Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just a means of communication, having turned into full-fledged office tools. Owners of Chinese brand devices often wonder how to scan a document on a Xiaomi phone without installing third-party apps. This is really possible, since the MIUI shell and its successor HyperOS have powerful built-in functionality for working with images.
The need to quickly digitize a passport, certificate or contract arises unexpectedly. Previously, this required a stationary scanner and a computer, but today all it takes is one touch of the screen. We will look at all the available ways to turn a photo into a high-quality PDF file, using the resources of your gadget.
In this article you will find not only basic instructions, but also secrets of improving image quality. You will learn how to remove shadows, straighten perspective and save files in the desired format. We will also discuss the nuances of working with different firmware versions, because the interface may differ slightly on Redmi, POCO and flagship series models.
Built-in Scanner application in MIUI and HyperOS
The fastest and most reliable way to get a digital copy of paper is to use the system utility. Most Xiaomi devices come pre-installed with an app "Scanner"which is often hidden in the Tools folder. It is specially optimized for working with a smartphone camera, providing automatic recognition of document borders.
Launch the app and select the “Documents” mode. The camera will automatically detect a piece of paper on the table and highlight it with a frame. You don't need to hold the phone perfectly level - the algorithms computer vision will cut off the excess and straighten out perspective distortions. This is critical for official papers, where clear angles are important.
After pressing the shutter button, the system will prompt you to apply filters. For text documents, the best mode is “Increase Contrast” or “B/W”, which removes the gray background and makes the text black. Leave the color mode for photographs, birth certificates or color certificates, where it is important to preserve the shades of stamps.
For best results, wipe the camera before scanning - even fingerprints can make the text on the scan blurry and unreadable.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions or on global firmware versions, the “Scanner” application may not be available. If you don't find it in the "Tools" folder, check your camera settings or download the official version from GetApps.
Using Google Camera and Document Mode
If the standard utility for some reason does not suit you, you can use the capabilities of the camera itself. Modern modules in smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi support special shooting modes. Open the Camera app and scroll right to Documents.
This mode works like a standalone scanner: it focuses on text and automatically takes a photo when the document is in focus. The main advantage of this method is speed. You don't need to open unnecessary applications, just launch the camera. This is convenient when you urgently need to send a photo of a contract to a colleague.
However, it is worth considering that the camera saves the result as a regular image in the format JPG or PNG. To turn it into a full-fledged multi-page document, you will have to use additional tools, for example, a gallery or third-party converters. However, this method is indispensable for quickly capturing information.
Scanning via the Google Drive application
For users who are interested in having a single cloud storage, the application Google Drivewill be the ideal solution. It is already installed on most Android smartphones and allows you to create PDF files directly from the app interface. This is especially convenient for those who immediately want to send a document by mail or save it in the cloud.
Open the application and click on the “+” button in the lower right corner. Select "Scan". The screen will turn into a viewfinder. Point the camera at the document, take a photo, and add more pages if necessary. When finished, click “Save” and you have a ready-made multi-page file.
The main advantage of this method is automatic synchronization. Once you save the scan, it will instantly appear on your computer or tablet if you are signed in to the same account. You don't need to transfer files via cable or instant messengers. This saves time and eliminates the risk of data loss.
☑️ Correct scanning via Google Drive
Processing and improving the quality of scans in the Gallery
Sometimes automatic algorithms make mistakes and the document turns out too dark or skewed. In this case, the built-in Gallery MIUI comes to the rescue. It has a powerful editor that allows you to modify the photo after it has been taken. This saves the situation when the original document is not at hand.
Open a photo of the document in the gallery and click the “Edit” button. From the bottom menu, select the Crop and Rotate tool. Here you can manually set the corners of the document if the automation fails. Tools are also available to correct perspective, which makes the sheet visually flat.
Next, go to the filters or image settings section. Increase the contrast and saturation to make the text appear clearer. If the background remains gray, try lowering the brightness of the highlights. Some firmware versions have a special “Document” filter, which is applied with one click and gives excellent results.
⚠️ Attention: Do not save the edited file over the original. Always use the “Save as a copy” function so that you have the original photo in case of unsuccessful processing.
The secret of perfect black text
If the text on the scan looks gray and pale, go to manual color settings in the editor. Set "Shadows" to minimum and "Highlights" to maximum. This will create the effect of deep black text on a white sheet.
Comparison of scanning methods on Xiaomi
The choice of digitization method depends on your specific tasks. Some people care about speed, others about the quality of the final PDF, and others need integration with the cloud. To make it easier for you to decide, we have prepared a comparative table of the main methods.
The table below shows the key characteristics of each method. Pay attention to the output file format and the need for an Internet connection. These parameters often become decisive when choosing a tool in the field.
| Method | File format | Internet required | Processing quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scanner application | JPG / PDF | No | High (auto-crop) |
| Documents camera mode | JPG | No | Medium (focus only) |
| Google Drive | To save in the cloud | High (multi-page) | |
| Editor in the Gallery | JPG | No | Depends on the user |
To create multi-page official documents (passport, diploma), always select the PDF format, since the sequence of pages in it is fixed and will not be broken when sent.
Saving to PDF and sending documents
After you have received high-quality images, they often need to be combined into one file. In the Scanner application, this is done automatically: after capturing the second page, the system will offer to add it to the current document. At the end of the process, you will be able to choose a save format.
If you are using a gallery or camera, you will need the "Create PDF" function. In MIUI, this can be done through the “Print” menu. Open the image, click the menu (three dots), select "Print" and select "Save as PDF" from the list of printers. This is an Android system function that works on all devices.
The finished file can be immediately sent via instant messengers, email, or uploaded to the cloud. When sending via Telegram or WhatsApp choose the “Document” option rather than “Photo” to avoid automatic compression and loss of text quality. The recipient will see the file in its original resolution.
⚠️ Attention: System application interfaces may change with firmware updates. If you do not find the described button, look for a similar function in the settings menu of a specific application or check the information in the MIUI help.
Name the files meaningfully before sending. Instead of "Scan_20231010.pdf" it is better to use "Passport_Ivanov.pdf" - this will save time for you and the recipient when searching for the file in the future.
Frequently asked questions and solutions to problems
Why does the scan turn out cloudy or out of focus?
Most often the problem is The camera lens is dirty or there is insufficient lighting. Wipe the camera with a soft cloth and provide bright but diffuse light. Avoid using flash as it creates glare on glossy paper, making text unreadable.
How to scan a passport in a one-page spread?
In the “Scanner” application, take two separate pictures of the spreads. Then, in the gallery view of this app, select both images and click the "Create PDF" or "Combine" button. The pages will be automatically merged into one file in the correct order.
Is it possible to recognize text from a scan (OCR) on Xiaomi?
Yes, the built-in Scanner application supports the text recognition function. After scanning, click on the “Recognize text” button (icon with the letter T). You can copy the text to the clipboard or translate it into another language directly in the app interface.
Where are scanned documents stored?
By default, files are saved in the internal memory in the folder MIUI/scan or DCIM/Camera, depending on the application used. In the gallery, they are usually displayed in a separate “Scanner” or “Documents” album.
Is it safe to store passport scans on your phone?
Storing sensitive data in a general gallery is risky. It is recommended to use protected folders (Hidden Album in the Gallery) or encrypted archives. After sending the document, delete the originals from the device's memory to prevent data leakage.