How to Scan Documents With an Android Phone: 2 Easy Methods

You can scan a paper document with an Android phone using Google Drive or Files by Google. Both apps detect page edges, let you review the result, and save a digital copy. Choose Drive to store the scan in your Google account as a PDF or JPG; choose Files by Google to save a searchable PDF on your device.

Set the page on a flat surface in even light, then hold the camera directly above it. App labels and button placement can vary slightly by Android version, device, or app update.

Choose the right scanning method

Method 1: Scan with Google Drive

Use Google Drive when you want the file in your cloud storage or need to choose between PDF and JPG. Install or update the Drive app if you do not see its scan control.

1. Open the scanner. Open Google Drive and tap the camera icon at the bottom right. If your version shows a different layout, tap + and choose Scan. Allow camera access if Android asks for permission.

   

2. Frame and capture the page. Place the document on a contrasting, flat surface and hold the phone above it. Keep all four corners inside the viewfinder. Drive outlines the page in blue; take the picture when the text looks sharp, or use automatic capture if it is available.

   

3. Review and adjust. Check that no words or page edges were cut off. Use Crop and rotate to correct the borders, Filter to adjust the scan’s appearance, or Clean to remove small marks. Add another page for a multipage document, or retake or delete a page that is blurry.

   

4. Save the file. Tap Done, enter a filename, select PDF or JPG, and choose a Drive folder with Location if needed. Tap Save. A PDF is the practical choice for several pages and can be searched for text; JPG is useful when you only need an image of a single page.

   

For exact controls, see Google’s instructions for scanning with Drive on Android.

Method 2: Scan with Files by Google

Files by Google is a good choice when you want a PDF stored on the phone instead of choosing a cloud destination. Make sure you open Files by Google; other file manager apps may have different menus.

1. Open Scan. Launch Files by Google and tap Scan at the bottom right. If the app is not installed, get Files by Google from Google Play. Allow camera access when prompted.

   

2. Position the document. Lay the page flat and point the camera at it. When the blue outline follows the page edges, use Auto capture or Manual mode to take the picture. Move the phone or improve the lighting if the outline misses a corner.

   

3. Check the preview. Adjust the crop or rotation, apply a filter, or use Clean to remove unwanted objects. Tap Add to scan additional pages into the same document. Retake or delete pages that are hard to read, then tap Done when the scan is complete.

   

4. Find the PDF. Files by Google saves scans as PDFs automatically. Open Recents on the app’s home screen, or go to Documents and then Scanned. The scanned files are kept in a Scanned folder under Downloads.

   

Google’s Files by Google scan guide lists the current controls and save location.

Get a clearer scan

• Use bright, even lighting and avoid glare or a shadow from your hand.
• Keep the phone parallel to the page so the edges are easier to detect.
• Check every page before saving, especially small print, signatures, and corners.
• If Scan is missing, update the app and check Android Settings for camera permission. If text matters, open the saved PDF and confirm the words are legible and searchable before discarding the paper original.

What happened to Microsoft Lens?

Older scanning guides may recommend Microsoft Lens, but it is no longer a current option for new scans. Microsoft retired Lens from Android and iOS beginning January 9, 2026; support ended February 9, and the app stopped creating new scans on March 9, 2026. Microsoft recommends OneDrive as an alternative. Its Android app has a built-in scanner that saves scans as PDFs. See Microsoft’s Lens retirement notice or OneDrive scanning guide for Android.

Quick answers

Can I scan multiple pages into one file?

Yes. In Drive or Files by Google, add each page during the same scan session and save the finished document as a PDF.

Which app saves scans to the phone?

Files by Google saves a PDF in the phone’s Downloads area. Google Drive saves the scan in Drive, where you can choose a folder and PDF or JPG format.