How to Scan Documents with Your Phone’s Camera

With working from home becoming the norm for many people, you’ll often find yourself sending paper documents via email. Instead of using a traditional scanner, you can get scanner-like results using your smartphone.

Simply taking a photo is one option, but better results can be achieved by using digital scanner apps or specific features of some camera apps found on the best Android phones or best iPhones.

This guide will walk you through the process of scanning documents using your phone’s camera, offering tips and introducing various apps to get the best results.

Tips for Taking Better Document Photos

Before we get to the apps themselves, here are some tips for getting the best quality: You don’t want slanted text or shadows that make them hard to read.

For lighting, use natural light by placing the document near a window or in a well-lit area. Make sure that no shadows are cast on the document by your hands or nearby objects, and avoid bright lighting or direct sunlight, which can cause glare.

When positioning the document, place it on a flat surface to avoid any bends or creases. Hold your phone directly above the document, making sure it is parallel to the surface to avoid distortion. Make sure the entire document fits within the frame, with room around the edges for cropping.

For added stability and focus, let your camera autofocus on the document before taking the photo. Use both hands to hold your phone steady or rest your elbows on a stable surface.

Scan Documents with Google Drive

You may not know this, but Google Drive has a built-in scan feature that lets you scan documents, old photos, and other printed materials. To use it, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Google Drive app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Tap the “+” button in the lower right corner and select “Scan”.
3. Position your phone over the document and press the shutter button to capture the image.
4. Adjust the corners to fit the document and tap “Done.”
5. Name your document and select where you want to save it. Press “Save”.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

The newly scanned image will then be saved as a PDF in your Google Drive folder, allowing you to share it via email or any other messaging app.

Scan Documents on iPhone with Notes App

Just like Google Drive, Apple’s Notes app also has a free built-in scanner that lets you scan your documents. Follow these steps:

1. Launch the Notes app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “New Note” icon and tap the camera icon in the toolbar.
3. Select “Scan Documents”. Then, position your phone over the document and the app will automatically capture it.
4. Adjust the scan by dragging the corners, if necessary.
5. Press “Keep Scan” for each page you scan.
6. Once finished, press “Save” to add the scanned document to your note.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

You can now share the scanned document or export it to PDF directly from the Notes app.

Scan documents with other applications

If the above methods don’t work for you, perhaps because you need a specific feature that they don’t offer, there are plenty of alternatives. If you have a Microsoft 365 account, Microsoft Office Lens – PDF Scanner is a great option, but you should also check out SwiftScan, Genius Scan, and Simple Scan, as well as the many others available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

FP Scanner-PDF&Image to Text is a completely free tool, with no limits and no ads. Unfortunately, it is only available for iOS, but it offers different modes that allow you to “scan” multiple pages of a book or document and share them as PDFs, as well as the ability to convert characters to editable text. However, as mentioned at the beginning, this is somewhat redundant if you have at least iOS 15.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Scanning documents with your phone’s camera is a convenient and efficient way to digitize your documents. Whether you use built-in features like Google Drive and the Notes app or opt for specialized third-party apps, you can manage your documents digitally, right from your phone.