How to use Xiaomi mini printer: from setup to perfect shots

Portable printers are becoming increasingly popular with users who want to instantly materialize digital memories. Xiaomi’s mini printer is leading the market thanks to its compact design and affordable cost of consumables. Many owners purchase a gadget but face difficulties when first running or do not know how to achieve a rich color.

In this detailed guide, we will take a look at all the details of how to use a device, how to install the application correctly, choose a printing mode and avoid common errors. The ZINK technology used in these printers has its own features, ignoring which can lead to pale pictures.

You don't need ink or complicated driver settings to get started. The whole process is done via a smartphone. The Bluetooth connection ensures stable data transfer, and the built-in battery allows you to print anywhere.

⚠️ Warning: Before the first printing, be sure to remove the protective film from the paper cartridge, otherwise the printer will not be able to capture the sheet.

The basic principle of the work is to thermally activate the dye contained in the photo paper itself, which is why it is important to maintain a temperature regime and prevent the device from overheating during long printing runs.

First acquaintance: completeness and charging

Unpacking the Mi Portable Photo Printer is usually unquestionable, but there are details to look at right away. In the box you'll find the printer itself, the charging cable, the starter set of paper and the instruction. The cable has a specific connector, so it's best not to lose it.

Charging is done via a Micro-USB port (older models) or Type-C (newer versions) and the status indicator flashes orange while charging and lights up white when fully charged. 90 minutes, which is about enough time. 20-30 snapshot.

• 🔋 Check the presence of charge before setting up.
• 📦 Make sure the paper tray is closed before clicking.
• 🧹 Wipe the shafts of printing with a dry cloth if the printer was lying idle for a long time.

It is not recommended to use powerful fast charging units from smartphones, as the power controller may not work properly. USB-port 1A - 2A. This will extend the life of the lithium polymer battery.

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To keep the battery healthy, try not to drain the printer to zero. It is optimal to charge it when the indicator starts flashing red.

Installation and configuration of the Mi Home application

Without special software, the device becomes a useless piece of plastic, and the main control tool is the Mijia app (or Mi Home for the global market), which can be downloaded from the official App Store or Google Play stores.

Once you install the app, you need to create an account or log in to an existing one. Then click the add-on button. The app will automatically start searching for nearby gadgets. If the search is unsuccessful, select the printer manually from the list.

Settings → Bluetooth → Enable


Appendix Mijia → “+” → Device Search → Mi Portable Photo Printer

It is important to give the application all the permissions requested, especially access to geolocation and Bluetooth. Without this, the connection protocol will not be able to initiate data transfers. In some cases, you need to change the region in the application settings to China if the device is not determined.

The interface is intuitive, but it's full of functions, and you can not only print, but you can also edit photos, you can add filters, stickers and text, and you can print templates that allow you to create ready-made compositions, like calendars or postcards.

Paper loading and calibration

Proper loading of supplies is the key to quality printing, and a cartridge with paper is inserted into the upper compartment.

When you first install a new paper block, the printer can automatically calibrate, and if that doesn't happen, or if the colors on the print look distorted, you can manually run the process through the app, which equalizes the color reproduction and dye density.

Put the paper down with the color side (usually a blue or pink tint on the back side) and the blue gauge sheet that comes with the kit can't be thrown away, because it's used to clean the print head.

⚠️ Warning: Never open the tray lid during printing or calibration, this can lead to paper clogging and damage to the mechanism.

Printing and photo editing process

Choose a photo from the app gallery or take a new picture through the built-in camera. The editor offers a wide range of tools: cropping, rotating, filters, frames and adding text. Filters can greatly improve the perception of a shot, as ZINK technology sometimes sins in unnatural shades.

After editing, press the print button. The printer will warm up, which will take a few seconds. During printing, the paper will go through the mechanism several times, gradually manifesting the image. Don't pull the photo out right away, let it leave the bay completely.

• 🖼️ Use filters to correct color before printing.
• ✂️ Cut the photo to 3:4 to avoid white fields.
• 📝 Add in. QR-codes or text to create interactive postcards.

There's a batch printing option. You can pick out a few images and send them in a queue, and the printer will play them one by one, and this is convenient when you're making photo albums or stickers.

ZINK Technology: How it Works

ZINK stands for "Zero Ink" (no ink) The color is found in the crystals inside the paper itself. When heated with a heat head, the crystals change color. First it appears yellow, then purple, and then blue at the end, which is why the photo comes out of the printer several times.

Time is the main enemy of this technology, and over time, printed photographs can fade, especially when exposed to direct sunlight, but modern versions of ZINK Premium paper have a water-resistant and fading-resistant coating.

The quality of the print depends on the condition of the thermal head, and if you notice stripes or color gaps, you need to clean it with a blue sheet, start the cleaning process in the application, and the printer runs the sheet, collecting dust and soot.

⚠️ Note: Photos printed on a thermal printer cannot be laminated in the usual way - the high temperature of the laminator will completely destroy the image.

The cost of a single print is higher than in classic inkjet printers, but the lack of need to buy ink and complex maintenance makes up for this difference.Consumables should always be in reserve if you plan to use actively.

Problem solving and maintenance

The most common problem is that the printer can't see the phone or breaks the connection. In this case, try rebooting Bluetooth on your smartphone and turning off the printer itself. Also make sure that the application has access to geo-position, since in Android this is a mandatory requirement for Bluetooth Low Energy to work.

If the paper is hushed, don't pull it by force. Gently open the lid and remove the sheet with the mechanism. After that, be sure to clean the head. Frequent clumps may indicate contamination of the rollers or use of poor-quality paper.

• 📉 Pale printing: Replace the battery or check saturation settings.
• 🔌 Not included: check the cable and power supply.
• 📱 Connection Error: Remove the device from the Bluetooth list and add again.

To store your printer, choose a dry place at room temperature. Extreme temperatures (such as in a car in winter or summer) can damage the battery and the thermal head. Regularly wipe the case with a soft cloth.

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90% of printing problems are solved by replacing paper with original or complete recharging of the device before starting work.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions