How to Use Your Phone as a Scanner

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

ScannerSmartphoneDocument ManagementMobile AppsAndroidiPhoneProductivityOffice ToolsConnectivityData Management

Scanning documents is a common need in both personal and business situations. Having a good scanner can be very helpful, but not everyone has one. Fortunately, modern smartphones have advanced cameras and software applications that can turn them into very capable scanners. In this guide, we will explore how you can use your smartphone as a scanner, the various apps available for this purpose, and how to get the best results.

Why use your phone as a scanner?

There are several reasons why using your phone as a scanner is beneficial:

• Convenience: The phone is always with you, allowing you to quickly scan documents no matter where you are.
• Cost-effective: You don’t need to buy a separate scanner device; you can use the hardware you already have.
• Portability: Your phone is portable, so you can scan documents on the go.
• Integrations: Scanned documents can be easily shared or stored on cloud services right from your phone.

Choosing a scanning app

Many apps can turn your smartphone into a scanner. Here are some popular options:

• Adobe Scan: A comprehensive app that offers features like text recognition and integrates with Adobe tools.
• CamScanner: Offers a variety of editing tools and cloud storage options.
• Microsoft Office Lens: Great for scanning text documents, whiteboards, and integration with Microsoft Office.
• Google Drive: It has a built-in scanning feature that saves scanned documents directly to your Google Drive account.

Let's look at the uses of some of these apps in more detail.

Using Adobe Scan

Adobe Scan is a feature-rich app that is available on both iOS and Android. Here's how to use Adobe Scan:

1. Download and install: Go to your phone's app store and search for "Adobe Scan." Download and install the app.
2. Open the app: Launch the app after installation.
3. Sign in: You'll need an Adobe account to use the app. If you don't have one, you can create one for free.
4. Scan your document:
   • Tap the camera button to start scanning.
   • Align the document within the frame. The app will automatically detect the edges.
   • The app will take the picture and process it. You can adjust or crop the edges if necessary.
   • Save the scanned document with your chosen name.
5. Share or save: Once the document is scanned, you can share it via email or save it to cloud storage like Google Drive or Adobe Document Cloud.

Using CamScanner

CamScanner is another powerful app that is available on both iOS and Android. How to use CamScanner:

1. Download and install: Search for “CamScanner” in your app store and install it.
2. Open the app: Launch the app.
3. Sign in or quit: You can use the app without signing in, but creating an account makes more features available.
4. Scan your document:
   • Tap on the camera icon to start scanning.
   • Place your document on a flat surface and place your phone on top of it.
   • The app will automatically detect the edges of the document.
   • Take a picture and make adjustments to it, such as cropping or rotation, if necessary.
   • Save the scanned document.
5. Share or save: After you scan, you can email the document, save it to cloud storage, or create a shareable link.

Using Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft Office Lens is designed specifically for business use and integrates well with the Microsoft Office suite. Here's how to use it:

1. Download and install: Find “Microsoft Office Lens” in your app store and install it.
2. Open the app: Launch the app.
3. Sign in: Use your Microsoft account to sign in. If you don’t have an account, you can create one.
4. Scan your document:
   • Select the type of document you want to scan, such as "Document," "Whiteboard," or "Business Card."
   • Place the phone over your document. The app will automatically detect edges and adjust for skew.
   • Take a picture and review the scan. Edit by cropping or rotating if necessary.
   • Save the document to OneNote, OneDrive, or your device.
5. Share or save: You can share the scanned document via email or upload it directly to cloud services.

Tips for a good scan

Here are some tips for getting the best results when using your phone as a scanner:

• Good lighting: Make sure the document has enough light to avoid shadows and improve image quality.
• Stable surface: Place the document on a flat and stable surface to get a clear scan.
• Hold steady: Keep your phone steady while scanning to avoid blurry images.
• Background: Use a contrasting background to help the application recognize the edges of the document more easily.

Editing and organizing scanned documents

After scanning, you may want to make some edits or organize your documents. Here are some steps to follow:

• Cropping and adjustments: Most scanning apps allow you to crop or adjust a scanned document. Use these features to ensure the document looks neat and is easy to read.
• Renaming files: Give your scanned documents clear and descriptive names to make them easier to find later.
• Organize: Use folders or tags in your scanning app or cloud storage to keep your documents organized.
• OCR (Optical Character Recognition): Some apps like Adobe Scan offer OCR which converts scanned text into editable text. This is useful for creating digital copies of printed documents.

Storing and sharing scanned documents

Once you've scanned and edited your documents, you may want to store them securely or share them with others:

• Cloud storage: Use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to securely store your documents and access them from any device.
• Email: Most scanning apps offer the option to share your scans via email directly from the app.
• Sharing links: Some apps allow you to create shareable links that you can send to collaborators. This is useful for large files or if multiple people need access.

Security and privacy

When scanning sensitive documents, security and privacy are important considerations. Here are some tips to ensure your documents stay safe:

• Trusted apps: Use reputable and trusted scanning apps to minimize security risks.
• Secure storage: Store sensitive documents in encrypted or secure cloud storage services.
• Permissions: Review app permissions and be cautious about granting unnecessary access to your phone's data.

Conclusion

Using your phone as a scanner is a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient way to meet your document scanning needs. With the right app and a few simple tips, you can quickly scan, edit, store, and share documents directly from your smartphone. Whether you're scanning for personal use, business, or educational purposes, your phone's scanning capabilities can save you time and effort.

  Share This Article

If you find anything wrong with the article content, you can request an update