How to Scan on Android

Scanning documents on an Android device can be incredibly useful, especially when you need to save paper documents digitally for easy access and organization. With the help of your phone’s camera and a few helpful apps, you can scan and store documents from your Android phone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to scan documents on Android, covering various quick and easy methods.

Steps to Scan Documents on Android

1. Using the Google Drive App

One of the easiest ways to scan a document on Android is with the Google Drive app, which often comes pre-installed on Android phones. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open the Google Drive App: Open the app on your Android phone. You can download it from the Google Play Store if you don’t have it.
2. Tap on the “+” Icon: In the bottom right corner, tap the “+” icon to create a new item.
3. Select “Scan”: Choose the “Scan” option to activate your phone’s camera.
4. Position Your Document: Place the document you want to scan on a flat surface, ensuring it’s well-lit for better image quality.
5. Capture the Document: Align the document within the camera view, and press the shutter button to take a photo.
6. Adjust the Corners: Google Drive will automatically detect and crop the scan area, but you can adjust the corners manually if needed to ensure the entire document is captured.
7. Save as PDF: After you’ve scanned the document, tap “Save” to save it as a PDF file in your Google Drive. You can rename the file or place it in a specific folder for easy access later.

2. Using the Camera App (Basic Method)

If you prefer to keep it simple, you can use the basic camera app to scan documents by taking a photo of the document and saving it as an image.

1. Open Your Camera App: Open the camera app on your Android device.
2. Align the Document: Position the document within the camera frame, ensuring good lighting for clarity.
3. Take a Photo: Press the shutter button to take a photo. You now have a basic scan saved to your camera roll, though it may need cropping.
4. Edit and Crop: Open the photo in your gallery, tap “Edit,” and crop the photo to focus on the document.
5. Save: Save your edited scan, and you’re done!

3. Using Adobe Scan

It is a free app that provides advanced document scanning with Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which can convert your scans into editable text. Here’s how to use it:

1. Install Adobe Scan: Download the app from the Google Play Store and open the app.
2. Start Scanning: Follow the on-screen instructions to start scanning documents. Adobe Scan will auto-detect the edges and crop the document for you.
3. Review the Scan: You can add multiple pages, adjust the document type, and enhance the quality if needed.
4. Save to Cloud Storage: Once done, you can save the scanned document as a PDF file directly to Adobe Cloud or other storage apps like Google Drive.

4. Using Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft Office Lens is another great app for document scanning, especially useful for users of Microsoft’s productivity suite.

1. Install Microsoft Lens: Download and open Microsoft Office Lens from the Google Play Store.
2. Select Document Mode: Open the app and select “Document” mode, optimized for document scanning.
3. Capture the Document: Frame the document within the camera view. Microsoft Lens will automatically detect and crop the scan area.
4. Save Options: You can save the scanned document as a PDF or in other Microsoft formats like Word or PowerPoint for easy sharing or editing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the best app for scanning documents on Android?
A: Google Drive, Adobe Scan, and Microsoft Office Lens are all excellent options. Google Drive is simple and integrates with your Google account, while Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens offer additional features like OCR and advanced editing.

Q2: Can I scan multiple pages at once?
A: Yes! Most scanning applications, like Google Drive and Adobe Scan, can scan additional pages within a single document. After scanning the first page, look for an “Add” option to include more pages.

Q3: What file formats can I save my scans in?
A: Scanned documents are usually saved as PDF files, but some applicants, like Microsoft Office Lens, also allow saving in other formats, such as Word and PowerPoint.

Q4: How can I improve the quality of my scanned documents?
A: For the best image quality, ensure good lighting and keep your phone steady when taking a photo of the document. Apps with auto-capture and automatic crop features can help achieve a cleaner, professional-looking scan.

Q5: Can I edit the text in scanned documents?
A: Yes, with OCR apps, like Adobe Scan and Microsoft Lens, you can convert scanned text into editable text. This feature is handy for making quick edits to paper documents.

Q6: Is there a way to organize my scans?
A: Most apps allow you to name your files and choose a folder to save them. Google Drive, for instance, enables you to organize scanned documents in specific folders within your Drive for quick access.