How to scan a document on Android

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Scanning documents is simply a really useful accomplishment for a bunch of reasons successful 2024, some to do pinch activity and pleasure. Whether you want to nonstop documents, prevention pictures to a integer format, aliases upload files, scanning is key. 

In nan past, scanning documents was nan reserve of having a beingness scanner (or printer pinch a scanner). Nowadays, astir modern Android smartphones will person a camera powerful capable to scan a archive pinch nary different hardware. 

Of course, if you want to scan thing successful really precocious item – specified arsenic a statement for work, aliases different charismatic archive – past utilizing a printer of scanner makes sense. But for everything else, your Android smartphone will beryllium bully enough. 

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Tools and requirements

  • An Android smartphone
  • A archive to scan
  • Google Drive aliases a scanning app

Steps for really to scan a archive connected Android

  • Make judge nan archive is visible and well-lit
  • Open your scanning app
  • Line up nan archive and return nan photograph
  • Adjust nan scan (eg, cropping) and nonstop arsenic a PDF

  • The best scanning software for each types of PCs and smartphones

Step by measurement guide

1. Download Google Drive

Google Drive class characteristic leak

(Image: © TheSpAndroid)

The easiest measurement to scan a archive connected Android is utilizing 1 of Google's ain apps: Google Drive. The app comes pinch a built-in archive scanning feature, alongside galore others, and it will astir apt beryllium powerful capable to do nan job.

You tin entree nan Scanner by clicking connected nan camera icon successful nan bottom-right, and nan app should automatically observe documents.

2. Line up nan archive

Next, make judge that your archive is successful a well-lit spot and isn't covered by anything. Position nan archive wrong nan camera framework connected Google Drive. A bluish statement will outline nan archive connected nan app erstwhile it is successful focus.

3. Take nan scan and set nan settings

Take a image of nan archive successful Google Drive and nan AI should get to activity decoding nan letters and symbols connected nan page.

Once you're happy that nan archive has lined up well, you tin set settings for illustration nan colour (including an greyscale option), harvest and rotate nan image, and moreover erase stains and fingerprint smudges.

4. Save and export nan record

Once you're happy pinch nan scan, click Done and you'll beryllium asked to prevention nan scanned archive successful a circumstantial format, for illustration a PDF aliases JPG. Once you've picked a format and a name, simply prevention nan archive to your desired location.

Since you're utilizing Google Drive, nan archive will past beryllium disposable successful nan unreality and to stock pinch your contacts via email and different messaging apps.

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FAQs connected really to scan a archive connected Android

Do I person to usage Google Drive?

No! There are plentifulness of different apps disposable for Android that tin thief pinch scanning a document, including Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens, to sanction conscionable two. Both of those are free, too. Using nan Google-made app mightiness activity champion if you're locked into nan Google ecosystem (such arsenic by utilizing Gmail), but different spell chaotic trying retired third-party scanning apps.

We person a full article looking astatine nan best archive scanning apps pinch thoughts connected each of nan champion options, truthful make judge to cheque that out.

How tin I return nan champion imaginable scans?

As pinch immoderate picture, you request to make judge location is simply a bully level of ray (while avoiding excess glare) and that nan archive successful mobility is free from marks and smudges that mightiness confuse nan scanning app.

Ensure nan aboveground is level and your archive lines up pinch nan grid lines connected nan app, and set nan attraction to support your archive looking clear and crisp.

What astir sharing files?

Every scanning app you usage – whether it's Google Drive, Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, aliases immoderate different app – will person plentifulness of built-in options to stock nan document, since that is nan main constituent of scanning something.

After you've taken your scan and you're happy pinch it, nan apps will connection a measurement to stock via email, different messaging apps, and truthful on. With Google Drive, you tin besides stock nan URL of nan image itself to others.

Do I request a standalone scanner?

The reply really depends connected what benignant of archive you're scanning. For example, getting precocious value copies of photos – particularly those taken connected movie cameras – will astir apt request a standalone scanner, aliases 1 built into a printer. The aforesaid goes for ineligible and different important documents.

For everything else, your Android smartphone will person a precocious value camera that, pinch nan correct lighting, will beryllium capable to do nan occupation good enough. If successful doubt, effort and usage a printer scanner, though.

  • The best photograph scanner connected nan market

Final thoughts

We dream this guideline to scanning documents connected Android utilizing Google Drive's built-in archive scanning package has been adjuvant and covered nan main things you request to deliberation of and do. 

Being capable to stock beingness documents easy via integer mediums is simply a really adjuvant accomplishment successful some individual and master contexts. Thank you for reading. 

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Max Slater-Robins has been penning astir exertion for astir a decade astatine various outlets, covering nan emergence of nan exertion giants, trends successful endeavor and SaaS companies, and overmuch much besides. Originally from Suffolk, he presently lives successful London and likes a bully nighttime retired and walks successful nan countryside.

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