How to make a document scan on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just call devices, turning into powerful pocket offices capable of performing tasks that used to require bulky hardware. Xiaomi device owners often wonder how to make a quality document scan on Xiaomi without resorting to installing heavy third-party applications that can slow down the system or contain intrusive advertising. Fortunately, the MIUI shell (and the new HyperOS) offers built-in tools to turn the camera into a high-performance scanner in seconds.

Using native features not only saves memory space, but also provides better optimization, as image processing algorithms are sharpened to the specific hardware of your device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to create digital copies, from the standard Camera to the specialized application Scanner, and also discuss the finer points of setting for the perfect result.

You’ll learn how to automatically align perspective, remove shadows and improve readability, which is especially important when working with official papers or educational materials. We’ll look at the nuances of working on different models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi series, so you can use your gadget at full capacity in any situation.

Use of the built-in Scanner application

The easiest and fastest way to get a digital copy of paper is to use the system application, which is preinstalled on the vast majority of Xiaomi smartphones. You can find it in the Tools folder on your desktop, or you can just search the system by typing in the name "Scanner." This tool is specifically designed for recognition. QR-Codes, barcodes and, most importantly, documents.

Once you start the app, you need to switch to Documents or Text, depending on the version of the shell. The camera automatically determines the boundaries of the sheet, even if it's not perfectly flat, and prompts you to take a picture. Artificial intelligence algorithms will instantly process the image, straightening it and removing the excess shadows, making the result similar to the work of a professional MFP.

One of the key features of this method is that you can take a picture of several pages in a row, and the system will collect them into a single file, which is extremely convenient for multi-page contracts or reports. Once you have finished shooting, the application will offer to save the result in PDF or JPG format, and also send it directly via instant messengers or email.

• 📄 Automatic definition of the boundaries of the document and correction of perspective.
• 📸 Possibility of creating multi-page PDF-file-in-session.
• 🔍 Text recognition function (OCR) Translating the image into an editable format.
• ⚡ Quick access via sidebar or widget on the desktop.

⚠️ Note: When scanning important small-print documents, make sure that the focus is on the text, not the background, otherwise recognition may be incorrect.

Scanning through the standard Camera app

If you don't want to search for a separate application, the built-in Camera module can also scan documents, although the functionality here can be slightly reduced depending on the model of the smartphone. In new versions of MIUI, you just point the lens at the text, and the smart assistant will suggest you go into scan mode, which is especially convenient when you need to quickly capture information without unnecessary clicking on the menu.

In some models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 or Redmi Note 11, Documents mode is integrated directly into the viewfinder interface. You just need to swipe through the additional shooting modes and select the appropriate icon. The camera will determine that the text is in front of it, and apply filters to improve readability, making the background white and the letters black.

However, it is worth considering that a standard camera may not save multi-page files to a single PDF automatically, unlike a specialized scanner.You will have to scan each page separately, then combine them with third-party means or send a series of photos.

To improve the quality of the shot through the main camera, it is recommended to use a tripod or elbows against the table to avoid lubricating the image. Even minimal hand shaking can reduce the clarity of small letters, which is critical for further text recognition.

• 📱 Quick access without running additional programs.
• 🎨 Automatic application of filters for text and boards.
• 📐 Virtual ruler for aligning the document when shooting.

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Use the "Portrait" mode with background blur only if the document lies on a very motley surface, in other cases, the standard mode will give a more natural color reproduction.

Customization of quality and preservation formats

The quality of the final file depends on the settings you choose before you start or during processing. The scanner application often has an automatic mode by default, but for professional tasks, it is better to manually select compression and color reproduction options, which allows you to control the size of the file and its detail.

When you save it to PDF, you get a universal document that looks equally good on any device and is ready to print. If you just need to send a picture to the messenger, choose JPG, but remember that this format can be worse at keeping small details sharp when compressed strongly.

The color setting is also worth special attention. For black and white contracts, the C/B or Document mode, which increases contrast, is ideal. For color graphics or passports, it is better to choose the Color or Photo mode to preserve all shades and security elements.

Keep in mind that high resolution takes up more space in Xiaomi memory, so when scanning large volumes of documentation, it is worth keeping an eye on the free space.The optimal balance between quality and file size is a resolution close to 200-250 DPI.

Work on multi-page documents

Scanning contracts, books or reports that are made up of multiple sheets requires a special approach to ensure that the final file is structured and user-friendly. Xiaomi’s built-in tools allow you to add pages to a single project without interrupting the process. To do this, after the first photo, you need to click the “Add” button or icon «+» scanner-interface.

It's important to keep the pages in order when you shoot, because the system keeps them sequentially. If you get the sheets mixed up, you'll have to rename the files or use third-party PDF editors to rearrange the pages, which takes too much time. Try to keep the phone parallel to the table surface so that the angle of shooting doesn't change from page to page.

Once you've finished scanning all the sheets, the system will suggest a preview, which is where you can delete the bad frames where the text is blurred, or turn the pages if they're upside down, and then you can click on "Save" or "Ready" after you've checked all the images.

⚠️ Attention: When scanning books due to binding, there may be severe distortions at the edges of the pages. Try to press the pages as flatly as possible, but carefully so as not to damage the book.

Using the batch processing function in the Scanner application significantly speeds up work, allowing you to create a single file weighing several megabytes from dozens of scanned pages, which is convenient for sending by email.

Use of Google Drive and Third-Party Solutions

If built-in capabilities aren't enough, the Android ecosystem offers alternatives. The Google Drive app, which is often pre-installed on smartphones, has a great scanning feature. It's accessed via the "+" button in the lower right corner and selected as "Scan." The word processing quality here is often even higher than in stock solutions.

Also worth mentioning are popular third-party apps like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens, which provide advanced editing, Word recognition, and cloud storage integration capabilities, but require installation, registration, and can consume more battery life.

For users who need to scan huge volumes of documentation daily, installing specialized software may be worthwhile, but for household needs and rare office work, the capabilities that MIUI provides out of the box are usually more than enough.

• ☁️ Automatic upload to the cloud immediately after scanning.
• 🔤 Advanced text recognition (OCR) multilingual.
• 📝 Ability to edit scanned text.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

Even with smart algorithms, there can be situations where the scan is poor. One of the most common problems is the glare from the lamps or the sun, which makes some of the text unreadable. To avoid this, change the angle of the phone or the light source, trying to keep the light falling evenly from all sides.

Another common mistake is the shaking of the hands when shooting, especially in poor light, when the camera shutter speed is increased. In such cases, it is better to head the phone against a book or use a timer to remove your hands before the shutter clicks. Fuzzy focus can also be caused by a dirty lens, so always keep the camera clean.

If the scanner application is slow or crashes, try clearing its cache in the application settings. Sometimes accumulated temporary files can interfere with the normal operation of the system, especially on devices with a small amount of RAM.

In the rare cases where automatic boundary determination doesn't work, use manual frame adjustment, so you can set the angles of the document yourself after shooting, dragging the markers on the screen, which takes longer, but ensures that the final file gets exactly what you need.

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The secret to success is stable lighting and a clean camera lens, which is more important than your smartphone model.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)