Xiaomi Editor: How to Use All the Features and Hidden Tools

The built-in editor on Xiaomi smartphones is a powerful but often underrated tool that allows you to quickly process photos, videos and even text documents without installing third-party applications. Many users limit themselves to basic functions like cropping or adding filters, unaware that professional tools are hiding under the hood: correction of perspective, work with layers, removing objects from photos and even creating collages with templates.

The problem is that the editor interface MIUI It's not always intuitive. For example, access to advanced features can be hidden behind a long tap or swipe to the side, and some tools (like skin retouching or real-time effects) are not signed at all. In this article, we will analyze not only the obvious functions, but also those that are not written about even in official guides – for example, how to save editing settings in the preset or why the Cancel button sometimes disappears».

Special attention will be paid to the differences between models: on flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the editor supports processing. RAW-file-work 8K-Video, while on the budget Redmi Note, some of the features can be reduced, and we will also consider how to get around the restrictions - for example, enable hidden tools through Settings. → Special facilities → Laboratory MIUI.

Where to find a Xiaomi editor and what formats it supports

The built-in editor is integrated into the standard Mi Gallery app to open it:

• 📷 Go to the Gallery, select a photo or video and tap the Edit icon (pencil in the bottom menu).
• 🎬 For video: click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Edit Videos».
• 📄 For text files: use the Notes or Files app (some firmware has a built-in text editor with Markdown support).

Xiaomi editor works with the following formats:

On devices with MIUI 14 The newer editor automatically saves the original files to the folder.MIUI/Backup — This means that even after editing, you can return the source through the “Return the original” menu (available during the course of the edit). 30 days).

⚠️ Note: If you are editing a photo in format HEIF (It is used by default on the new Xiaomi to save space, some features like selective color correction may not be available. JPEG via the Export menu».

Basic functions of the editor: cropping, filters and correction

Even if you’ve never used editors, Xiaomi’s basic tools are intuitive.

• ✂️ Cut and turn: swipe around the edges of the photo, select the area, tap "Done." Turn 90.° Use the icon with the arrow.
• 🎨 Filters: 20+ The long tap on the filter will show its name.
• 🔧 Correction: adjusting exposure, contrast, saturation and color temperature. Sliders respond to gestures, you can fine-tune the value by holding your finger.
• 🖌️ Brushes: Tools "Clarify", "Discolor" and "Blurr" with adjustable intensity (from 10% to 100%).

Hidden chip: If you hold your finger on a correction slider (like “Exposure”), you will get a digital value of the current parameter, which is useful for fine-tuning or repeating effects on other photos.

The same tools are available for video, but with limitations:

• 📽️ The video clipping works only in 0.5 seconds increments.
• 🎵 Adding music is possible, but tracks are cropped to video length (no loop function).
• 🔊 The volume control is only available in MIUI 14+.

Advanced tools: retouching, object removal and layering

And here's the interesting part. Most users don't know what the Xiaomi editor can do:

1. Remove objects from the photo (the Magic Gum tool):

1. Open the photo in the editor, tap "Tools» → «Remove the object».
2. Circle an unnecessary item (such as garbage on the ground or a random person).
3. Click “Delete” – the algorithm will fill the area with texture from the surrounding background.

💡 Works better on homogeneous backgrounds (sky, wall) and complex textures like grass or sand can leave artifacts on them.

Retouch the skin and face:

• 👤 In the Portrait section, tools are available for Skin Smoothing, Remove Bags Under the Eyes and Change the Shape of the Face».
• 🔄 The slider "Naturality" regulates the intensity of the effects (we recommend not to exceed 50%, otherwise the face will look plastic).

3. Work with layers (collages and overlays):

• 🏞️ In the menu "Collage" you can combine up to 9 photos with adjustable borders and backgrounds.
• 🖼️ The Overlay tool allows you to add one photo over another with transparency adjustment (useful for creating memes or artistic effects).

⚠️ Attention: Remove Object uses a lot of RAM. On devices with 4GB of RAM (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The editor may fail to close. Solution: Close all background applications before you start working.

Close all background applications|Connect the charger (for video) >1 minute)|Make a copy of the original file|Check the vacant space (needs at least 500 MB)-->

Hidden functions: presets, animations and editing RAW

These tools are not on the surface, but they greatly expand the possibilities:

1. Preservation of user presets:

• After applying the effects, tap on three points in the upper right corner → «Save it like a preset».
• Presets are available in a separate tab and synced through Mi Account (if cloud backup is enabled).

2. Creating animations (for storis):

• In the video editor, select “Effects» → «Animation».
• Templates “Zoom”, “Panorama” and “Text with the effect of appearance” are available.

3. Editing RAW-files (only on flagships):

• Open up. RAW-photo (format.DNG) gallery.
• In the editor will appear additional tabs: “Curves», «HSL» (stain control) and “Noise suppression».

Xiaomi 13 Pro and newer in editor RAW The function "Double exposure" is available - it allows you to combine two frames with different exposure into one HDR-Photos on your phone without using Photoshop.

Video Editing: Editing, Transitions and Sound Management

Xiaomi video editor does not reach CapCut or KineMaster, but for quick editing is enough:

Basic functions:

• ✂️ Trimming and splitting: Drag sliders to a timeline or tap "Separate" for an accurate shot.
• 🎶 Adding music: formats are supported MP3 and M4A. Music automatically adjusts to the length of the video.
• 📝 Text and stickers: 50+ fonts and animated stickers (for example, “Like” or “New Year’s Day»).

Hidden chips:

• 🔊 Noise Removal: There is a Noise Repression slider in the sound settings (only works on recordings from the main microphone).
• 🎭 Transition effects: Between clips you can add “Dangering”, “Shift” or “Spinning” (available when adding a second video to the timeline).
• 📊 Stabilization: If the video shakes, turn on the “Stabilization” option in the tool menu (effective only with a slight shake).

Limitations:

• The maximum project length is 30 minutes (on devices with 6 GB of RAM and less - 10 minutes).
• Exports to 4K Available only at the original video resolution not lower 1080p.
• You can’t add voice over the existing sound (you’ll have to remove the original track).

💡

If you want to mount a video longer than 30 minutes, break it into pieces in the Xiaomi editor, and then glue it through CapCut or Premiere Rush on your PC.

Editing text documents and screenshots

Few people know, but Xiaomi offers tools for working with text:

Screenshot editor:

• After creating a screenshot (power button combination) + Volume reduction) at the bottom will appear the quick editing panel.
• Tools are available: cropping, blurring (to hide personal data), drawing and adding text.
• 📌 Hidden function: if you hold your finger on the text in the screenshot, the option “Recognize the text” will appear» (OCR) — You can copy the text directly from the image.

2. Note Editor (Mi Notes):

• Supports Markdown (for example, to create lists or highlight headings with # characters).

3.Working with PDF:

• In the application "Files" can be opened PDF and add annotations (emphasis, cross-out, comments).
• 📱 Use the “Hand” tool to sign documents (available after tap on the pencil icon).

⚠️ Attention: Function OCR (Text recognition from screenshots only works when you're connected to the Internet — data is sent to Xiaomi servers for processing. If privacy is critical, use offline applications like Adobe Scan.

Mistakes and problems: what to do if the editor is not working

Even the built-in tools MIUI Sometimes they fail. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

If the editor does not open at all:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version (check Settings → System Update).
2. Clear the gallery data (⚠️ This will remove all unsaved edits!).
3. Install an alternative gallery (like Google Photos) – it uses its own editor.

💡

Before resetting the gallery settings, make a backup of the folder DCIM/.thumbnails — It contains miniatures for quick viewing.

Comparison with other editors: when to use third-party apps

Xiaomi’s built-in editor covers 80% of everyday tasks, but in some cases it’s better to turn to specialized tools.

Advantages of the built-in editor:

• 🔹 No advertising or subscriptions.
• 🔹 Optimized for Xiaomi iron (less battery heat).
• 🔹 Integration with Mi Cloud (automatic edit backup).

When to switch to third-party solutions:

• 🎬 For professional video editing (multi-track voiceover, key personnel).
• 🖼️ To work with vector graphics or logos.
• 📊 For batch processing of photos (for example, renaming) + filtering for 100 images).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions