How to Scan Documents on Android

While not a replacement for a dedicated scanner, your Android phone can help if you’re in a bind.

Picture this: It's late at night, and you suddenly realize you need to scan an important document. Perhaps you need to scan your ID for some legal forms, or send tax documents over to your accountant. While it's not a replacement for a dedicated scanner, learning how to scan documents on Android can help in situations like these.

The world's most popular mobile OS has both built-in features and third-party apps for quick and effective scanning, and most of them save straight to a PDF you can share in seconds. The exact method depends on the model of your phone, but we've outlined the broad strokes below.

Got something else that needs scanning? Check out our comprehensive guide, "How to Scan Just About Anything."

Step 1: Open Your Camera App

Many Android phones, including Samsung's Galaxy line, can scan a document straight from the built-in camera app, with no extra download required. To figure out how to scan documents on Android, the first thing you'll want to do is experiment with your smartphone's camera.

Some Android phones, such as Samsung's Galaxy line, have a scanning option built into the camera app. Simply open up the camera app and position the document you want to scan in view. Your Android phone can automatically detect the item that needs to be scanned.

Here is the quick version:

• Open the camera app and point it at the document on a flat surface.
• Wait for the phone to detect the page, then tap the on-screen scan prompt.
• Review the highlighted capture and adjust the corners if needed.
• Save the scan, then share it or convert it to a PDF.

Once your phone has detected the document, tap the scan prompt. In a few moments, you'll see your scanned document highlighted on the screen. From there, you can make any necessary adjustments. Just make sure the entire document is in the frame before you hit "scan," otherwise your phone may have trouble detecting it.

Bear in mind that most Android phones don't have innate scanning features in the camera app. However, you can still scan documents with other preinstalled software. Continue on to Step 2 to learn how to leverage Google Drive for quick, clean scans.

If you are able to complete Step 1, then you can move on to Step 3.

Step 2: Use Google Drive (or Another App)

Google Drive comes preinstalled on most Android phones and scans documents straight to a searchable PDF for free. If your camera doesn't have built-in scanning capabilities, you still have options. Because the Android operating system is owned by the tech giant Google, Google Drive is an alternative choice if you need to scan in a pinch.

1. Open the Google Drive app and tap the Camera icon, or tap "Add" in the bottom right corner and choose "Scan."
2. Point your phone at the document and take a photo. A blue outline shows where the page will be cropped.
3. Fine-tune the result with Crop & Rotate, Filter, or Clean, and add more pages if you need them.
4. Tap "Done," choose the .pdf format, and tap "Save."

From there, you can adjust the scan area, scan another page, or take the photo again if you weren't satisfied with the first result. One thing to note about Google Drive scanning is that the feature set is limited, so there's not much room for custom editing. It's a simple solution for impromptu scanning, but not as convenient for frequent use. If you prefer another built-in Google option, Files by Google also scans documents and saves them as searchable PDFs.

While Google Drive is arguably the simplest way to scan files on most Android phones, it's not the only app out there. Some of the best scanner apps for Android include Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and Genius Scan. If you're interested in how to scan documents on Android, it's worth trying out a few different apps to see which one you like best.

Step 3: Transfer Your Scanned Files

After scanning, your next step will depend on which method you used. If you used your camera app, you'll find your document in your saved files. From there, tap the Share icon to send the file via email or Messenger. If you used Google Drive, simply sign into your Drive from any computer or mobile device.

You can also send files from your Drive or download a copy onto your computer's hard drive. Once your scan is saved as a PDF, you can email it, send it through a messaging app, or open it from the cloud on any device.

Get a Clean, High-Quality Scan

A few simple habits make a phone scan look nearly as sharp as one from a desktop scanner. The camera does the capturing, but your setup decides how readable the result will be.

• Light it evenly. Bright, even light with no harsh shadows or glare helps the app find the page edges and keeps text crisp.
• Use a flat, contrasting surface. A dark tabletop under a white page makes it easy for the app to detect the borders and crop accurately.
• Hold the phone parallel and steady. Keeping the camera flat above the page and steadying your hands reduces blur and skew.
• Finish in the app. Use the crop, rotate, and filter tools to straighten the page and boost contrast before you save.

These same habits carry over to other devices, so if you also are using an Apple phone, our guide to scanning documents on an iPhone walks through the equivalent steps.

Why Scan on Android?

Knowing how to scan on Android is a good skill to have, but why scan on Android in the first place? The answer is “convenience.” While Android phones can’t scan documents as quickly or as accurately as a regular scanner, a smartphone is a tool you can carry with you anywhere.

You can use Android to scan documents at a restaurant, on a train, in your hotel room, at home or anywhere else you have cell service. If you need to scan and transmit an important document after-hours, on the weekend, or while you’re out and about, you can use an Android phone to do so.

Do I Still Need a Dedicated Scanner?

In our experience, once scanning becomes a regular part of your week, a desktop scanner tends to save real time. Using your Android phone for quick scanning tasks is convenient, but it's not a long-term solution. If you find yourself frequently in need of a scanning solution, you'll want the quality and speed of a desktop scanner.

This is especially true if you work from home and often need to scan professional documents. Dedicated scanners offer more features including optical character recognition, auto-cropping, color depth, file size, image quality and speed. They're also better equipped to handle larger batches of documents or post scan editing.

Our Recommendation: ScanSnap iX2500

Even once you know how to scan on Android, you may still need a traditional scanner. We know you have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a home document scanner. We pride ourselves on having spent the last 50+ years designing and developing some of the most beloved electronics in the world, including our line of award-winning, easy to use, one touch ScanSnap scanners.

The ScanSnap iX2500 builds upon our flagship ScanSnap series and adds more speed and more intuitive controls. The 5-inch touchscreen should feel familiar to anyone who has used a smartphone, and speedy scans of up to 45 pages per minute at 300dpi quality make the iX2500 ideal for professional use. Naturally, it's equipped with Wi-Fi to make sharing and transferring files a snap, and you can upload to the cloud straight from the scanner.

Shop the full line of ScanSnap scanners.

Note: Information and external links are provided for your convenience and for educational purposes only, and shall not be construed, or relied upon, as legal or financial advice. PFU America, Inc. makes no representations about the contents, features, or specifications on such third-party sites, software, and/or offerings (collectively “Third-Party Offerings”) and shall not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of such Third-Party Offerings. Please consult with a licensed professional regarding your specific situation as regulations may be subject to change.