[3 Free Ways] How to Scan Documents without a Scanner

Using a scanner to digitize documents and send them to a mobile phone or computer can save documents well and make them easy to share and consult.

However, a scanner is a large device, which is not very convenient to carry, so scanning documents anytime and anywhere has become a challenge.

This article will introduce 3 different methods to scan without a scanner. They are suitable for mobile phones and laptops, helping you quickly complete document digitization.

Scan Documents with a Free Scanning App

First of all, the alternative to scanning without a scanner on your phone is professional scanning software. PDFgear Scan is one of the best choices. This is a feature-rich and completely free PDF scanner app for iPhone that can scan and edit documents. Its simple operation process turns your iPhone into a portable scanner anytime, anywhere.

In addition, the special thing about PDFgear Scan is that it provides a variety of advanced features. With the support of OCR technology, PDFgear can automatically recognize and extract text from documents. And there are advanced features such as adding signatures and page organization waiting for you to explore.

Step 1. Download and install PDFgear Scan from the App Store.

Step 2. Open PDFgear Scan > Click the “+” icon or “Scan Document” icon > Select “Camera” > Allow PDFgear to access your camera > Place the document on a flat surface in the viewfinder > Click the capture button > Capture multiple times to scan multiple pages.

Step 3. After scanning, click “>” in the lower right corner to edit and adjust the scanned image > Click “Done” and you can perform more advanced operations on the next screen > Click “More” > “Share as PDF” to save the scanned large document as PDF.

Scan Documents with Microsoft Lens on a Laptop

Office Lens is a professional scanning software released by Microsoft that can scan documents to PDF on Windows using the laptop’s webcam. In addition, it can scan whiteboards, menus, signs, handwritten memos, or anything containing a lot of text.

Office Lens can automatically remove shadows and correct angles to capture the perfect image. It supports multiple storage formats including PDF, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, OneDrive, etc.

Step 1. Install and open Microsoft Lens on your laptop.

Step 2. Click the “Scanner” icon in the right menu bar > Select the type of scan, such as “Document.”

Step 3. Place the document to be scanned in the camera viewfinder > Click the camera button to capture the image.

Step 4. Use the button in the upper right corner to edit or rescan the scanned image > Click the “Save” icon in the lower right corner after the scan is completed.

Choose a way to save, Office Lens will automatically save the scanned document for you.

Scan Documents with iPad/iPhone’s Native App – Note

There is also a great option for iPhone and iPad users. No need to download any third-party software, the built-in Note App of iPhone and iPad can complete the scanning task. With just a few taps, you can capture the image and save it in the note, integrating it into your workflow. In addition, the editing tools in the Note app can also highlight, handwrite, cut, and more on the scanned image.

Step 1. Open the Notes app > Tap the icon in the lower left corner to create a new notebook > Tap the “Camera” icon > Select “Scan Document”.

Step 2. After starting the scan, switch the scanning mode in the upper right corner. If it is in automatic mode, Notes will automatically detect the edges of the document and scan it. If it is manual mode, you need to tap the camera button > Drag the dots in the four corners to crop > Tap “Keep Scan”.

Step 3. After the scan, tap “Save” in the lower left corner > The scanned image will be automatically saved to the note.

FAQs

What is the best app to scan documents with a smartphone?

For smartphones, the best scanning app is PDFgear Scan. It not only has excellent scanning functions and provides high-quality scan results, but also provides post-scan editing functions, which can easily complete advanced functions such as document signing, text extraction, etc. The most important thing is that it is completely free.

Can I use my phone’s camera to scan documents?

Of course, you can. First, you can directly use the phone’s camera to take a photo to scan the document. Secondly, to get better scanning results and eliminate quality problems caused by external factors such as angle and light, you can also choose to use professional scanning tools, such as PDFgear Scan.

Can I scan documents with my laptop webcam?

Yes. Microsoft Lens provides a dedicated option for laptop users, allowing users to easily scan using their computer webcam and save or integrate scanned documents into their workflow.

How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF without a scanner?

Currently, almost all scanning software supports scanning multiple pages of documents and saving them as one PDF. For example, in PDFgear Scan, you only need to scan all the document pages one by one, and then click “…” > “Share as PDF” to save all the scanned pages as one PDF.

Conclusion

Whether using a mobile phone or a laptop, with these professional scanning applications, you can turn it into a portable scanner anytime and anywhere to complete the scanning task efficiently. Opt for the one that suits you best to improve your scanning experience!