How to make a scanner on a Xiaomi phone: hidden features and applications

The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, turning into a universal pocket office. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often do not even suspect that their device already has a powerful system for digitizing documents. MIUI HyperOS offers native tools that work faster and better than many third-party programs.

Using built-in features saves memory without installing unnecessary apps full of advertising. Moreover, the system scanner is integrated directly into the camera and gallery, which speeds up the process at times. You do not need to look for a shortcut on the desktop or wait for the loading of the heavy interface.

However, professional text work sometimes requires advanced features such as automatic perspective correction or advanced OCR recognition. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to activate hidden scan mode, what camera settings will improve text readability, and what third-party solutions are worth considering if standard tools aren’t enough.

Activation of the Documents mode in the system camera

The fastest way to scan text or an image is to use the regular Camera app. Xiaomi engineers have implemented a special processing algorithm that automatically aligns a piece of paper and removes shadows. To take advantage of this, open the app and find the "More" section in the bottom menu.

In the mode list, select Documents, the camera will automatically determine the boundaries of the sheet and prompt you to take a picture. If the automation is not working correctly, you can manually adjust the angles of the cropping after you take a photo, which is especially useful when shooting pages from books or crumpled paper.

The quality of the final file is directly dependent on the lighting and exposure settings. Before pressing the shutter button, tap the screen in the text area to focus and adjust the brightness. Avoid using a flash, as it often creates glare on glossy surfaces, making the text unreadable.

  • πŸ“Έ Open the Camera app and go to the menu MoreΒ».
  • πŸ“„ Select Documents mode for automatic alignment.
  • βš™οΈ Set up the exposure manually to eliminate glare.
  • πŸ’Ύ Save the result in format JPG or PDF gallery-menu.
πŸ“Š What camera mode do you use most often?
Photo Photo
Video
Portrait
Documents

Importantly, Documents mode can be called differently depending on the firmware version. In global versions of MIUI, it is often marked with a paper icon. If you haven't found this mode, try updating the Camera app through the GetApps system store.

Use of the Scanner application in the system

In addition to the camera, Xiaomi has a separate system application called the Scanner, which is designed to read. QR-It's code, but it can also translate text and recognize products, and you can find it in the Tools folder on your desktop or by searching.

To work with documents, start the application and switch to the Documents or Text tab, which has a batch scanning mode that allows you to shoot a multi-page contract and save it with a single file. OCR algorithms in this application work locally, which increases processing speed.

⚠️ Note: System scanners may request permission to access the Internet to improve text recognition. If you value privacy, turn off network access in application settings, although the quality of recognizing complex fonts may decline.

The app's functionality allows not only the image to be saved, but also the instant copying of recognized text to the clipboard, an indispensable feature for students and office workers who need to quickly transfer data from paper to digital, and supports recognition of many languages, including Russian and English.

β˜‘οΈ Checking the scanner settings

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Customization of quality and format of preservation

To make scanned documents look professional, you need to configure the saving settings correctly. By default, the camera can save photos in high resolution, which takes up a lot of space. For text documents, the optimal balance is the resolution, which ensures the clarity of the font without the extra weight of the file.

In the camera settings, look for "Imagine Format" or "Save." For documents, the best format is JPG with minimal compression or PNG, if every detail of the graphics is important. HEIF format saves space, but may not be readable on older computers without additional codecs.

ParameterRecommended valueImpact on outcome
Permission12 MP and higherClarity of small prints
FormatJPG / PNGPC-compatibility
Grid.On.Helps to level the sheet
WatermarkOff.Cleanliness of the document

Remember to turn off the watermarks of the phone model in the camera settings if you are scanning official papers.Having a Xiaomi or Redmi logo on a copy of a passport or contract can make the document invalid for some institutions.It's also worth checking if the Photo Improvement mode is enabled, which can unnecessarily blur the text.

High quality secret
Turn on the β€œSave Original” option in the camera settings or shoot in RAW format (if supported) to be able to handle color and contrast without loss of quality.

Third-party applications for professional digitization

Native tools are good for quick tasks, but for permanent work with archives, it is better to use specialized software. Market leaders are Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens and TurboScan. These applications use cloud algorithms to perfectly align color and remove shadows.

The main advantage of third-party solutions is that they can bundle and sort automatically. You can scan a stack of 50 sheets, and the app will cut them into individual files, recognize the text, and save them to a structured folder. Support for cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox allows you to instantly sync documents.

But installing unnecessary apps puts a lot of memory and battery on your system. If you need to scan documents once a month, MIUI tools are enough. For lawyers and accountants working with thousands of pages, installing professional software is a must.

  • πŸš€ Adobe Scan: Better Text Recognition and Integration PDF.
  • πŸ“‘ Microsoft Lens: Ideal for tables and boards, export to Word.
  • 🎨 TurboScan: Powerful Image Processing Engine.
  • ☁️ All applications require a stable network connection for full functionality.

Processing and editing of scanned files

After scanning, additional processing is often required. Xiaomi Gallery has a built-in editor to rotate the image, change contrast and add filters. Documents or Black and White filter makes the text more contrasting, removing the gray background of the paper.

To combine several photos into one PDF-You can use the standard print function for the file. Open a photo, click "Send" or a three-dot menu, and select "Print." As your printer, select "Save as" PDFΒ». This is a universal method that works on any version of Android without installing additional software.

⚠️ Note: When converting to PDF You can sort them by time they were created, not by the numbers in the file name. Rename the files (01, 02, 03) before combining so that the pages don't get mixed up.

If you want to edit the text itself, not the image, use services like Google Documents. The app can open images and convert them to editable text while maintaining formatting. The accuracy depends on the original image and font.

πŸ’‘

Using the Black and White or Documents filter in the photo editor significantly reduces the file size and increases the readability of the text on the screen.

Storage and cloud synchronization

Scanned documents take up space, and losing them can be a critical issue. Best practice is to immediately upload to cloud storage. Xiaomi phones are convenient to use Mi Cloud or integrated Google Photos.

Create a separate folder called Scanners or Documents and set up automatic synchronization, which will protect your data in the event of loss or breakage of your smartphone, and accessing documents from your computer via the cloud web interface significantly speeds up work.

Regularly review the temporary file folder. Drafts, failed shots and duplicates should be deleted so as not to clog the device memory. Use the Cleanup function in the Security app to find similar images.

  • ☁️ Configure autoboot in Google Drive or Yandex.Disk.
  • πŸ“‚ Create thematic folders for different types of documents.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Regularly remove duplicate images.
  • πŸ”’ Use a secure folder to store passports and bills.

πŸ’‘

For maximum security, keep scans of passports and bank cards in the β€œSecure Folder” (Hidden Album) gallery, access to which is protected by a password or fingerprint.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does Xiaomi’s camera not see Documents?
In some global firmware, this mode may be hidden or called otherwise. Try updating the Camera app via GetApps. If there is no mode, use the Scanner app or third-party programs, as the functionality may vary depending on the region of the phone's release.
Can I scan documents without the internet?
Yes, the built-in camera and basic features of the Scanner app work offline, but text recognition (translating a picture into editable text) and cloud synchronization will require a network connection.
How to improve the quality of the scan in poor lighting?
Use a white piece of paper as a background to make the camera better at defining boundaries. Turn on the flash only if it doesn't create glare, or use another phone's flashlight to light up. In the photo editor, increase contrast and select the Documents filter.
Where are the scanned files stored?
By default, the images are saved in a gallery on the Camera album or a separate album, Documents/Scan. The path to the files usually looks like /internal_storage/DCIM/Camera or /internal_storage/MIUI/scan.