Modern smartphones have long ceased to be just devices for calls and entertainment, having turned into powerful working tools that can replace a scanner or MFP. Owners of brand devices Xiaomi often wonder how to quickly digitize a paper document, receipt or note without resorting to third-party equipment. Fortunately, the ecosystem MIUI and standard Android provide many built-in and accessible solutions for this task.
The scanning process on devices of this brand may vary depending on the firmware version and the installed shell, whether it is a global version, a Chinese build or a new one. HyperOS. Understanding where to look for the feature you need will save you time and eliminate the need to download dubious apps from unverified sources. We will look at all available methods: from a standard camera to specialized utilities.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions for each method, evaluate the quality of the resulting images and give recommendations on setting parameters for the ideal result. You will learn how to turn your phone into a pocket office without extra costs.
Using the built-in scanner in the Camera application
The fastest and most obvious way to get a digital copy of a document is to use the standard application Camera, which is preinstalled on each device Xiaomi. The developers have integrated the scanning mode directly into the shooting interface, which eliminates the need to switch between apps. However, the location of this function may vary depending on the regional firmware version.
To activate the mode, you need to open the application and find in the top menu or in the “More” section an icon resembling a document or a square with lines. In some versions of the shell this mode is called “Documents”, in others it is called “Scanner”. After selecting the mode, the camera will automatically recognize the edges of a sheet of paper on the table and offer to take a photo.
It is worth noting that automatic edge-cutting algorithms do not always work perfectly, especially if the table background has a similar color to the paper. In this case, the system may prompt you to manually adjust the selection angles before saving. This is an important step, since the readability of the final file depends on it.
⚠️ Attention: In Chinese versions of firmware (CN ROM), the built-in scanner may require logging into your Mi account or work incorrectly with the Russian language in text recognition. In such cases, it is better to use global alternatives.
For the best scanning quality through the camera, ensure that the document is evenly illuminated and avoid the appearance of shadows from your hands or the phone itself.
After capturing the image, the system will offer to apply filters such as “B&W”, “Increase Contrast” or “Magic”. Choosing the right filter is critical to making the text clear and the background white. The saved file usually ends up in the gallery in a separate “Scanners” or “Documents” album.
Scanning through the Google Drive application
If the built-in camera tools do not suit you or seem inconvenient, an excellent solution would be to use the official application Google Drive, which is installed by default on most smartphones with Google services. This method is especially convenient because the scanned document is immediately saved to cloud storage, freeing up space in the device’s internal memory.
To get started, launch the application and click on the create a new file button, usually located in the lower right corner of the screen in the form of a plus sign. In the menu that opens, select “Scan”. The interface will launch the camera in a special mode, optimized for working with text documents.
The advantage of this method is the ability to add several pages into one PDF file. After capturing the first page, you can click the add button and capture the following sheets, which will automatically be combined into a single document. This is an indispensable function when digitizing contracts or multi-page reports.
- 📄 Automatic detection of document edges with high accuracy.
- ☁️ Instant synchronization with Google account cloud storage.
- 🔍 Built-in optical character recognition (OCR) function for text search.
- ✏️ The ability to manually correct perspective and apply color filters.
Google Drive also allows you to rename files immediately after scanning and select a folder to save. This makes the process of organizing a digital archive more structured and user-friendly. In addition, such files can be accessed from any other device where you are logged into your account.
Third-party apps for professional scanning
For users who require advanced features such as batch business card scanning, spreadsheet recognition, or password protection of documents, third-party apps are an essential tool. On the platform Android there are many solutions, but the leading positions are occupied by CamScanner, Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens.
These apps use advanced image processing algorithms to remove shadows, straighten curved pages, and improve text readability even in low light. For example, Microsoft Lens integrates perfectly with the Office package, allowing you to immediately convert a photo of a table into an editable file. Excel.
Installing such software takes only a couple of minutes through the store. Google Play. After the first launch, the application will ask for permission to access the camera and storage. Most of them offer free basic functionality, which is quite enough for home and office needs, but a subscription gives access to cloud functions and watermark removal.
Why is it worth paying for a subscription in scanners?
Premium versions often offer automatic uploading to Dropbox or OneDrive, advanced export settings and priority OCR support for rare languages, which is critical for business tasks.
It is important to monitor what permissions the application issues. Some free scanners may try to access contacts or geolocations without explicit need, which is suspicious behavior. Always check reviews and ratings before installing unknown software.
Comparison of scanning methods on Xiaomi
To help you choose the best option for your tasks, we have compiled a comparison table of the main methods for digitizing documents. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, which depend on what exactly you plan to scan and how often.
| Method | Processing quality | Convenience | Additional. functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Camera | Average | High (always at hand) | Basic filters |
| Google Drive | Good | High | Cloud, PDF, OCR |
| CamScanner | Excellent | Average (installation required) | Batch scanning, sharing |
| Microsoft Lens | Excellent | Average | Conversion to Word/Excel |
As can be seen from the table, the built-in camera wins in access speed, but loses in the quality of final image processing. For one-time tasks, such as scanning a receipt for a store, the built-in tools are more than enough. However, to work with important papers, it is better to use specialized software.
The choice also depends on the memory capacity of your smartphone. Applications like CamScanner can take up significant space if you do not set up automatic cache clearing. At the same time, using cloud services via Google Drive helps save gigabytes in the internal storage.
For daily household tasks, use the built-in camera or Google Drive, and to work with large volumes of documents, install a professional application.
Setting quality and saving formats
The quality of the final document directly depends on the resolution settings and compression format. Most applications default to the JPGformat, which is good for photos, but can produce artifacts on text. For documents, it is preferable to choose a format PDFthat preserves vector clarity of borders and allows you to combine pages.
In the settings of the camera or scanner application, you can often find the “Resolution” or “Quality” parameter. Set the maximum available value if you plan to print the document or send it to official authorities. A decrease in quality is acceptable only for drafts or quick sending to instant messengers.
It is also worth paying attention to color modes. The "Original" mode will leave all the shadows and nuances of the paper, which sometimes interferes with reading. Document or B/W mode makes the background perfectly white and the text black, greatly enhancing contrast. Experiment with these settings depending on the source type.
⚠️ Attention: When scanning documents with a glossy surface (such as photographs or laminated badges), avoid using the flash as it will create a bright glare that will obscure the information.
Some advanced users prefer to adjust the DPI (dots per inch) manually. For screen viewing, 150-200 DPI is sufficient, while for printing it is recommended to set at least 300 DPI. This value can be found in the advanced settings of third-party applications.
Optical text recognition (OCR) and editing
One of the most useful features of modern mobile scanning is the technology OCR (Optical Character Recognition). It allows you to convert an image of text into an editable format that you can copy, paste into notes, or translate. On smartphones Xiaomi this feature is often built into the gallery or Scanner application.
To use this, open the scanned image in the gallery and look for the "Recognize Text" button or the "T" icon. The system will analyze the picture and highlight the detected characters. The accuracy of recognition of Russian and English languages on devices with processors Snapdragon is usually very high.
After recognition, you can copy all or part of the text, and also send it directly to a messenger or email client. This eliminates the need to retype information manually, which is especially important when working with long contracts or articles.
- 🌐 Support for multilingual recognition in one document.
- 📝 Ability to correct recognition errors directly in the interface.
- 🔗 Quick search for keywords within a scanned document PDF.
- 💾 Export recognized text to TXT or DOCX formats.
It is worth remembering that the quality of recognition of handwritten text may be lower than that of printed text. For best results, try to write legibly and use applications that specialize in handwriting if you need it regularly.
☑️ Scan quality control
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
Why does the camera not see the borders of the document automatically?
This may occur due to insufficient contrast between the document and the table surface. Try placing a different color of paper underneath the sheet or providing brighter lighting. Also check if the camera lens is dirty.
Is it possible to scan documents without the Internet on Xiaomi?
Yes, the built-in camera and most installed applications work offline. However, cloud saving and advanced text recognition (OCR) features may require a network connection to process the data on the server.
Where are scanned files stored by default?
They are usually saved in a folder DCIM/Camera or a special folder Scanner in the internal memory. If you used Google Drive, the files are located in the "Files" section within the application or on the website drive.google.com.
How can I reduce the size of a scan file for sending by mail?
When saving in PDF format, many applications offer you to select a compression level. Select the Medium or Small Size option. You can also convert a multi-page PDF to a lower resolution JPG before sending.
Is it safe to scan a passport or bank cards through third-party applications?
Use only trusted applications from well-known developers (Google, Microsoft, Adobe). Avoid little-known scanners that may transfer your personal data to third-party servers. For particularly important documents, it is preferable to use the built-in tools of the system.