How to Scan a Document With Your Phone
Use your phone camera and a built in scanner to turn a paper document into a digital PDF file.
Steps
- 1
Open the Notes app
on iPhone or the Google Drive app on Android. Both have a built in document scanner.
- 2
Tap the camera icon
or the plus button and select "Scan Documents." Your camera viewfinder opens automatically.
- 3
Hold your phone over the document
so it fills the frame. The app auto detects the edges and captures the scan.
- 4
Tap Keep Scan
to save that page or tap Continue Scanning to add more pages to the same document.
- 5
Tap Save
when you are done. The document is saved as a PDF that you can email, print, or share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I scan multiple pages into one document?Show
Yes, tap "Continue Scanning" after each page to add them all to a single PDF file before tapping Save.
Do I need a special app to scan documents?Show
Most phones come with a built in scanner in the Notes app or Google Drive. No extra app is needed.
Can I scan a document without WiFi?Show
Yes, the scan saves directly to your phone storage and does not need an internet connection to work.
How do I email a scanned document?Show
Open the saved PDF, tap the share icon, and choose your email app to send it as an attachment.
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Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .