How to use the scanner on the phone Xiaomi

Owning a modern smartphone from Xiaomi opens up a host of hidden features that often go unnoticed by ordinary users. One of the most useful but ignored features is the built-in document scanner, which does not require third-party applications. Owners of devices with a MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can turn their camera into a powerful office tool in seconds. This is especially true for students, office workers and anyone who often encounters paper media.

The standard Camera app or a separate Scanner component can not only take photos of text, but also recognize characters, translate them in real time and save them in an editable format. Many users continue to download heavy programs from the Google Play store, unaware that everything they need is already installed on the system by default. Using native tools provides better optimization and no intrusive advertising characteristic of free analogues.

In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of working with the scanner on Redmi and Poco smartphones, learn how to activate scan mode, what hidden functions exist for working with spreadsheets and how to properly process the resulting images, understanding these nuances will allow you to significantly improve productivity and quickly cope with work tasks directly from the phone.

Where to find and how to run a document scanner

The first step to being efficient is finding the right application. Depending on the operating system version and the regional firmware, the scanner can be accessed in different ways, most often through the standard Camera application. You just open the shoot interface and select Documents or Scanner from the top menu of modes. In some versions of MIUI, this mode is hidden in the additional “More” menu, which is called by swiping or clicking on the corresponding button.

An alternative way to run it is to use a system application called Scanner, which is usually located in the Tools folder on the home screen or in the menu of all applications, and it looks like a camera lens with colored stripes, and running through this application immediately opens an interface that is designed to work with text and codes, bypassing unnecessary photo settings, which is the preferred method for processing a large number of pages.

There is also quick access via lock screen or widgets. If you scan codes or checks frequently, it makes sense to add the Scanner widget to your desktop.This will allow you to run the feature in one tap without going through the camera menu. For owners of Mi AI-enabled devices, you can launch with a voice command or through the sidebar of the tools, if it is configured accordingly.

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For quick access, add the Scanner widget to your desktop – this will save time with frequent use of the feature.

It's important to note that in global firmware versions, some features may be called differently or moved. If you don't find Documents in the camera, check the settings of the camera app itself. Sometimes modes need to be activated manually, scrolling through the list of available options to the end and pressing the list edit button.

Modes of work: from text to QR-code

Modern image processing algorithms in Xiaomi smartphones allow you to switch between different use cases. The basic document mode is designed to scan A4 papers or less. The camera automatically determines the boundaries of the sheet, aligns the perspective and removes shadows, making the text clear and contrasting. This is ideal for creating digital copies of contracts, references or pages of books.

Text Mode (or OCR) focuses on character recognition. After shooting, the system analyzes the image and allows you to copy text to the clipboard, send it to the messenger or save it as a note, an indispensable feature for students who need to collect information from a blackboard, or for office employees who carry data from paper reports electronically.

Special attention should be paid to the mode of operation with codes. QR-If you hover your camera over a network access code, your smartphone can automatically suggest you connect to Wi-Fi without manually entering your password, and it also supports scanning payment codes, which speeds up the shopping process in stores.

• 📄 Document: Automatic framing, perspective correction and improved readability of text for archiving papers.
• 🔤 Text (OCR): Recognition of characters with the ability to copy, translate or send to notes.
• 🛒 Product/Barcode: search for product information online or check the price in online stores.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi: Instant connection to a wireless network when scanning a special QR-router-code.

Switching between modes usually happens by swiping left or right at the bottom of the camera screen or through the top menu, depending on the version of the interface. Some modes, such as Translation, work in real time, overlaying the translation over the original text on the screen.

Step-by-step: scanning documents in PDF

One of the most popular features is creating multi-page PDF documents, which allows you to replace bulky office scanners with one phone, and the process of creating a quality digital document requires a certain sequence of actions to ensure that the result is professional.

To start, open the Scanner app or Documents mode in the camera. Point the lens over a piece of paper. The system automatically highlights the area of the document as a yellow or white frame. Make sure the lighting is uniform and the shadows from your hands or phone don't overshadow the text. Press the shutter button.

After you shoot the first page, take your time to save the result. The preview interface usually has a page add button (often looks like a + or Add icon). Press it and scan the next page of the document. This way you can collect a multi-page file. After you complete all the pictures, click on the "Done" or "Save" button.

In the final step, the system will suggest selecting a save format. Select a PDF. Before saving, you can edit the document: crop the extra edges, rotate the pages or use a black and white filter to save space and improve readability. The finished file is stored in a gallery or a special scanner folder in internal memory.

⚠️ Warning: When scanning glossy documents (such as laminated passes), avoid using a flash, as it will create a large white spot that overlaps the information.

Text Recognition and Translation (OCR)

The optical character recognition (OCR) technology in Xiaomi devices has achieved a high level of accuracy, allowing not just taking photos of text, but also turning it into an editable digital format, which is especially useful when working with handwritten notes or printed books, where you need to quote fragments.

To use the feature, select Text or Translation mode. Point the camera at the desired fragment. If the text is static, you can take a picture. If the text is long, you better use hover mode, where recognition occurs on the fly. Once the image is captured, the system will highlight the recognizable areas.

You can select a specific paragraph or word just by tapping the screen. You can open an action menu where you can copy text, search it in the browser or translate it. You can support many languages, including Russian, English, Chinese and European. Recognition accuracy depends on font clarity and light quality.

The translation function works similarly, but instead of copying, it immediately replaces the original text with a translation, which is convenient when reading instructions or menus in a foreign language. However, it is worth remembering that machine translation can contain errors, so it is better to use professional services for important documents.

Table: Comparison of conservation formats

When saving scanned data, users often face a choice of format, and understanding the differences between them will help optimize file storage and future use. Below is a comparison of the main formats available on the system.

The choice of JPEG format is justified when the visual copy of the document is important, including signatures, seals and design features. PDF format is the standard for document transfer, since it saves layout and can contain several pages in a single file. TXT format is used exclusively for extracting text information without saving formatting.

Modern versions of MIUI also offer the option of saving in Word (.docx) format when using text recognition mode, making it much easier to continue working with a document on a computer, which may require an Internet connection for more accurate processing.

Quality setting and additional parameters

For best results, it is important to adjust scanning settings correctly. In the scanner settings menu (usually the gear icon or three dots in the corner), you can find resolution and filtering options. High resolution (HD or 12MP+) is recommended for small-print documents, but such files take up more space.

Image filters play a key role. Auto mode tries to balance itself, but often manual selection gives the best result. Increase contrast filter makes the text blacker and background whiter, which is ideal for black printers. Original mode retains all the colors that are necessary for documents with color graphics or photos.

⚠️ Note: Do not use maximum sharpening when scanning photos or documents with small details, this can create digital artifacts and make text unreadable.

You should also pay attention to autosave, so you can set the folder to save scans so you don't search for them all over the gallery, and you should create a separate Scans folder or use the standard MIUI/scan directory.

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The correct setting of the filter “Black and white” or “Increase contrast” can reduce the file size by 3-4 times without losing the readability of the text.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)