How to Scan a Document on an Android Device

1. Scan a Document Using the Device Camera

If you prefer to keep things simple, you can use your Android device's built-in camera to scan documents:

1. Open the Camera App: Launch the Camera app on your Android device.
2. Position the Document: Place the document on a flat, well-lit surface and position your camera over it.
3. Capture the Image: Focus the camera on the document and tap the shutter button to capture the image.
4. Edit and Save: After capturing the image, you can crop or adjust the image if needed. Save it to your gallery.

2. Scan a Document Using Google Drive

Google Drive offers a convenient way to scan documents directly into your cloud storage, making it easily accessible from any device. The process is quite simple and besides, you probably don’t have to install anything since most devices come with it.

To scan a document using Google Drive:

1. Open Google Drive: Launch the Google Drive app on your Android device.
2. Tap the "+" Button: In the bottom right corner, tap the "+" button to open the options menu.
3. Select "Scan": Choose the "Scan" option, which will open your camera.
4. Capture the Document: Position the document within the frame and capture the image. You can adjust the corners and retake the image if necessary.
5. Save to Google Drive: After scanning, tap "Save." You can rename the file and choose the folder where you want to store it.

Once you have scanned the image, you can also:

• Alter the crop distortion
• Add more pages to the newly scanned document
• Recapture any of these pages
• Delete, rotate or rename the scan
• Change paper size, image quality and orientation

3. Scan a Document Using Adobe Scan

Adobe Scan is a powerful app available for both Android and iOS that automatically detects document edges and enhances the scan for clarity. Its advantages include:

• Working with Adobe Acrobat app for filling up and signing forms
• OCR which turns scanned documents into searchable text
• Working with images and photos on your device

To scan a document with Adobe Scan:

1. Download and Open Adobe Scan: If you haven't already, download Adobe Scan from the Google Play Store. Open the app once installed.
2. Sign In or Continue as Guest: You can sign in with your Adobe account or continue as a guest.
3. Position the Document: The app will automatically detect the document edges and highlight them in blue.
4. Capture the Document: Once the edges are detected, the app will automatically capture the image, or you can tap the shutter button.
5. Edit and Save: After scanning, you can crop, rotate, and adjust the colors. Save the document as a PDF to your device or Adobe Cloud.

4. Scan a Document Using Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft Office Lens is another versatile app available for both Android and iOS, which integrates well with Microsoft Office and OneDrive.

1. Download and Open Office Lens: Install Microsoft Office Lens from the Google Play Store and open the app.
2. Choose a Mode: Select the "Document" mode to optimize the scan for text clarity.
3. Position the Document: Align the document within the on-screen frame. The app will detect the edges and may capture the image automatically.
4. Review and Adjust: After capturing, you can adjust the corners, crop the image, or add filters.
5. Save or Share: Save the document to your gallery, OneDrive, or export it as a PDF. You can also share it directly via email or other apps.

5. Scan a Document Using Google Stack

Google Stack is an AI-driven app designed to organize your scanned documents and automatically categorize them.

1. Download and Open Google Stack: Install Google Stack from the Google Play Store and launch the app.
2. To scan a paper document, select Camera.
3. Tap Allow to give Stack access to your camera.
4. Capture the Document: Align the document and tap the shutter button to capture the image.
5. After scanning your image, Select Add to include more pages.
6. Use the Crop & Rotate and the Adjust Color options to set up your document.
7. Organize and Save: Google Stack will automatically categorize the document based on its content. You can rename it, select the category, and save it to Google Drive.

6. Scan a Document Using PDF Translator Pro's mobile app

PDF Translator Pro's mobile app is another easy way to scan your documents that is available for both Android and iOS. The app is available in both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Besides scanning your document, it offers direct translation of your newly generated PDF file.

1. Download and Open PDF Translator Pro.
2. Select the Scanner option. Your phone camera will turn on.
3. Place your document inside the designated area.
4. You can turn the flashlight on for better lighting (available for iOS).
5. Tap the "Tap to scan" button: you have the option to use this scan or rescan.
6. Give your new scanned document a name.
7. Optional: Tap "Add Page" to scan another page and add it to your document.
8. When you have finished adding pages, tap the "Create PDF" button.

A step-by-step guide on how to translate your PDF file with PDF Translator Pro in both web, iOS and Android is available in this article.

Wrapping Up

These methods offer a range of options for scanning documents on your Android device. Each of these apps provides unique features tailored to different needs. Notably, Google Drive, Adobe Scan, Microsoft Office Lens, and PDF Translator Pro are also available on iOS, making them versatile tools across platforms. In addition to these, numerous other scanning apps are available in the Google Play Store, catering to different preferences and functionalities.

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