It’s always a good idea to have multiple copies of important documents. You never know when one of them might get lost or damaged. Learn how to scan documents on your phone to have a backup of them all and never worry about it again!
First of all, if you already have a flatbed scanner, using it is a really good option. However, it is not as quick and practical as taking out your smartphone and scanning it.
Furthermore, nowadays everyone has a cell phone that they carry everywhere. It is much harder to find someone who has a scanner at home.
Therefore, it is a great idea to learn how to use your cell phone to scan documents. Check out our explanations.
Advantages of scanning documents using your cell phone
Before that, however, let's look at the advantages of doing this. First of all, it's always good to have a copy of all your important documents, don't you agree? Imagine how bad it would be to lose them and not have a backup.
Or, if you want to save something that you found interesting and caught your attention, such as a book, a message, or a card, but you don't like having it as an image, you'd rather have it in text or PDF format.
Or, perhaps you want to quickly send a text or important information to someone far away. In fact, speed is the great advantage of understanding how to scan documents using your smartphone.
Overall, the procedure is simple, requires no time or effort, and can save you headaches in the future. Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Tips for scanning documents using your cell phone
Let's understand how to scan documents using your cell phone. The general procedure that will need to be followed is very simple:
- Place the document on a flat surface;
- Using your cell phone, open the scanning application;
- Follow the application instructions;
- Place the cell phone on the document;
- Take a picture;
Done! After following these steps, the document will be saved in the format you want (the most recommended is PDF). Now you can do whatever you want with it.
However, it is important to take some basic precautions to ensure that your document is legible and presentable. The following measures should always be taken, regardless of the application or device you decide to use.
Lighting and Sharpness
In order to facilitate scanning, avoid recognition errors and improve the overall visibility of the text, make sure that:
- The environment where you will perform the scanning is well lit;
- There are no shadows on the document.
- Also, make sure the lens is clean and working properly.
- The document must also be clean and cannot be cut or damaged.
Hold on tight
Another important tip is to keep your hand from shaking while trying to scan. Hold it correctly so that there is no distortion in the document and the terms come out correctly, okay?
If you are unable to do so, look for a type of support that will support the device while the scan lasts.
Take advantage of your phone's features
Additionally, there are filters in some apps that help with readability. Also, keep the screen contrast and brightness just right to get the best possible result.
So, these were some general tips. Now we will look at some good apps for scanning. Follow along below.
Applications for scanning documents on your cell phone
Let's learn how to scan documents on your cell phone using different apps. The best one to use will depend on the type of documents and how frequently you want to scan them.
Microsoft Office Lens

It is an excellent free option, especially for those who already use the Office Suite. The interface is quite simplified. Through Office Lens, it is possible to export in other formats besides PDF, such as Word and Power Point, but it is relatively limited.
Adobe Scan
Adobe Scan (for Android and iOS) is simple to use and you can get it for free. It stores all the captured scans in Adobe Document Cloud which makes them more accessible. It will save only in PDF, which is the most used format by companies and the like.
You can edit using Acrobat DC and add filters to enhance the look to your liking. You can also access more features if you choose to pay.
CamScanner
The CamScanner One of the most complete, but to use all the features, you will need to subscribe. Even so, the free mode already has filters and can satisfy your needs.
Scanbot
The Scanbot It is also an excellent app. Its functions include:
- Folder customization;
- Smart file naming;
- iCloud sync;
- Automatic cloud upload.
It is very complete, but its iOS version is quite expensive. The Android version is free, but much less developed.
Google Drive

In addition to these, it is also possible to scan through Google Drive. This may be the best method, after all you usually won't need to install anything if you already use Google. Just confirm that your Google Drive is up to date by going to Google Play or the App Store and you're good to go.
Finally, now you know how to scan documents using your cell phone. See how easy it is? If you have any questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments.