Xiaomi smartphones have long since ceased to be just a means of communication, they have become full-fledged tools for creativity. MIUI — They're standard Notes, which have a powerful drawing editor in them, and many users don't even realize that they can create sketches, diagrams or full illustrations right on their phone without installing third-party programs.
In this article, we will not only analyze the basic drawing functions in Xiaomi’s Notes, but also reveal hidden opportunities: from customizing brushes to exporting works in high resolution. You'll learn how to turn a simple note into a canvas for creativity, what gestures speed up work, and why this tool can replace many specialized applications. MIUI smartphone models.
Where to find a drawing tool in Xiaomi notes
Starting with MIUI 12, the drawing function is integrated into the standard Notes app (com.miui.notes), but not everyone knows how to activate it:
- Open the Notes app (an icon with a yellow notebook).
- Create a new note by clicking on the icon «+» lower-right.
- In the toolbar, tap the pencil icon (or brush – depending on the version). MIUI).
If there is no pencil icon, then your version of the app is outdated. Update Notes via Google Play or GetApps (for Chinese firmware). POCO X3 Pro) the drawing function can be hidden behind a long tap over an empty space in the note.
Important: on devices with MIUI For the global market (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) The interface may be different from the Chinese version. Global firmware sometimes lacks some brushes or layers, but basic drawing functions are retained.
Basic drawing tools: what can be done
The drawing editor in Xiaomi’s Notes offers a set of tools sufficient for most tasks:
- 🖌️ Hands and pencils: 5+ Types (from a thin pencil to a wide watercolor brush) Thickness and transparency can be adjusted.
- 🎨 Color palette: 24 basic colors + The possibility of choosing a shade through the color wheel (in the MIUI 14).
- 📏 Figures and lines: straight, arrows, ovals, rectangles. When you hold your finger, the shapes automatically align.
- 🧽 Lastic and cancellation: erasure with size adjustment, action history (up to 10 steps back).
- 📄 Layers: available in MIUI 13+, allow you to separate elements of the drawing (for example, background and inscriptions).
Unique feature Xiaomi: in notes you can draw over text, photos and PDF-For example, you can upload a screenshot of a schema and make pencil notes on it, which is convenient for learning or working with documents.
| Tool. | Available in MIUI 12 | Available in MIUI 14 | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustment of hand transparency | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | The slider appears when choosing a color |
| Automatic alignment of figures | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yeah (improved) | It works by holding your finger after drawing. |
| Layers | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (up to 3 layers) | Available in notes with drawings |
| Exports to PNG transparently | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | Only for drawings without background |
⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A) And drawing can slow down when you use thick brushes, and that's because of optimization. MIUI So the solution is to shrink the size of the brush or close the background applications.
Secret functions and gestures to speed up work
Many users have been using Xiaomi’s Notes for years, but are unaware of the hidden features:
- 👆 Double tap on the brush: quickly changes color to the last used (works in the MIUI 13+).
- 🔄 Three-finger swipe left/right: cancel/repeat (alternative to the button "Back»).
- 📱 Stylus tilt: On devices with Xiaomi Smart Pen support (such as Mi Pad 5), the penbrush tilt changes the line thickness.
- 🖼️ Long click on the picture: opens the menu of export to the PNG, JPEG or PDF.
Another life hack: if you want to draw a perfect circle or square, start drawing a figure, then hold your finger for 1 second, the line will automatically straighten or round. POCO M4 Pro.
Open a new note|Select the tool "Pencil" or "Brush"|Customize thickness and color|Activate the layers (if necessary)|Save the draft (autosave every 2 minutes)-->
For owners of Xiaomi Pad there is a bonus: in the horizontal orientation of the screen, the toolbar expands, adding quick access to the latest colors and shape patterns. And if you connect the keyboard, you can use hot keys (for example, Ctrl).+Z for cancellation).
How to Preserve and Export Paintings
The finished picture in Xiaomi’s Notes can be saved in several ways:
- Export to the gallery: a long tap on the picture → «Save the image. The file will appear in the folder. Pictures/Notes.
- Submit via the menu: click "Share» → Select the messenger or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
- Retention in PDF: In the export menu, select "Save How" PDF» — handy.
Important nuance: if the drawing contains text notes, when exporting to the PNG To save the text separately, first copy it to the clipboard. → Copy and then export the drawing.
⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 12 when exporting the transparent background patterns, they are stored with a white substrate. To avoid this, add any background (even white) through the Filling tool before saving».
For professional use (e.g. for design) it is better to export the drawings to the PNG It's the maximum resolution:
- Open the drawing in the note.
- Slip on three points in the upper right corner. → «Exports».
- Choose “High Quality” (available in the MIUI 14).
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If you need to edit an exported drawing, use the Xiaomi Gallery app – it has basic trimming and color correction tools.
Problems and mistakes in drawing: how to fix
Even with a tool that's so simple, it can fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The brush leaves intermittent lines | Low screen survey frequency | Enable the “High Frame Frequency” mode in the display settings |
| Colors are not displayed correctly | App cache failure | Clear the Notes cache in Settings → Annexes |
| No Brush Tool. | An outdated version of MIUI | Update the firmware or install APK «Notes" with APKMirror |
| The drawing is not preserved. | Lack of memory | Clear the storage space or save it to the cloud |
After the update MIUI missing the drawing function, try resetting the application settings:
- Go to Settings. → Annexes → Notes → Warehouse.
- Click Clear Data (Warning: This will delete all unsaved notes!).
- Reset the device.
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) after reset, you may need to re-authorize to Mi Account to synchronize notes.
What if the image disappeared after the update?
Comparison with other drawing applications
Xiaomi's "Notes" are not a replacement for Adobe Fresco or Procreate, but they're perfect for quick sketches or abstracts. Here's a comparison to popular alternatives:
- 📱 Google Keep: There's drawing, but no layers, and a limited set of brushes.
- 🎨 Autodesk SketchBook: Professional brushes and layers, but takes up a lot of space (100)+ MB).
- ✏️ Samsung Notes: More S-Pen tools, but not available on Xiaomi.
- 🖼️ Xiaomi Notes: lightweight, integrated into the system, supports export to the market PDF and synchronization with Mi Cloud.
The main advantage of embedded Notes is instant access, so you don't have to install anything else: open the app, draw, save it.
- Students (notes with notes).
- Designers (quick sketches).
- Engineers (diagrams and drawings).
- Parents (drawings with children).
If you want advanced features (like vector layers or animation), you should look at Infinite Painter or Krita, but a standard editor is enough for 80% of tasks.
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«Xiaomi wins over competitors due to the speed of work and deep integration with the company MIUI: Pictures are synchronized with the cloud, available offline and do not take up excess space.
Creative ideas: what can be drawn in notes
The possibilities of drawing in Notes are limited only by your imagination. Here are some ideas for inspiration:
- 📊 Infographics: Visualize statistics or plans (such as a workout schedule).
- 🗺️ Maps and diagrams: Draw a travel route or a room plan.
- 🎂 Greeting cards: add text and jewelry - ready to send to the messenger.
- 📚 Summary: Combine text and drawings for better memorization.
- 👗 Fashion Designers Often Draw First Sketch on Phone.
Example from life: user Redmi K50 He writes comics in his notes, exports them to the PNG, And then it's edited into video via CapCut, and another example is a math teacher who creates interactive graphics for students by adding notes over textbook screenshots.
If you want to try something complicated, such as a portrait, use the layering method (available in the form of a portrait). MIUI 13+):
- Create a new layer for the sketch (thin lines).
- Add a second layer for the base colors.
- The third layer is for details and shadows.
This approach makes it easy to control individual elements without spoiling the entire picture.