Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming universal office tools that can replace the scanner. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the need to urgently send a copy of a passport, contract or check, but there is no printer at hand. Fortunately, the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS offer built-in solutions that do not require the installation of third-party software.
The process of creating digital copies of documents based on Android has become as simple as possible thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms. The camera automatically determines the boundaries of a piece of paper, aligns perspective and removes unnecessary shadows, which allows you to obtain images that look like scanned on professional equipment, not just like photos taken with hands.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to digitize paper, from the standard Camera application to specialized utilities, you will learn how to adjust the maximum resolution, remove glare and translate text into an editable format directly on your smartphone.
Use of the built-in Documents mode in the camera
The fastest way to get a good copy of paper is to use native functionality from the main camera module. Xiaomi engineers have implemented a special text recognition algorithm that is activated automatically or manually, you don't have to look for complex settings, just open a standard application.
When you hover your lens over a piece of paper, the system often suggests you switch to the right mode, and if you don't, you should find an icon on the top menu that says "Documents" or "Text," and when you activate this mode, the camera changes the processing of the image, increasing the contrast of black text on a white background.
It's important to ensure that the scene is evenly lit to avoid sharp shadows. The post-processing algorithm will try to align the colors, but in poor light, noises can appear. Try to keep the phone parallel to the table surface, although software perspective fixing will work even when shooting at an angle.
- 📸 Open the Camera app and select “More” or “More” mode».
- 📄 Find and activate the "Documents" or "Scanner" option».
- 🖼️ Point the lens over the document and wait for automatic frame capture.
- 💾 Check the result in the gallery and trim the edges if necessary.
⚠️ Warning: When shooting glossy documents (for example, plastic cards or laminated certificates), the built-in mode can give strong glare. In such cases, it is better to use the “Photo” mode with the flash turned off.
Scanning through the “Scanner” application
In the firmware MIUI And HyperOS has a separate system application called Scanner, which is a more advanced version of the camera mode and allows you to work with the camera. QR-codes, translate text and create multi-page PDF-You can find it in the Tools folder on your desktop.
The main advantage of this tool is that it can be batched, you can scan multiple pages of a contract in sequence, and then save them as a single file. OCR (Optical Character Recognition) allows you to extract text from an image for further copying to the clipboard.
The application interface is minimal and understandable even to an inexperienced user, with mode switches at the bottom of the screen, and the Document mode is designed to work with paper media, which automatically detects the edges of the sheet and applies filters to improve readability.
Once you've created the image, the system will suggest editing the image, tools are available to rotate, crop and change the color scheme, and you can choose a black and white mode that greatly reduces the size of the final file, which is convenient for sending through instant messengers.
Using Google Drive to Digitize
If the built-in tools don't fit for some reason, a great alternative is Google Drive, which is pre-installed on most Android smartphones and has a powerful built-in scanner, a method that is especially useful for those who want to save a document in the cloud immediately.
To start, you need to launch the application and click on the add a new file button, which is usually located in the lower right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, you should select the option “Scan”. The smartphone camera will go to a special mode optimized for capturing documents.
Google Drive automatically defines the boundaries of the document and takes a picture, and then you can add additional pages if the document is multi-page, and the system will suggest you choose a color filter: color, black and white or Grey mode, which is good for documents with signatures.
☑️ Scan quality check
The saved file is automatically uploaded to your cloud storage, which keeps the data safe even if the device is lost or broken, and the text in the scanned images is often searchable inside the Drive app itself thanks to Google’s recognition technology.
Comparison of scanning methods on Xiaomi
The right method depends on your specific tasks and the quality requirements of the final file. Each of the methods examined has its own unique features, advantages and limitations. For ease of comparison, we have compiled a summary table.
The built-in camera provides maximum speed, as it does not require you to switch to other applications. The Scanner app gives you more options for editing and working with text. Google Drive is ideal for those who want to sync and access from other devices.
| Characteristics | Regime of the Chamber | Appendix Scanner | Google Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch speed | Instant. | Fast. | Medium |
| Text Recognition (OCR) | Basic | Expanded | High. |
| Save in PDF | No (photo only) | Yes. | Yes. |
| Cloud synchronization | Through the Gallery | No (locally) | Automatically. |
When choosing a method, consider where exactly you plan to send the document. For a quick send to the messenger, you need a photo from the camera. PDF-file from the scanner or drive.
Customization of quality and preservation formats
The quality of the final image depends on the camera resolution settings and the compression format chosen. Xiaomi smartphones by default may have a balance between the quality and the file size, but for documents it is better to set maximum parameters.
Go to the camera settings via the menu in the upper right corner, find the resolution section, and select the maximum value available, such as 12 MP or higher, to save fine details and fonts without blurring when zooming.
High quality secret
For text documents, PDF is the best choice, which preserves layout and does not allow for random changes in content, and images are best saved in JPEG format with a quality of 90-100% to avoid compression artifacts.
⚠️ Note: Do not use the format PNG for color scans with photos, if file size is important. PNG It is designed for graphics with transparency and can take 3-4 More space than the optimized JPEG.
Processing and editing of scanned files
Once you've created a scan, you often need to do more processing. The MIUI Gallery and the built-in Scanner editor offer a basic set of tools. You can cut the extra edges, level the horizon, and change the color gamut.
To improve the readability of an old document with faded text, use filters. Black and white or Contrast increases the clarity of the letters. If there are spots or marks on the document, you can try removing them with the Lastik tool or retouch.
If you want to combine multiple photos into one document, use the PDF creation function. In the Scanner app, this is done automatically when shooting sequentially. In the gallery, you can select several images, click "Create" and select the document format.
💡
Use a tripod or elbows against a desk when scanning large volumes of documents, which will prevent lubrication and speed up the workflow.
The finished file can be sent directly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct or uploaded to the cloud. Android allows you to open files immediately after creation, which is convenient for checking the result before sending to the recipient.