How to scan a document on a Xiaomi Redmi phone

Smartphones are no longer just a means of communication, becoming powerful office tools that are always at hand. Xiaomi and Redmi device owners often face the need to send a copy of a passport, contract or account, and buying expensive MFPs is not required. Built-in image processing algorithms allow you to obtain digital copies that are almost as good as scanned on stationary equipment files.

The process of creating scans on devices of this brand is as simplified and integrated into system applications, which saves the user from the need to search for third-party software. The camera in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS is equipped with a special mode that automatically determines the boundaries of paper, aligns perspective and removes shadows. This allows you to create readable documents even in imperfect lighting, which is critical for official authorities.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to digitize papers, from the regular system tools to professional applications from Google Play. You will learn how to properly adjust the shooting parameters so that the text is clear and the background is perfectly white. Finished files can be instantly sent by email or stored in cloud storage.

Use of built-in scanning mode in the camera

The fastest and most efficient way to get a quality copy of a document is to use the functionality of the standard camera preinstalled on all Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. The developers have implemented a special algorithm that activates automatically when you hover your lens over a text sheet. You do not need to search for hidden menus, just open the application and hold the phone to paper.

When the system recognizes text, the Documents icon or the corresponding prompt appears in the bottom corner of the viewfinder. Once you press the shutter button, the phone will take a series of pictures, select the best one and process the image. Automatic correction will remove the gray fields, level the skews and increase the contrast of the text, making it look like the nana version.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure that no shadows fall from the hands or smartphone itself when shooting, otherwise the algorithm may misdetect the boundaries of the document.

For best results, it is recommended to use a tripod or elbow against a hard surface to prevent lubrication of the image. If the document is multi-page, the camera will suggest continuing to shoot the following sheets, combining them into one. PDF-This makes it much faster to work with large volumes of paper documentation.

Configuring the quality parameters and the format of preservation

To make the scan look professional, it is important to adjust the shooting settings correctly before you start work. From the camera settings menu, you can choose the resolution of the shot and the format of saving. For text documents, the best choice is the JPG format with high compression quality or the universal PDF, which is easier to send through instant messengers.

Pay attention to HDR settings and white balancing. HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode helps to keep details in light and dark areas of the image, which is useful if the lighting in the room is uneven. However, for pure black and white text, it is sometimes better to turn off this feature to avoid colored artifacts appearing on a white background.

Some versions of the MIUI have a text enhancement or a clean document feature, which when activated, force the image to monochrome, removing all color spots and making the background snowy white, especially when scanning old documents with yellowish paper.

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Use the Pro mode in the camera for manual ISO setting and shutter speed if the automation is constantly making mistakes in difficult lighting.

Scanning through the Google Drive app

If a standard camera for some reason does not cope with the task or you need additional text recognition features, Google Drive will come to the rescue. It is pre-installed on most Redmi devices and has a built-in scanning module that often works even more accurately than the system.

The menu that opens will select the option “Scan”. Then the camera interface will open, where you can select the color mode (color, black and white, color document) and control the focus. Google Drive also knows how to automatically determine the edges of the document and offers to fraternize the image before saving.

The main advantage of this method is instant synchronization, the scanned file immediately enters your cloud storage, taking up the minimum space on the internal storage of the smartphone, you can access the document from any other device just by logging into your account.

Third-party applications for professional processing

For users who need advanced functionality such as OCR (optical character recognition) or batch processing of hundreds of pages, there are specialized applications, the market leaders are CamScanner, Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens. These programs offer more flexible image filtering settings and allow you to edit scanned text.

Apps like Adobe Scan automatically find the edges of a document, even if it's on a desk at an angle, and straighten it out. They can also remove glare from the lamination or glossy surface, which is often a problem when shooting on a phone. Processed files can be provided with watermarks or digital signatures.

However, it is worth considering that many advanced features in such applications are available only on a paid subscription, and they can require more system resources, which leads to increased battery consumption during long run.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party cloud services, read the privacy policy carefully, as you transmit images of your documents to third-party servers.

Comparison of scanning methods on Xiaomi

The best way to choose depends on your specific tasks and the quality requirements of the final file. Below is a comparative table that will help determine the method of digitization in various situations.

As you can see from the table, the built-in camera benefits in speed and convenience, without requiring the installation of additional software. Third-party solutions are advisable to use for work with archives or when you need to extract text from the image for further editing.

Preservation and transfer of scanned documents

Once a document is scanned, it must be saved correctly and transmitted to the recipient. Files are usually saved in the gallery in the folder "Scanners" or "Documents". For transfer via messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), it is better to use a compressed format so as not to waste traffic of the interlocutor, and for official correspondence - the original quality.

If you are working with sensitive information, make sure that the scan does not show unnecessary details, such as card numbers or passwords that could get into the frame.Modern Xiaomi phones allow you to quickly edit the image by adding blurring native areas right in the gallery.

For regular work with documents, it is recommended to set up automatic upload of scans to the cloud, this will create a backup and protect data in the event of loss or breakage of the smartphone, the device’s memory will remain free for other tasks.

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Regular cleaning of the folder with scans and sorting files by date will help to maintain order in the documentation and quickly find the right files.