The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, turning into a full-fledged mobile office that is always in your pocket. Owners of devices Xiaomi and Redmi are especially lucky, since the shell MIUI offers many built-in tools for working with text and images. You no longer need to look for a copy center or connect a bulky printer to send a contract, certificate or lecture notes in digital form.
The process of digitizing paper on Android devices has become so simple that it takes only a few seconds. However, many users still take regular photographs of documents, resulting in crooked images with highlights and shadows. This not only looks unprofessional, but also makes it difficult for the recipient to read the text. In this article, we will look at how to turn your camera Redmi into a powerful scanner, using both system capabilities and proven third-party solutions.
We will look at the nuances of working with different firmware versions, since the interface may differ on models of different years of production. You will learn to recognize text, align perspective, and save files in universal formats. Are you ready to turn your phone into a universal scanner? MIUI may differ on models of different years of production. You will learn to recognize text, align perspective, and save files in universal formats. Ready to turn your phone into a versatile scanner?
Using the built-in scanner in the Camera application
The fastest way to get a digital copy of a document is to use the functionality that is already preinstalled on your phone. Engineers Xiaomi integrated the scanning module directly into the standard application Camera, which eliminates the need to install additional software. To launch the function, you need to open the application and find the item in the lower menu or in the “More” mode Documents.
After selecting this mode, the camera will automatically detect the boundaries of a sheet of paper and highlight them with a frame. You don't need to hold the phone perfectly straight - the system itself will straighten the image and trim off excess edges. This is especially convenient when you urgently need to photograph a passport or driver's license with one hand.
The quality of the resulting images directly depends on the lighting and the cleanliness of the lens. Wipe the camera with a soft cloth before starting to avoid any blurred areas. Also try to use a contrasting background: a white sheet on a dark table scans much better than on a colorful tablecloth.
⚠️ Attention: On some global firmware versions, the “Documents” mode may be hidden or absent. If you do not find it in a standard camera, check for the presence of a separate “Scanner” application in the “Tools” folder.
The functionality of the built-in scanner is constantly updated by the developers. The latest versions MIUI have the ability to instantly translate text and recognize QR codes without going to the browser. This makes a standard camera a powerful tool for working with foreign documentation.
For better scanning quality, enable the “Save original” option in the camera settings or select the maximum resolution before shooting.
Scanning via Google Drive and Google Photos
If built-in tools Xiaomi you are not suitable for any reason, you can always turn to the ecosystem Google. Almost every smartphone Android has a pre-installed application Google Drivethat has a hidden but extremely useful scanning function. It allows you to create multi-page PDF files directly from the cloud storage interface.
To get started, open the application Google Drive and click on the floating “Add” button (usually a plus in the lower right corner). In the menu that appears, select the option Scan. The camera will open in a special mode where you can take a photo, after which the system will offer to adjust the borders and select a color filter (for example, a black-and-white image for text).
The main advantage of this method is automatic synchronization. The scanned document immediately goes to your cloud and becomes accessible from any other device, be it a laptop or tablet. This eliminates the risk of losing important files if the phone breaks down.
- 📄 Possibility of combining several pages into one PDF file.
- ☁️ Automatic saving to the cloud without phone memory.
- 🔍 Built-in optical text recognition (OCR) for content search.
- 🎨 Flexible contrast and color settings.
An alternative is the application Google Photos, which can also recognize text in images, although it does not create PDF files directly. After uploading a photo of a document to Google Photos, you can open it, click on the Lens or Textbutton, and the system will highlight all the letters, allowing you to copy or translate them.
Third-party applications for professional processing
For users who require maximum quality and advanced features, the market Google Play offers many specialized applications. The leaders in this niche remain Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens and CamScanner. These apps use advanced image processing algorithms, removing shadows, evening out paper color and making text as clear as possible.
The application Microsoft Lens is ideal for those who work with office documents Word and Excel. It can recognize tables and save them in an editable format, which saves hours of manual retyping of data. Adobe Scan, in turn, is famous for its image cleaning engine, making even a photo of a crumpled check look like a scanned original.
Installing third-party software requires careful attention to permissions. The app needs access to the camera and storage, but sometimes they ask for unnecessary permissions, such as access to contacts or geolocation. Always check the list of requested permissions before installation.
| Application | Text recognition (OCR) | Export to Word/Excel | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Scan | Yes (automatically) | No (PDF only) | Free |
| Microsoft Lens | Yes | Yes | Free |
| CamScanner | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | Freemium |
| vFlat Scan | Yes | PDF, JPG | Free |
It is worth noting that many free versions of such applications can add watermarks to scanned documents. For regular work without restrictions, a subscription is often required, but the basic functionality is usually sufficient for everyday needs.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and subscription terms can be changed by developers. Before installing paid functions, check the current conditions in the description on Google Play.
Setting the quality and save formats
The quality of the final file depends not only on the camera matrix, but also on the correct save format settings. For text documents that you simply need to read or print, the optimal choice is format PDF in black and white mode. This significantly reduces the file size and increases the readability of the text.
If the document contains color graphics, signatures in different ink colors or photographs, you should choose the format JPG or color PDF. In the settings of most scanners you can select the resolution. To archive important papers, it is recommended to set at least 300 DPI (dots per inch), which is the standard for office equipment.
On devices Xiaomi it is also important to keep track of where files are saved. By default, scans may end up in the general gallery, creating visual noise. It is recommended to create a separate folder or album for documents to quickly find the files you need.
☑️ Checking the quality of the scan
Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the file extension after scanning. In this case, you can use online converters or file managers built into MIUI. The path to the files usually looks like Internal memory → DCIM → Camera or MIUI → scanner.
Working with multi-page documents
Document scanners, unlike a regular camera, allow you to combine many pictures into one file. This is critically important when digitizing passports, contracts or manuals. In the standard application Scanner on Xiaomi after the first snapshot, a button appears to add the next page.
The process is as follows: you scan the first page, then click the "Add" button (often indicated by a plus or sheet icon), take a photo of the second page and so on. Only after completing all the pages do you click “Save” and the system generates a single PDF document.
It is important to maintain the order of the pages when scanning, as rearranging them within the finished PDF file on your phone can be difficult. If you make a mistake, it is better to retake the page before the final save.
What to do if the pages are different sizes?
If you scan documents of different sizes (for example, A4 and a business card), some applications can automatically adjust them to the size of the first page, creating huge margins. In such cases, it is better to scan dissimilar documents into separate files or use the “Manual Crop” mode for each page individually.
Some advanced applications allow you to edit the order of pages after scanning. You can delete bad takes, rotate sheets, or change their sequence with your finger by dragging thumbnails.
Eliminating and optimizing the process
Even with modern technology, users can encounter problems. A common issue is poor lighting, leading to the appearance of yellow spots or shadows. Try to scan documents in daylight or under two artificial light sources on the sides to avoid shadows from the phone itself.
Another problem is “floating” text. This happens if your hand shakes while shooting. Rest your elbows on a table or use a tripod for your phone. The camera Redmi has optical or electronic stabilization, but it does not protect against strong shaking during long exposures in the dark.
If the scanner does not see the border of the document, try placing a contrasting background under the sheet. A black table for a white sheet of paper or a white sheet for a dark book work wonders with edge detection algorithms.
The secret to a perfect scan is not only the application, but also the correct lighting without glare and a contrasting background under the document.
If the application freezes or does not save the file, check for free space in memory. MIUI can block the scanner if the storage is full. Clearing the application cache also often solves problems with incorrect operation.
How to remove the watermark in free versions of scanners?
In most cases, you can remove the watermark only by subscribing. However, some apps, such as Adobe Scan or Xiaomi's built-in scanner, do not add watermarks by default. In CamScanner, the watermark can be removed by watching an advertising video inside the application before saving (the function may change).
Is it possible to scan documents without the Internet?
Yes, the process of creating an image and a PDF file does not require a network connection. The Internet is only needed for cloud synchronization, OCR (text recognition) in some applications and translation. The built-in Xiaomi camera works completely offline.
Which format is better: JPG or PDF?
For printing and sending official documents, always choose PDF. This format fixes the layout and prevents the text from appearing on the recipient’s screen. JPG is best used only for saving photos inside documents or when you need a minimum file size for instant messengers.