan large volumes of documentation in high resolution.

Standard annex Camera and document regime

In the MIUI shell installed on Redmi 7, the standard Camera application often has built-in text modes. While the basic version of MIUI 10 or 11 may have limited functionality compared to newer versions, basic macro and text enhancement tools are present.

Open the Camera app and scroll through the shooting modes to find Documents or Text. If there is, it automatically adjusts the exposure and white balance for the white sheet of paper, removing the yellow shades from the incandescent lamps, which allows you to get an image as close to the original as possible, without the need for post-processing.

If there is no separate mode, use Pro or Manual mode if available in your firmware version. Set focal length to infinity or manually sharpen the text. To improve quality, you can use HDR, which balances light and shadow, making the text clearer against the background of glare.

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Use a timer of 3 or 5 seconds when scanning documents from your hands, which will eliminate the micro-shaking at the time you press the down button, which is critical for clarity.

Third-party applications for professionals

If Xiaomi and Google’s built-in tools aren’t enough, the market offers tailored solutions, with CamScanner, Adobe Scan, and Microsoft Lens apps leading the way, providing advanced features such as batch scanning, automatic multi-page PDF creation, and improved background cleaning algorithms.

Adobe Scan is a great integration with the Adobe ecosystem and allows you to immediately send documents to PDF format with text recognition. Microsoft Lens is indispensable for users of the Word office package, as it can convert a photo of a table or text immediately into an editable file. This saves hours of manual data reprinting.

Installing third-party software requires careful permissions, and the app will need access not only to the camera, but also to a file storage and sometimes a microphone for voice commands, and always check what data the app collects, especially if you are scanning sensitive information.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid using unknown “light” scanners from unverified sources, which may contain advertising modules that will block the interface, or malware that steals data from your documents.

Customization of quality and format of preservation

The key to setting up the scanner on Redmi 7 is choosing the right save format. For text documents that don't require color rendering (contracts, help), the best choice is a high contrast black and white mode, which reduces the file size and makes the text more readable on the screen.

If you scan color documents, passports or diplomas, choose Color or Original mode. It is important to set high quality JPEG compression to avoid artifacts around small letters. Most applications can select scan resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch) is recommended for archiving documents, which is the standard for office equipment.

Remember the file format. The universal standard is PDF, which opens on any device and saves the layout. Image formats (JPG, PNG) are suitable for fast forwarding in instant messengers, but are less convenient for multi-page documents. Some applications allow you to save a copy in both formats at the same time.

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The optimal balance between quality and file size is achieved by using the JPEG compression PDF format and 200-300 DPI resolution for most office tasks.

Organization and storage of scanned files

Once the documents are scanned, it is important to organize them properly, chaotic file storage will lead to the fact that the desired document will have to search for hours, create a clear folder structure in the file manager Xiaomi or in the cloud storage.

Use clear file names instead of IMG_20231025_143022.pdf Call the files descriptively, for example, Passport Upturn_2023.pdf Or Contract Lease Apartments.pdf. This will allow you to search for documents by name. Many scanner applications have built-in text search inside documents (OCR indexation).

Backups regularly. Smartphone memory is not a reliable store of important data. Set up automatic scan folder sync with Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or send copies to your email, which will protect you from losing information in the event of a Redmi 7 breakdown.