4 apps to scan documents (iPhone and Android)

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Today, scanning documents with your phone has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and accessibility. Here are some of the benefits of scanning documents with your phone:

Easy and Convenient: With a scanning app on your phone, you can quickly and easily scan documents anytime, anywhere. You don’t need to carry around a bulky scanner or wait until you have access to one to scan a document.
Saves Time: Scanning documents with your phone can save you time, as you don’t need to manually enter information from a hard copy document into a digital format. It’s also faster than traditional scanning methods, as you can scan and save documents in just a few seconds.
Saves Space: By scanning your documents and saving them digitally, you can free up physical space in your home or office. You can also easily access your documents from your phone or computer, which means you don’t need to store physical copies.
Increases Productivity: Scanning documents with your phone can increase productivity by allowing you to quickly and easily share documents with others. You can also search for specific documents using keywords or tags, which can save you time when looking for a specific document.
Improves Accuracy: Scanning documents with your phone can improve accuracy, as many scanning apps include features such as automatic edge detection and image enhancement. This can ensure that your scanned documents are clear and legible.

Overall, scanning documents with your phone is a convenient, efficient, and effective way to digitize your documents and improve your workflow.

There are many apps available on both iPhone and Android that can scan documents using the camera on your phone. Here are some popular options:

Adobe Scan (iPhone and Android) – This app allows you to scan documents and save them as PDFs, and it can also automatically detect borders and correct perspective.
CamScanner (iPhone and Android) – CamScanner can scan documents and save them as PDF or JPEG files, and it also includes features such as image enhancement and OCR (optical character recognition) for converting scanned text to editable text.
Microsoft Office Lens (iPhone and Android) – This app can scan documents and save them as PDF, Word, or PowerPoint files, and it also includes features such as automatic cropping and image cleanup.
Google Drive (iPhone and Android) – Google Drive includes a built-in scanning feature that allows you to scan documents and save them as PDFs, and it also integrates with other Google apps such as Google Docs and Gmail.
Scanner Pro (iPhone only) – This app allows you to scan documents and save them as PDFs or JPEGs, and it includes features such as automatic cropping and image enhancement.
Scanbot (iPhone and Android) – Scanbot can scan documents and save them as PDFs, and it includes features such as automatic edge detection and color correction.

These are just a few examples of the many scanning apps available for iPhone and Android. It’s worth trying out a few different options to see which one works best for your needs.

Pervasiveness of paper documents

Despite the increasing use of digital technologies, paper documents are still pervasive in many aspects of daily life and business operations. Here are some reasons why paper documents continue to be used:

Legal Requirements: Many legal documents still require a physical signature or need to be submitted in paper form, such as contracts, deeds, and certain government forms.
Tradition and familiarity: Paper documents have been used for centuries and people are used to the physicality and tangibility of paper. Many people find it easier to read, annotate, and retain information on paper than on a screen.
Lack of technological infrastructure: Not everyone has access to digital technology, such as computers or smartphones, and some organizations may not have the resources to invest in digital solutions.
Security and privacy concerns: Some people may feel more comfortable with the security and privacy of physical documents, as they are not susceptible to hacking or data breaches.
Backup and redundancy: Some people prefer to have a physical backup of important documents in case of a digital system failure or outage.

However, there are also downsides to relying on paper documents, such as the risk of loss, damage, and theft, as well as the cost and space required for storage. As digital technologies continue to advance, it is likely that we will see a shift towards more digital solutions for document management and storage.

The simplicity of scanning documents with your phone

Scanning documents with your phone is a simple and convenient process. Here are the basic steps to scan a document using your phone:

Download a scanning app: There are many scanning apps available for both iPhone and Android, such as Adobe Scan, CamScanner, and Microsoft Office Lens. Choose one that meets your needs and install it on your phone.
Open the app and position the document: Open the scanning app and position your phone over the document you want to scan. Make sure the document is centered and in focus.
Capture the image: Once the document is in position, capture the image by tapping the capture button in the app. Some scanning apps may automatically capture the image when the document is in focus.
Adjust the image: Many scanning apps include features to adjust the image, such as cropping, rotating, or adjusting brightness and contrast. Use these features to make sure the document is clear and legible.
Save and share: Once the image is adjusted, save the document as a PDF or other file format, and share it as needed. Some apps may also allow you to save documents to cloud storage services such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

Overall, scanning documents with your phone is a simple and intuitive process, and can be done quickly and easily from anywhere. With the right scanning app, you can scan, store, and share documents with ease, making it a valuable tool for both personal and professional use.

The benefits of scanner apps for scanning documents

There are several benefits of using scanner apps to scan documents on your phone. Here are some of the main advantages:

Convenience: Scanner apps allow you to scan documents from anywhere, at any time, without needing to carry around a bulky scanner. This is particularly useful if you need to scan a document while on the go or if you don’t have access to a scanner.
Quality: Many scanner apps use advanced image processing technology to produce high-quality scans. This means that the resulting scans are often clearer and more legible than those produced by a traditional scanner.
Speed: Scanning documents with a scanner app is usually much faster than using a traditional scanner. You can capture the image with just a few taps on your phone, and the app will automatically process and save the image for you.
Features: Scanner apps often include a range of useful features, such as automatic document detection, automatic image cropping, and image enhancement tools. Some apps also allow you to organize your scanned documents into folders and search them using keywords.
Cost-effective: Many scanner apps are free or low-cost, making them an affordable alternative to purchasing a traditional scanner.
Space-saving: Scanning documents with a scanner app eliminates the need for physical storage space, as the scanned documents can be saved digitally and accessed from your phone or computer.

Overall, scanner apps offer a range of benefits for anyone who needs to scan documents on a regular basis. They are fast, convenient, and cost-effective, and can help to streamline your workflow and improve your productivity.

Scanning a document: how to do it correctly?

Scanning a document correctly involves a few key steps to ensure that the resulting image is clear, legible, and accurate. Here is a general process to follow when scanning a document:

Prepare the document: Remove any staples, paperclips, or bindings from the document, and straighten out any folded or creased pages. Make sure the document is clean and free of smudges, marks, or tears.
Set up the scanner: Make sure the scanner is plugged in and turned on. Adjust the scanner settings as needed, such as resolution, color mode, and file format. You may also need to calibrate the scanner to ensure accurate colors and sharpness.
Place the document on the scanner bed: Place the document face-down on the scanner bed, aligning it with the guides on the scanner. Make sure the document is positioned straight and centered on the bed.
Preview and adjust: Use the scanner software to preview the image and make any necessary adjustments, such as cropping, rotation, or brightness and contrast. You may also need to adjust the scanner settings if the image is too dark or light.
Scan the document: Once you have previewed and adjusted the image, scan the document by clicking on the scan button in the software. Depending on the scanner and software, you may be able to scan multiple pages into a single file.
Save and share the file: After scanning the document, save the file in the desired format, such as PDF or JPEG. You can then share the file as needed, such as by email or by uploading it to a cloud storage service.

Overall, scanning a document correctly involves careful preparation, adjustment, and scanning to ensure that the resulting image is of high quality and accuracy. By following these steps, you can create clear and legible scanned documents that are suitable for a range of purposes.

How does a scanner app work?

A scanner app uses your smartphone camera to capture an image of a document, and then applies image processing techniques to create a high-quality digital scan. Here are the basic steps involved in how a scanner app works:

Image capture: To begin the scanning process, the user places the document they want to scan within the camera’s viewfinder on their smartphone. The app then captures an image of the document using the smartphone camera.
Image processing: After the image is captured, the scanner app applies a range of image processing techniques to enhance the image and create a clear, high-quality scan. These techniques may include adjusting brightness and contrast, removing shadows or other visual artifacts, and straightening or cropping the image.
Optical character recognition (OCR): Many scanner apps include OCR technology, which converts the text in the scanned image into editable digital text. This allows users to easily search and edit the scanned document, rather than having to manually retype the text.
File export: After the image processing and OCR is complete, the scanner app saves the resulting scan as a digital file, typically in a format such as PDF, JPG, or PNG. The user can then export or share the scanned document as needed, such as by email, cloud storage, or a messaging app.

Overall, scanner apps use the camera and image processing technology of your smartphone to create high-quality scans of documents. They are a convenient and portable alternative to traditional scanners and can be used from anywhere at any time.

Apps to scan a document

CamScanner (Android, iOS, Windows Phone)

CamScanner is a popular scanner app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to scan documents and save them as PDF or JPEG files. The app uses your smartphone camera to capture an image of the document, and then applies image processing techniques to create a clear and high-quality scan.

One of the key features of CamScanner is its ability to automatically detect the edges of a document and crop the image to remove any unnecessary background. This helps to create a cleaner and more professional-looking scan. The app also includes a range of editing tools, such as brightness and contrast adjustment, rotation, and image enhancement.

CamScanner also includes OCR technology, which allows users to convert the text in a scanned document into editable digital text. This is particularly useful for users who need to extract text from a document or make changes to the text.

In addition to its scanning and OCR capabilities, CamScanner also includes features for organizing and sharing scanned documents. Users can create folders to organize their scans, add tags and notes to their documents, and share the files via email, cloud storage services, or social media.

CamScanner offers a free version of the app, as well as a premium version with additional features such as ad removal and more cloud storage space. Overall, CamScanner is a versatile and user-friendly scanner app that offers a range of features for anyone who needs to scan documents on the go.

Evernote Scannable (iOS)

Evernote Scannable is a scanner app for iOS devices that is designed to work seamlessly with the popular note-taking and organization app, Evernote. The app uses your device’s camera to scan documents, receipts, business cards, and other paper-based materials and convert them into digital format.

One of the standout features of Evernote Scannable is its fast and efficient scanning process. The app automatically detects the edges of the document and captures a high-quality scan in just a few seconds. It also automatically adjusts the color and brightness of the image to create a clear and legible scan.

Another useful feature of Evernote Scannable is its integration with Evernote. Users can save their scans directly to their Evernote account, where they can organize and access them alongside their other notes and documents. Scans can also be shared via email, text message, or AirDrop, and can be saved to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.

Evernote Scannable also includes OCR technology, which allows users to convert scanned text into editable digital text. This can be particularly useful for users who need to extract information from a document, such as contact information from a business card.

Overall, Evernote Scannable is a powerful and efficient scanner app that integrates seamlessly with Evernote and offers a range of features for document scanning and organization. It’s a great choice for users who need to quickly scan and digitize documents and other paper-based materials while on the go.

Download Scannable on iOS

Scanbot (Android & iOS)

Scanbot is a mobile document scanner app available for Android and iOS devices. It allows users to quickly and easily scan documents using their mobile device’s camera and save them as high-quality PDF or JPG files.

In addition to scanning documents, Scanbot offers a variety of features including the ability to crop and edit scanned documents, apply filters and effects, add signatures, and share documents via email, cloud storage services, and other apps.

Scanbot also integrates with popular cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, allowing users to save and access their scanned documents from anywhere.

Overall, Scanbot is a useful tool for anyone who needs to scan and manage documents on the go, whether for work or personal use.

Adobe Scan (Android & iOS)

Adobe Scan is a mobile scanning app available for Android and iOS devices that uses your smartphone or tablet camera to capture and convert documents, whiteboards, and receipts into digital, searchable PDF files. The app is available for free, and it offers a range of features that make it easy to capture and manage documents on the go.

One of the key features of Adobe Scan is its ability to automatically recognize text and images, making it easy to capture documents quickly and accurately. The app also offers a range of editing tools that allow users to crop, rotate, and adjust the color and contrast of scanned documents.

Additionally, Adobe Scan integrates with Adobe’s suite of apps and services, including Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Sign, and Adobe Creative Cloud. This means that users can easily share their scanned documents with others and sign and send documents using Adobe Sign.

Overall, Adobe Scan is a powerful and versatile scanning app that is ideal for anyone who needs to scan and manage documents on their mobile device. Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone who needs to scan and organize documents on the go, Adobe Scan is a great choice.

Our tips for finding the right scanner app for your needs

Here are some tips for finding the right scanner app for your needs:

Consider your requirements: Think about what you need to scan and what features are important to you. Do you need a scanner app that can scan multiple pages at once, automatically detect and crop documents, or edit the scanned images? Make a list of your requirements so you can narrow down your options.
Read reviews: Look for reviews of scanner apps online, particularly from users who have similar needs to yours. This can help you get an idea of how well different apps work and what their strengths and weaknesses are.
Check the app’s compatibility: Make sure the app is compatible with your mobile device’s operating system. Some scanner apps may only work on iOS or Android, so be sure to check before downloading.
Look for user-friendly interfaces: The scanner app you choose should be easy to use and have a user-friendly interface. This is particularly important if you’re not tech-savvy and want an app that is intuitive and straightforward.
Consider additional features: Some scanner apps offer additional features such as OCR (optical character recognition) to convert scanned documents into searchable text, integration with cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive, or the ability to save documents in different file formats. Consider whether any of these features would be useful to you.
Try before you buy: Many scanner apps offer a free trial or a limited version of the app that you can try before committing to a purchase. This can help you determine if the app is the right fit for your needs before you spend money on it.