How to scan documents on Android
Most Android phones can scan a document with Google Drive — no extra app required. Here's exactly how, plus how ScannerFlow adds OCR, AI chat, and reliable multi-page PDFs when you need more.
Free to try · Android
The honest answer first
You don't need an app for a quick scan
Android already ships with a scanner for most people: the Google Drive app. Tap the “+” button, choose “Scan,” capture the page, and save it to Drive as a PDF. Some Samsung Galaxy phones even detect documents directly in the stock Camera app. For a single page, that's all you need — and it's free.
Where Drive's scanner stops short is what happens afterthe scan: getting searchable text out of it (OCR in Drive is a manual, online step), summarizing or asking AI about the document, managing longer multi-page files, and keeping everything in one tidy library. Below: the built-in methods, then where ScannerFlow takes over.
Built into Android
Scan with Google Drive or your camera
Two free, no-download ways to scan on Android.
Scan with Google Drive
- 1
Open the Google Drive app (it comes pre-installed on most Android phones).
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Tap the “+” (New) button in the bottom-right corner.
- 3
Choose “Scan” — the camera opens with edge detection.
- 4
Capture the page, then crop, rotate, or add a color filter as needed.
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Tap the “+” to add more pages, then tap “Save” to store it in Drive as a PDF.
Scan with the Camera (Samsung)
- 1
Many Samsung Galaxy phones detect documents right in the stock Camera app.
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Open the Camera, point it at the page, and wait for the “Scan document” prompt.
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Tap the prompt to capture and auto-crop the page.
- 4
Review the crop, then save the scan to your Gallery or share it directly.
- 5
Note: availability varies by phone model and One UI version.
For documents you'll reuse
Scan with ScannerFlow on Android
When the scan needs to be searchable, summarized, or built into a longer PDF, ScannerFlow does it in the same five taps.
- 1
Install ScannerFlow from the Google Play Store and open it.
- 2
Tap the scan button; real-time edge detection frames the page automatically.
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Capture, auto-crop, and pick a filter — auto-enhance, black & white, or color.
- 4
Add as many pages as you like into one PDF, then let on-device OCR make it searchable.
- 5
Ask the AI about the document, or export the PDF to Gmail, Drive, or any app.
Do more with ScannerFlow
What you get beyond Google Drive
Drive’s scanner covers the basics. ScannerFlow handles the rest.
Automatic on-device OCR
Every scan becomes searchable, copyable text instantly — no manual “open as Google Doc” step required.
AI chat & summaries
Ask questions about a scanned contract or letter, or get a one-tap summary right in the app.
Reliable multi-page PDFs
Stack many pages into one tidy, correctly ordered PDF, with sharper filters for faded or low-contrast paper.
Private by default
No ads, on-device OCR, and encrypted cloud storage. We never sell your data.
Android scanning FAQ
Can I scan a document on Android without installing an app?
Usually yes. The Google Drive app — pre-installed on most Android phones — has a built-in scanner: tap the “+” button, choose “Scan,” capture the page, and save it as a PDF. Some Samsung Galaxy phones also detect documents in the stock Camera app. For a quick single page, no extra app is needed.
Where do Android scans get saved?
Scans made with Google Drive are saved to your Drive account as PDFs. Samsung Camera scans typically go to your Gallery. ScannerFlow keeps every scan in one organized in-app library, so you don’t have to remember which app or folder a document went into.
How do I extract or search text from an Android scan?
Google Drive can run OCR when you open a scanned PDF as a Google Doc, but it’s a manual, online step. ScannerFlow runs OCR on-device automatically after each scan, so the document is instantly searchable and copyable — and you can chat with it or summarize it using AI.
What does ScannerFlow add over Google Drive’s scanner?
Automatic on-device OCR, AI document chat and summaries, smoother multi-page PDFs, stronger filters for faded paper, an organized library, and a privacy-first design with no ads. Drive’s scanner is fine for a quick single page; ScannerFlow is built for documents you’ll search and reuse.
Is ScannerFlow free on Android?
ScannerFlow is free to download and free to try on Android. Advanced features such as multi-page PDFs, AI chat, and Cloud Sync are part of an optional subscription. There is no “free unlimited” plan.
Scan smarter on Android
Add automatic OCR, AI chat, and multi-page PDFs to your Android scans. Free to try on Android.