How to Use S Pen or Stylus for Note-Taking on Xiaomi Pad
Xiaomi tablets support active stylus input — ideal for students who prefer handwriting notes digitally. Here's everything you need to know.
Which Xiaomi Tablets Support a Stylus?
| Model | Compatible Stylus |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi Pad 6 / 6 Pro | Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 / 7 Pro | Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) |
| Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra | Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) |
| Redmi Pad Pro | Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) |
| POCO Pad | Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) |
The Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd Gen) supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and charges magnetically on the side of the tablet.
Set Up the Xiaomi Smart Pen
- Attach the Smart Pen to the magnetic charging rail on the side of the Xiaomi Pad.
- It pairs automatically via Bluetooth.
- Confirm in Settings → Bluetooth → Xiaomi Smart Pen → Connected.
- Pen charges wirelessly on the magnetic strip — check battery level in Settings.
Xiaomi Notes App (Built-In)
Xiaomi Notes is optimized for stylus input:
1. Open Notes app (pre-installed on Xiaomi Pad).
2. Tap + → Handwritten note.
3. Start writing with the Smart Pen.
4. Tools available:
- Pen / Pencil / Marker / Calligraphy styles.
- Eraser (tap the top button on Smart Pen).
- Ruler for straight lines.
- Lasso select to move/resize handwriting.
- Convert handwriting to text: Tools → Recognize text.
Recommended Third-Party Apps
| App | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GoodNotes 5 | Students, organized notebooks | Paid ($7.99) |
| Noteshelf | Handwriting + PDF annotation | Paid |
| Squid | Lecture notes + whiteboard | Free (basic) |
| Concepts | Sketching, diagrams, mind maps | Free (basic) |
| OneNote | Syncs to Microsoft 365, cloud | Free |
Tips for Better Handwriting
- Matte screen protector — reduces slip, feels like paper.
- Palm rejection: Activates automatically when Smart Pen is connected.
- Tilt input supported — tilt pen for shading/broader strokes.
- Double-tap the Smart Pen button to toggle pen/eraser (configure in Settings → Smart Pen).
Pro Tips
- Smart Pen reaches 100% charge in ~2 minutes on the magnetic rail.
- For PDF annotation: import lecture slides into Adobe Acrobat or Xodo → annotate directly with the stylus.
- Export notes as PDF from Xiaomi Notes for easy classmate sharing.
💡 Dr.Fone Tip: For students managing large volumes of study materials across devices, Dr.Fone – Phone Manager can help transfer Xiaomi Pad notes, PDFs, and files to PC for organized archiving.
