Apps for scanning documents with your cell phone.

Need to send a document, receipt, or signed contract and don't have a scanner nearby? Your cell phone solves the problem. Scanning apps crop the edges, correct perspective, and make the text crisp, generating a PDF ready to send.

Some even recognize text from images (so-called OCR), allowing you to copy sections or search within the document. Check out the best options, many of which are already installed on your phone.

What a good cell phone scanner needs to have

Automatic border cropping, brightness and contrast adjustment, option to merge multiple pages into a single PDF, and cloud saving. Text recognition is a very useful bonus for anyone who works with documents.

The most recommended apps

Adobe Scan

From the same company as Acrobat, it scans with excellent quality and automatically recognizes text, making the PDF searchable.

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
• Automatic cropping and correction
• Free

Google Drive

Many people don't know this, but Google Drive has a built-in scanner: tap the "+" button and choose "Scan." The PDF will then be saved to the cloud.

• It already comes standard on many Android devices.
• Saves directly to the cloud.
• Free

Genius Scan

Fast and lightweight, with excellent image processing and the option to merge multiple pages. Works without needing to create an account.

• No registration required.
• Multiple pages in one PDF
• Full free version for the basics

On your iPhone, use the Notes app.

On iPhone, there's no need to install anything: open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, and choose "Scan Documents." The app will automatically crop and adjust the image. The Files app also has this function.

Tips for a perfect scan

Place the document on a dark, smooth surface in a well-lit place, away from shadows from your phone. Hold the device parallel to the paper. Before sending personal documents, verify who you are sending them to and prefer official channels.

Step-by-step process for digitizing

Open the scanning app and point the camera at the document. Wait for the app to detect the edges, usually highlighted with a colored border, and take the photo. Adjust the corners if needed and choose the document filter, which makes the background white and the text dark.

For documents with multiple pages, continue taking photos before saving: the app will combine everything into a single PDF. Finally, give the file a clear name, such as "proof-of-residence-October," so you can easily find it later.

How to make PDFs lighter

Large files may be rejected by websites and emails. In the export settings, choose medium quality or the compress option. For text-only documents, black and white mode significantly reduces the size without compromising readability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a document scanned with a cell phone valid?

Yes, you can send copies and proof of payment. Documents that require an original or notarized document follow the rules of each specific agency.

Which app recognizes text?

Adobe Scan recognizes text automatically. Google Drive also makes the text searchable after it's saved.

Do I need to pay?

No. The apps on this list have a free version that is sufficient for everyday use.

With one of these apps, your cell phone becomes a complete scanner, and you can solve everything without leaving home.