Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for making calls and have turned into powerful pocket offices. Device owners Xiaomi and Redmi often face the need to quickly digitize paper media, be it a certificate, contract or passport page. Fortunately, to do this, you no longer need to look for a bulky MFP or install third-party software of dubious quality.
The built-in shell toolkit MIUI (and the new one HyperOS) offers native solutions that work no worse than paid analogues. You can create a high-quality image in seconds using the standard Scanner application or camera capabilities. This saves time and allows you to keep all important papers in digital form directly in the phone’s memory. PDF file or image in seconds using the standard Scanner app or camera capabilities. This saves time and allows you to keep all your important papers digitally right in your phone's memory.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for digitizing documents on ecosystem devices Xiaomi. We will look at quality settings, methods for automatic edge recognition and ways to export finished files to convenient formats for sending to colleagues or government agencies.
Built-in Scanner application: the main tool
On most smartphones Redmi i Xiaomi a system application called “Scanner” is preinstalled. It is integrated deeply into the system and has wide functionality that goes beyond simple photography. You can find it in the “Tools” folder on the desktop or through a search in the application menu.
When you start, you will see a set of operating modes, among which the most popular is "Document". This mode automatically detects the edges of a sheet of paper on the table, straightens the perspective and improves the readability of text by removing shadows. Image processing algorithms in MIUI are configured to make the background as white as possible, and the text as contrasting and black.
The scanning process is intuitive even for a beginner. Just point the camera at the sheet, wait for the yellow frame to appear, indicating the capture zone, and press the shutter button. After this, the system will offer to crop the excess or flip the image if it was recognized incorrectly.
- 📸 The "Document" mode automatically aligns the geometry of the image.
- 🎨 The "B/W" and "Increase Contrast" filters make the text clear.
- 📑 Possibility of combining several pages into one file.
- 📤 Quick export to PDF or JPG via the "Share" menu.
One of the key features is support for batch scanning. You can shoot ten pages of a contract at once, and the application will save them as a single document, and not as a set of separate pictures. This is critically important when working with multi-page agreements or reports.
⚠️ Attention: If the Scanner application is not included in your firmware (often in global versions without Google services or in custom builds), you can download it from the GetApps store or install an APK file corresponding to your version of Android.
Scanning through the Camera application
Not all users know that the standard application "Camera" in smartphones Xiaomi can also scan documents. This is convenient when you need to take a photo on the fly without switching between apps. The camera functionality is constantly updated along with the firmware, adding new artificial intelligence modes.
To activate this feature, open the camera and find the “More” mode or the document icon in the bottom menu. In some versions of MIUI, you just need to point the lens at the text, and the system itself will offer to switch to document enhancement mode. This works thanks to neural networks that analyze the scene in real time.
The quality of images in this mode may differ from a specialized scanner. The camera tends to preserve the natural colors of the paper, which is good for color references, but may be less effective for low-contrast black-and-white text. However, this method is ideal for archiving color documents.
After shooting, the image goes to the gallery, where it can be immediately edited. The built-in photo editor allows you to apply filters similar to those in the Scanner application, as well as trim edges manually if the automation makes a mistake.
For best quality when scanning through the Camera, turn off the flash and use natural light to avoid glare on the glossy surface of documents.
Use Google Lens (Google Lens)
For users who prefer the Google ecosystem, the built-in service Google Lens (Lens) is an excellent solution. It's accessible directly from the Google search widget on your desktop or through the Google Photos app. This tool is especially powerful in text recognition and translation.
By launching Google Lens and selecting the Documents tab, you have access to an advanced processing algorithm. The system doesn’t just photograph the sheet, it analyzes the structure of the text, saving paragraphs and lists. This makes subsequent copying of text from the image to the clipboard as accurate as possible.
The main advantage of this method is cross-platform. The scanned document is automatically synced with your Google account and becomes available on any device where you are signed in. You can start scanning on your phone Redmiand open the PDF on your computer via Google Drive.
In addition, Google Lens allows you to instantly translate scanned text. If you come across a document in a foreign language, pressing one button will replace the original characters with translated ones directly on top of the image. This is an indispensable function for working with international documentation.
| Characteristics | Scanner application | Camera (DOC mode) | Google Lens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text processing quality | High (B/W filter) | Medium (Color photo) | High (OCR analysis) |
| PDF creation | Yes, multi-page | No (only photo) | Yes, via Google Drive |
| Text recognition (OCR) | Basic | None | Advanced + Translation |
| Synchronization | Local / Mi Cloud | Gallery | Google Account |
Why is Google Lens better at recognizing text?
Google algorithms are trained on billions of images from all over the world, which allows them to more accurately identify fonts, handwritten text and complex background noise compared to standard local MIUI algorithms.
Setting quality and saving formats
To get a professional result, it’s not enough to just press a button. The output settings must be configured correctly. In the Scanner application, go to settings (gear icon), where you can select your preferred saving format: JPG for images or PDF for documents.
For PDF files, compression quality settings are available. If you plan to send the document via email or instant messaging with a file size limit, select medium quality. For archival storage or printing, it is better to set the maximum resolution so that small fonts remain readable.
It is also worth paying attention to the file naming settings. By default, the system assigns names by date and time, which can be confusing if there is a large volume of documents. Change the name pattern in the settings by adding a prefix or category to make it easier to find files in Explorer.
An important aspect is the choice of color model. For black-and-white text documents, always use B/W or Document mode, which removes noise and gray backgrounds. For photographs, diplomas or color certificates, select the “Color” or “Original” mode to preserve stamps and watermarks.
⚠️ Attention: When saved in high resolution, the size of a single multi-page PDF can reach tens of megabytes. Check the available memory space before mass scanning.
☑️ Checklist before scanning
Processing and editing scanned files
After creating a digital copy, additional processing is often required. Built-in tools Xiaomi allow you to perform basic operations: rotating pages, changing the order of sheets in PDF and deleting unsuccessful duplicates. This is done in the gallery view of the Scanner application.
If more in-depth editing is required, such as adding a digital signature or filling in fields, the resulting file can be opened in third-party applications like Adobe Fill & Sign or office suites. Export is carried out through the standard “Share” menu, where you can select the desired app.
To extract text from a picture, use the function OCR (optical character recognition). In the Scanner app, tap the text icon after processing the image. The system will highlight recognized characters that you can copy and paste into notes or messages.
Don't forget about organizing your storage. Create a separate folder in the file manager MIUI/File Manager called “Scans” or “Documents”. Configure the Scanner application so that it saves files there by default, and not in the DCIM shared folder, where they will get lost among photos.
Proper organization of folders and file names will save you hours of searching for the right document in the future.
Solving common problems and errors
Sometimes users encounter the fact that the application does not see the borders of the document or saves a cloudy image. Most often, the reason lies in insufficient lighting or lack of contrast between the sheet of paper and the surface of the table. Place a white sheet of paper on a dark background for better edge detection.
Another common problem is text blurring around the edges. This occurs due to hand shake when shooting. Try to hold your phone parallel to the document and use a timer for 2-3 seconds to allow the device to stabilize before releasing the shutter.
If the app crashes when you try to save a large file, check your power saving settings. Power Saver mode may limit processor performance when processing heavy images. Disable it while using the scanner for maximum performance.
In rare cases, after updating the firmware, the scanner settings may be reset. If the quality of the pictures has deteriorated, go to the application settings and force select the “High Quality” mode or reinstall updates to the “Scanner” component through the GetApps store.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. If you do not find the described function, use the search inside the phone settings.
What to do if the scanner does not recognize the Russian language?
In the settings of the “Scanner” application, check the “Recognition languages” section. Make sure the Russian language is loaded and active. If it is not there, download the language pack via Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to scan documents without the Internet on Xiaomi?
Yes, the Scanner application and document mode in the camera work completely offline. Image processing algorithms are built into the firmware. The Internet will only be required if you use Google Lens for translation or cloud synchronization.
In what format is it better to save scans for the tax office?
It is recommended to use the format PDF. It is a standard for document management, supports multiple pages and ensures that the document will not be accidentally edited by the recipient. Make sure that the text is readable when enlarged.
Why can’t the scanner see the edge of the passport?
Passports often have a dark cover or a glossy surface, which confuses the algorithms. Try placing your passport on a white sheet of paper to create contrast, or use manual cropping mode after shooting.
Where are scanned files stored by default?
Usually files are saved in the internal memory along the path MIUI/scan or in a shared folder DCIM/Cameraif you used camera mode. The exact path can be seen in the file properties through the “Information” menu.
How to combine several photos into one PDF?
Open the “Scanner” application, select the “Document” mode and capture all the pages in turn. Before saving, click on the preview icon, select all taken pictures with check marks and click the “Save as PDF” button.