[2024] How to Scan from Printer to Phone

Even in today’s digital age, people still have to cope with paper documents, especially the bills and letters that come in the mail.

To better preserve and share these documents, it’s essential to scan them and save them as digital files on your phone. You can use Android phones to scan a document direclty but the result is usually not that satisfying.

Thus, many choose to use a scanner or printer. But how can you scan from the printer to the phone? Here are a few practical methods to help you get started.

How to Scan from Printer to Phone with Printer’s Companion App

Printers and scanners on the market today come with dedicated apps that let you scan or print documents directly from your phone or computer.

Popular options include the Canon PRINT app, HP Smart app, and Epson iPrint app. You can download these apps from the printer’s website, the App Store, or Google Play.

Depending on your printer’s brand and model, the steps to scan documents to your phone can vary. Please refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions. Here, we’ll take Canon printers as an example.

Step 1. Download Canon PRINT from an app store.

Step 2. Turn on your Canon printer and ensure the printer and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3. Launch the app and choose the printer from the list. Register the printer if you can’t find it in the list. Then, tap the “Scan” button in the main menu.

Step 4. Place the document on the scanner bed or in the document feeder.

Step 5. Change settings like document format or color before scanning. Tap the “Scan” button at the bottom of the window to initiat scanning.

Step 6. Once the scan is completed, Tap the “Save” icon to save the document to your phone or cloud storage. Tap the “Share” icon to send via email or messaging apps.

Please note that the default format of the scanned file is an image. If you want them to be more portable and stable, it is suggested to convert the files to PDF with PDFgear. It is a reliable file converter that supports PNG to PDF, JPEG to PDF, PSD to PDF, and more.

How to Scan from Printer to Phone With a Third-party App

If your printer lacks its own app for scanning documents to your phone, consider using third-party software. These applications are compatible with a wide range of printers and smartphones, enabling you to scan documents to your phone regardless of your device.

One recommended option is the Mopria Scan, which has garnered positive feedback for its mobile printing capabilities. Developed by the non-profit organization Mopria, this app allows Android devices to connect with printers from various brands or models. It features an intuitive interface that simplifies usage, eliminating any learning curve and boosting your productivity.

Step 1. Download and install Mopria Scan from its official website or Google Play. Once installed, open the app on your phone.

Step 2. The app will automatically search for available printers on the same network. When your printer appears in the list, select it.

Step 3. Place the document you want to scan on the printer’s scanner bed.

Step 4. Adjust scan settings in Mopria Scan and then tap the “Scan” button to begin the scanning process.

Step 5. After scanning, choose to save the scanned document to your phone’s storage or share it directly through email, cloud storage, or other apps.

While being so handy, Mopria Scan only supports Android 12 or higher. If you’re an iPhone user or working with a lower Android system, it’s recommended to choose other apps.

Usually, the new files on your phone are in images. If the scanned document contains a lot of text or graphics, to make it compatible to more platforms, you can convert it to PDF, a more stable and portable file format. PDFgear is specializes in converting iamges to PDF without losing formatting. It supports mutiple image types, including JPEG, PNG, and PSD. It also allows batch conversion and compress large scanned files.

FAQs

How do I connect my phone to my printer to scan?

To connect your phone and printer, ensure the devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the printer’s app on your phone, select the printer, and follow the scanning instructions.

Why is my phone not finding my printer?

It may be because your phone and printer are not on the same network. You can check the networking connection on both devices, restart both devices if needed, and check the app settings.

Can I scan to my phone via Bluetooth?

Yes, some printers support Bluetooth connection with phones even though it’s not common. You need to ensure that the printer enables Bluetooth before scanning. Otherwise, you need to use Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct to connect to mobile devices for scanning.

Is there a way to scan multiple pages into one document on my phone?

Yes, most printer apps allow you to scan multiple pages and combine them into a single document. Look for the “Add page” or “Combine” option in the app.

What do I do if my scanned documents are of low quality?

For this situation, check the resolution settings in the printer app, and make it at a high resolution for scanning. Ensure the glass of the scanner bed is clean.