Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming powerful pocket offices that can solve problems of any complexity. Owners of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro often face the need to quickly send a copy of a passport, contract or invoice, but there is no printer at hand with scanning function. Fortunately, the built-in 48-megapixel camera of this device allows you to create digital copies of high-quality documents without installing third-party software.
The process of digitizing papers on MIUI devices is as simple and intuitive as possible, even for beginners. You do not need to search for specialized applications in the Google Play Market, since the basic functionality of the system already contains all the necessary tools. Properly configuring the lighting and knowing a couple of secrets of the camera interface will help you get a result that will look professional.
In this article, we will take a look at all the scanning tools available, from standard system tools to cloud services, how to automatically align the edges of a document, improve readability, and save files in the right format, and we will also discuss how to optimize the camera settings for working with text documents in different lighting.
Use of the built-in Camera application
The fastest way to get a high-quality digital copy is to use the standard Camera app, which is preinstalled on your Redmi 8 Pro. Xiaomi developers have implemented a special mode in MIUI firmware that automatically recognizes text documents and improves their readability. You do not need to be an expert in photography to take the perfect picture of paper.
Run the app and find a mode in the bottom menu that could be called Documents or Text. If you can't see it right away, click the "More" button in the right corner of the screen. Once you activate this mode, point the lens over a piece of paper, the system will define the boundaries of the document and suggest you take a picture.
The AI algorithm in real time aligns perspective, removes shadows, and makes the background white and the text contrast. This is especially useful if you shoot at an angle or in imperfect lighting. The result of processing is stored in the gallery as a separate image ready to be sent.
⚠️ Note: When shooting in Documents mode, try to keep your phone parallel to a piece of paper so that autofocus works correctly and the text does not blur at the edges.
The quality of the final file depends on the purity of the optics and the stability of the hands. Wash the camera with soft cloth before starting work to avoid cloudy spots on the digital scan. Also make sure that there are no foreign objects on the document that can knock down the boundary recognition algorithm.
⚠️ Note: Do not use digital zoom with your fingers when scanning, as this results in loss of detail and digital noise on the text.
Scanning through Google Drive
If the built-in camera features for some reason do not suit you, an excellent alternative is the official Google Drive application. This method is good because the file is immediately stored in the cloud storage, taking up a minimum of space in the memory of the Redmi 8 Pro smartphone. In addition, Google offers one of the best text recognition algorithms on the market.
To get started, open the app and click on the plus icon in the lower right corner of the screen. In the menu that appears, select the Scan option. The camera will open in special mode, where you can take a snapshot of the document, and then the system will suggest framing the image and selecting a color filter.
One of the key features of this method is the ability to create multi-page PDF-After the first shot, click the add page button to scan the next page. When all the pages are ready, save the file and it will automatically upload to your cloud.
- 📄 Automatic definition of the edges of the document and cropping of extra fields.
- ☁️ Instant sync with your Google account and access from any device.
- 🔍 Built-in text recognition (OCR) for subsequent search of the content.
Using cloud services offers the added benefit of data security: Even if you lose your Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, scanned documents will remain available once you log in from another gadget, making it a preferred method for dealing with important correspondence.
☑️ Preparation for scanning
Configuring quality parameters and resolution
To get the most clear image of text, it is important to adjust the shooting parameters correctly. Redmi 8 Pro owners can expect high resolution matrix, but standard settings can be optimized for working with documents. Go to the camera settings through the gear in the corner of the screen.
Note the aspect ratio. For documents, the best fit is 4:3, which uses the entire matrix area without digital crop. 16:9 is for video and wide panoramas, so it will just crop some of the image above and below, reducing the useful resolution.
You should also disable various beauty effects or filters that can blur fine text details. In photo quality settings, select the maximum resolution available so that when you zoom in, the letters remain clear and readable.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship of parties | 4:3 | Maximum use of the matrix |
| Permission | 48 MP (high) | Clarity of small prints |
| HDR | Auto or on | Balance of light and shadow on the leaf |
| Grid. | Turn on | Helps align the document |
Turning on the grid in the camera settings is a small life hack that makes life much easier. Perpendicular lines will help you place your phone strictly parallel to a piece of paper, avoiding trapezoidal distortions even during the shooting stage.
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Use HDR mode when shooting documents in bright sun to remove glare from glossy paper and level the exposure.
Processing and improving scanned images
Once you've taken a picture, you often need to do more processing to make the document look good. The MIUI Gallery's built-in editor offers powerful image tools. Open the photo and click Change to go into editing mode.
In the tool menu, find Filters or Improve. Document or Black and White filters are ideal for text documents, which increase contrast by making the background pure white and the letters richly black, which mimics the work of an office scanner.
If the edges of the document were not perfectly cropped, use the "Capacity" and "Turn" tool, you can manually tighten the angles of the frame to exactly match the boundaries of the sheet, which is especially true if the shooting was carried out from hand without a tripod.
Remember that over-processing can make text unreadable. Contrast and sharpness should be increased moderately. If the text starts to float or compression artifacts appear, it is better to go back to the original image and try softer filter settings.
Secret scanning mode
Save in PDF and transfer files
When the image is ready, the question arises about the format of the save. JPG format is suitable for transferring photos, but for official documents the de facto standard is PDF. This format ensures that the document will look the same on any device and it cannot be accidentally changed.
To convert an image to PDF on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, open the photo in the gallery, click the "More" button (three dots) and select "Print". In the window that opens, select the "Save as PDF" printer. This system method works without installing unnecessary applications.
The finished file can be sent via instant messengers, email or uploaded to the website of public services. When transferring via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), be sure to choose the option “Send as a file” or “Without compression” so as not to lose the quality of the text.
- 📤 Format PDF Protects the document from accidental editing by the recipient.
- 📉 Conversion to PDF Often reduces the weight of the file compared to the original JPG.
- 🔗 Possibility to combine multiple photos into one multi-page file.
Using standard conversion tools is safer than downloading questionable converters from the internet, and you don’t risk passing personal data to third parties, as the whole process takes place locally on your device.
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PDF is the most universal and secure standard for transferring scans of documents to government agencies and banks.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the advanced technology, users can face difficulties. Often the problem lies in poor lighting: shadows from the hands or phone fall on the document, making part of the text invisible. The solution is simple: shoot in diffuse daylight or use two lamps on the sides.
Another common mistake is blurring due to hand tremors. The Redmi 8 Pro camera has optical stabilization, but in low light exposure increases, and lubrication is inevitable. Try to swing your elbows against the table or use a self-start timer to have time to remove your hands before taking a picture.
If the camera app isn’t working properly or doesn’t recognize the document, try clearing the app’s cache. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Camera and click Clear Data. This will return the camera settings to factory values.
⚠️ Warning: Clearing the camera app data will reset all your user settings, such as grid enabled, geolocation in a photo, and beeps.
In rare cases, the problem may be due to a lack of free memory: If the storage is overcrowded, the camera may not save new files or work with errors. Regularly check the free space in the Security → Cleanup menu.