Xiaomi’s soap camera (the compact digital Mi Pocket, Mi Mini or Mijia Mini Camera series) has gained popularity due to a combination of affordable prices and good shooting quality. However, over time, owners face the need to refill ink – a procedure that requires accuracy and knowledge of nuances. Unlike inkjet printers, where cartridges are replaced entirely, Xiaomi’s soapboxes often use a continuous ink system (SNHR), which allows you to save on consumables.
In this article, we will learn how to properly fill up Xiaomi soapbox at home, from choosing ink and tools to step-by-step instructions tailored to the specific features of specific models, and learn what mistakes beginners most often make, how to avoid clogging the print head and what to do if the camera stops working after refueling. If you have never refueled a camera before, do not worry: if you follow the instructions, the process will take no more than 30 minutes.
Which Xiaomi models support refueling?
Not all Xiaomi compact cameras are self-refueling. Most models use chip cartridges that block work after the resource is exhausted, but some devices (especially early versions or modifications for the Chinese market) allow refueling.
- 📷 Mi Pocket Photo Printer – portable printer camera with support for NSHR (models 2019-2021.).
- 📷 Mijia Mini Camera (MDY-11-EM) — print-box 2×3 inch, refueled through the side port.
- 📷 Xiaomi Mi Mini Photo Printer (2020) – Updated version with improved ink delivery system.
- 📷 Redmi Photo Printer is a budget-friendly analogue compatible with Dye-Sub inks.
⚠️ Note: Mi Pocket 2 and later (released after 2022) are often equipped with refueling protection. Before starting the procedure, check the markings on the case or in the documentation. NO REFILL or CHIP LOCK, Filling may not be possible without bypassing the chip.
To determine exactly if your camera is suitable for refueling, pay attention to:
- 🔍 Type of cartridge: removable (can be removed) or built-in (fueled through the port).
- 🔍 Ink markings: Dye-Sub (sublimation) or Pigment (pigmentation).
- 🔍 Chip availability: If any, a reset or replacement will be required.
What ink is suitable for refilling?
The choice of ink is a critical step, and the use of incompatible consumables can lead to clogs in the print head, stripes in the photo, or even the camera fails. The following types of ink are suitable for Xiaomi soapboxes:
| Type of ink | Compatible models | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dye-Sub (sublimational) | Mi Pocket, Mijia Mini | Bright colors, quickly dry, resistant to moisture | They burn out in the sun, more expensive than pigmented ones. |
| Pigment (pigmented) | Redmi Photo Printer | Durability, resistance to UV rays | They can clog the head with prolonged simple |
| Universal InkTec | Most models | Low price, wide range | Quality depends on the party |
🔹 Recommended brands: InkTec, Lyson, Mitsubishi (for freeze-dry printers), Epson (pigmented). Avoid cheap inks without certification - they often contain impurities that clog duses.
Important: Models with a chip (such as the Mi Pocket 2) will require a zero-chip ink or a programmer to reset the meter, without which the camera may not recognize the refueled cartridge.
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Before buying ink, check their compatibility with your model on the manufacturer's website. For example, only freeze-dried inks with a label are suitable for Mijia Mini Camera. D2T2 or YMCKO
Preparation for refueling: tools and safety measures
Before you start filling, prepare the workspace and tools.
- 🔧 Syringes (5-10 ml) with thin needles (diameter 0.4-0.6 mm).
- 🔧 Rubber gloves – ink is toxic and poorly laundered.
- 🔧 Paper wipes or rags to remove spilled ink.
- 🔧 Tweezers – to remove the cartridge (if required).
- 🔧 Scotch or insulation - for sealing holes after refilling.
- 🔧 Chip programmer (if the cartridge is protected).
⚠️ Warning: Fill the camera in a well-ventilated room - ink vapors can cause dizziness. Avoid ink on skin or clothing: some pigments (especially Dye-Sub) leave stains. If the ink does get on your hands, wash your skin immediately with cold water soap.
Also prepare the camera:
- Turn off the device and remove the battery (if possible).
- If the cartridge is removable, pull it out by pressing the lock (usually located on the side).
- Check the integrity of the sealing rubber bands on the cartridge – if they are damaged, the ink will leak.
☑️ Preparation for refueling
Step-by-step instructions for filling Xiaomi soap box
The refueling process depends on the type of cartridge, and below is a general guide for most Xiaomi models (as exemplified by the Mijia Mini Camera).
Step 1: Removing the cartridge
1. Turn the camera over and find the cartridge compartment cover (usually marked with an icon) 🖨️).
2. Press the lock and carefully pull the cartridge. Don't pull the wires!
3. If the cartridge is built-in (as in the Mi Pocket), refueling is carried out through special holes on the top panel.
Step 2: Filling the ink
1.Put the ink into the syringe by removing the air bubbles (knock on the syringe body).
2. insert the needle into the cartridge hole (usually marked with the color: Y is yellow, M is purple, C is blue, K is black).
3. slowly inject the ink (no more than 3-5 ml at a time) until it starts to flow back out.This is a signal that the cartridge is full.
4. Repeat for all flowers.
Step 3: Installation of the cartridge and inspection
1. wipe the cartridge with a napkin, removing excess ink.
2. Set it back into the camera before the click.
3. Turn on the device and take a test shot on paper. If you have stripes or gaps, you need to clean the print head (see the next section).
What if the ink is not coming in?
Cleaning the print head after refueling
If you see stripes, blurred areas or missing colors after refueling, it's likely that the print head is clogged, and this is a common problem, especially if the camera has been out of use for a long time.
- 🔄 Software Cleanup: Go to the Camera Menu (Settings) → Service → Clean the head and start the process. Repeat 2-3 times.
- 💧 Handwashing: Moisten the lilaless napkin in distilled water or special cleaning liquid (InkTec Cleaning Solution) and gently wipe the duzes.
- 🔥 Warm up: Place the camera for 10-15 minutes next to a heat source (e.g., on a battery) and the ink will become less viscous and the clog may disappear.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use alcohol, acetone or other aggressive solvents for washing, they will damage the rubber seals and the head itself. If the clog is not eliminated after 3-4 attempts, you may need professional cleaning or replacement of the cartridge.
For prevention of blockages:
- 📅 Print at least 1-2 photos a week to keep the ink dry.
- 🌡️ Keep the camera at 15-25 temperatures°C (ink thickens in the cold).
- 🔌 If the camera is not in use for more than a month, remove the cartridge and store it in a sealed bag.
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Use only distilled water for washing – tap water contains impurities that can aggravate the clog.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make gas station errors, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Ink overflow | Leakage, damage to electronics | Fill slowly, no more than 5 ml at a time |
| Use of incompatible ink | Head clog, faded colors | Check the markings on the cartridge and ink packaging |
| Air entering the system | Passes during printing, noise at work | Before refueling, release air from the syringe |
| Non-hygienic practices | Spots in the photo, dust clogging duz | Work with gloves, use clean tools |
🔹 Tip: If you are refueling the camera for the first time, practice on an old cartridge (if any.
Another common problem is the ink counter reset, and in chip models like the Mi Pocket 2, after refueling, the camera can show that the cartridge is empty.
- 🔄 Use ink with a zeroing chip (sold as a bundle).
- 🔧 Get a programmer (e.g. Reset Key for Xiaomi).
- 📱 Install custom firmware (if available for your model).
Alternative refuelling methods
If standard refueling through the cartridge holes is not possible (for example, because of chip protection), alternative methods can be used:
1. Refueling through the CNHR port (for models with an external tank)
Some Xiaomi soapboxes (such as the Mi Pocket Pro) support continuous ink delivery.
- Connect an external ink tank to a special port on the camera.
- Pour the ink into the tank (usually 30-50 ml volume).
- Run a test print to blow air out of the system.
2. Use of adapters for cartridges
For cartridges with custom connectors (for example, in Redmi Photo Printer), adapters are sold that allow them to be refueled through standard syringes, such adapters can be found on AliExpress or in specialty stores.
3. Replacement of the cartridge with a compatible analogue
If the original cartridge is not refuelable, it can be replaced with a refillable cartridge (for example, from InkTec or Lyson), the main thing is to make sure that the camera model is compatible.
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When buying adapters or compatible cartridges, pay attention to reviews - some Chinese counterparts may not work correctly with Xiaomi firmware.