How to scan documents from your smartphone 1

How to scan documents from your smartphone

Digital has completely killed paper in many ways. It must be said that it is superior on many levels: ecologically, of course, because it does not kill a tree. But also from a practical point of view, when downloading a book in a few seconds is much easier than walking to the store.

Where this becomes even more true is in the context of administrative procedures. While it sounds digital for the government, many documents need to be personally received, signed, scanned and emailed for greater speed.

But if you are a student or need to do it urgently, for example, it is difficult to justify buying a scanner. So why not use your smartphone in this case? It’s totally possible and we’ll show you how.

Prerequisites

The use of this method does not in itself require any prerequisites, as it relies on the use of an Android application. But keep in mind that this method obviously uses your phone’s photo sensor. Also, this should be the minimum powerful to be able to capture a page. Test this method yourself and make sure the document remains legible before sending.

The environment in which you make this capture should also be considered. A dim room, of course, will not look the same as a room bathed in light. Also be sure to scan on a computer. neutral background to facilitate the operation of the application.

How to scan a document with Google Drive

The easiest way is to use the Google Drive app, which is pre-installed on many smartphones. It does much more than back up your important documents and includes a very efficient scanning feature!

How to scan documents from your smartphone 4
  • open app google drive
  • press sign +
  • To touch scanning

The app will then request access to your camera – you have to agree of course.

How to scan documents from your smartphone 5

Tap after the document is scanned. V The right to verify your scanned document and broadcast it on TV in your Google Drive. This is automatically cropped, the contrast is increased for easier reading, and the result is converted to PDF format. If you don’t like this scan, you can tap the middle button. Finally, tap to add other documents to the same PDF. +.

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From there you can share your document directly from Google Drive. Or download it to your computer to do whatever you want with it.

How to scan a document with CamScanner

The other option to scan a document from your smartphone is to use another app that offers a few more options. Here we have chosen to show you how to use CamScanner, available for free on the Play Store:

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The free version will add an advertising banner to your scan. If you don’t want to have it, the paid version is available here with limited promotion from €2.09 (usually €4.99):

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Test the app first, but believe us: €2 will quickly seem like a ridiculous amount compared to the service the app will provide you.

first launch

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When starting the application you will be able to create an account, for example, to save your scans online. This step is optional, so we won’t cover it in this tutorial.

  • To touch use now to skip this step
  • Accept permission to access storage
  • tap Cameraand accept the authorization request again

Scan with CamScanner

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So here you are in the app browsing interface. To help the app recognize it, please have a contrasting background with your page and be in a well-lit room.

  • Tap the document from your screen to best set the focus
  • take the photo

As with Google Drive, the rest is automatic. You can also batch capture to create a PDF file of several pages.

retouch capture

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Basically, CamScanner’s performance is pretty stunning. However, if you made a mistake by automatically cropping a photo or you want to retouch the contrast of your scan:

  • Tap the icon surrounded by a red square in the preview (see above)

The first window that opens allows you to edit the automatic cropping of your page. So, if you think the app has cropped part of your document, you can find it here and retouch the crop as you see fit. Once this is done you will find yourself in CamScanner’s editing interface. At the top of the application are the settings you can use: Auto, which will retouch the contrast and brightness of the document for you to make the document as readable as possible, the original to save the source, the lower quality specified, and the higher quality. quite ambiguous in itself.

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At the bottom of the interface you also have the possibility to tilt the image left or right to find the document in its natural reading direction. By pressing the slider icon you will be able to access much more precise settings: contrast, brightness and finally details. Take care to manage the balance between brightness and contrast so that it can be read without deleting certain elements of the document.

Document scanning: some alternative apps

Did you already know the two solutions described above and want an alternative? These are too many in the Play Store! Here is a – non-exhaustive – list of free and valuable scanning apps:

  • Office Lens
  • Adobe Scan
  • genius scan

And here you are, ready to send anything to your bank, Government or whatever! You didn’t think your smartphone could be used like this, did you? These little devices know how to manage better than you think!