The basic steps for scanning with your phone

You can scan a document using your phone's camera and a scanning app. The process takes about two minutes: open the app, position your phone over the document, tap to capture, and save the file. Most phones come with a built-in scanner in the Notes app (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android), so you may not need to download anything.

The key difference from taking a photo is that a scanning app automatically crops the document edges, removes shadows, and converts the image to black and white or color depending on what you need. This makes the scanned file look like it came from a flatbed scanner, not a phone camera.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone's Notes app and Android's Google Drive both have free built-in scanners that work without downloading a separate app.
  • Position your phone 6 to 12 inches above the document at a slight angle, and the app will automatically detect and crop the edges.
  • Scanning apps save files as PDF, which most organizations and services accept for documents like receipts, contracts, and ID cards.
  • If you need to scan multiple pages into one file, use the multi-page feature in your scanning app rather than taking separate photos.

Using the built-in scanner on iPhone

Open the Notes app and start a new note or open an existing one. Tap the camera icon at the bottom of the screen, then select "Scan Documents." Position your phone 6 to 12 inches above the document and hold it steady. The app will automatically detect the document edges and capture the image when it has a clear view.

After the scan appears on screen, you can adjust the corners if the crop is off, change the filter (color, grayscale, or black and white), or retake the scan. Tap "Save" to add it to your note. To save the scan as a separate PDF file, tap and hold the scan in your note, then select "Save to Files" and choose where to store it.

If you need to scan multiple pages, tap the plus icon after your first scan to add another page to the same document. All pages will be saved together as one PDF file.

Using the built-in scanner on Android

Open Google Drive and tap the plus icon to create a new item. Select "Scan" from the menu. Position your phone over the document the same way you would on iPhone — about 6 to 12 inches away at a slight angle. Google Drive will automatically detect and capture the document when it has a clear view.

After the scan, you can adjust the corners, rotate the image, or change the color mode. Tap the checkmark to save. Google Drive automatically saves the scan as a PDF and stores it in your Drive account, where you can access it from any device. You can also rename the file or move it to a folder.

To scan multiple pages into one document, tap the plus icon after your first scan to add another page. All pages will be combined into a single PDF file.

Third-party scanning apps and when to use them

Apps like Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, and Scanbot offer features beyond what the built-in scanners provide. Adobe Scan can recognize text in your scans and make it searchable, Microsoft Lens integrates with OneDrive and Outlook, and Scanbot lets you organize scans into folders and add tags. These apps are free to download, though some features require a paid subscription.

You do not need a third-party app for basic scanning. Use the built-in option if you are scanning a document once or twice and just need a PDF file. Download a third-party app if you scan documents regularly, need to organize many scans, or want to search for text within your scanned files.

How to get a clear, readable scan

Lighting matters more than camera quality. Scan in natural light or under a bright lamp, and position the light so it does not create a glare on the document. Avoid scanning under overhead lights alone, which often create shadows. If the document has text on both sides, scan each side separately.

Hold your phone as steady as possible — resting your arm on a table or propping the phone on something stable helps. The app needs a clear, straight view of the document to detect the edges correctly. If the scan comes out crooked or with cut-off edges, retake it rather than trying to fix it in the app.

For documents with small text, move your phone closer (but not so close that the app cannot detect the full document). For large documents like posters, step back further. Most scanning apps work best when the document fills most of the phone screen.

Saving and sharing your scanned files

Built-in scanners save files as PDF by default, which works with almost every service and organization. PDFs preserve the layout and formatting of the original document and are smaller in file size than photos. You can email a PDF, upload it to a website, or store it in cloud storage like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox.

If you need to convert a PDF to another format, most cloud storage services and document apps can do this. Google Drive, for example, lets you right-click a PDF and select "Open with" to convert it to a Google Doc, which you can then download as a Word file or other format. For most purposes, though, PDF is the format to use.

If you are sharing a scan with a business or government office, ask them what format they need before you scan. Most accept PDF, but some older systems may request a JPEG image file instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan a document that is larger than my phone screen?

Yes. Position your phone to capture one section of the document, then scan it. Repeat for each section. You will end up with multiple PDF files, one for each section. Some scanning apps have a "stitch" or "combine" feature that can merge these sections into one document, though the results vary depending on how much the sections overlap.

What if my scan comes out blurry or crooked?

Retake the scan. Make sure you have good lighting, hold your phone steady, and position it directly above the document rather than at a sharp angle. If the app is not detecting the document edges correctly, try moving your phone slightly or adjusting the lighting. Most scanning apps let you retake a scan without saving the blurry version.

Can I scan a handwritten document or a photo?

Yes, scanning apps work with any flat document, including handwritten notes, printed photos, and receipts. The process is the same as scanning a printed document. The scan will look clearer and more professional than a phone photo, even though you are using your phone's camera.

Do I need to pay for a scanning app?

No. iPhone's Notes app and Android's Google Drive both have free scanners built in. Third-party apps like Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens are also free to download and use for basic scanning. Some offer paid subscriptions for extra features like unlimited cloud storage or advanced text recognition, but you do not need to pay to scan documents.

Where does my scanned file go after I save it?

Built-in scanners save files to your phone by default — in Notes on iPhone or Google Drive on Android. You can move the file to another location afterward, or change the save location in the app settings before you scan. Third-party apps usually let you choose where to save during the scan process.