As the new school year or course begins, it brings along a fresh routine and a revamped approach to organization. Among the many tasks on your to-do list, one crucial activity is recreating your notes. Naturally, most of us prefer to have these notes in PDF format, and to achieve that, scanning becomes a necessity. Fortunately, there are numerous apps and tools available to streamline this process seamlessly.
When it comes to scanning your documents and converting them into PDFs, you have two main options. You can utilize the native apps and tools provided by your operating system, or you can opt for third-party applications that offer enhanced features for efficiently managing and organizing your PDF documents.
Utilizing Native Apps for Document Scanning
In recognition of the increasing significance of document scanning, operating systems have made concerted efforts to enhance this feature. Consequently, we now have the convenience of scanning documents directly from native apps within our system.
Scanning on Android
While Android itself doesn’t come equipped with a dedicated scanning app, there’s a pre-installed app from Google that seamlessly fills this role – Google Drive. Recently, Google Drive has embraced the scanning trend, making it a versatile tool for document scanning. To get started, simply follow these steps:
- Open Google Drive and navigate to the bottom right corner.
- Click on ‘Add’ and then select ‘Scan’.
- Capture a photo of the document you wish to scan.
- Edit the scanned document to your preference.
- Click on ‘Save’.
Once completed, your fully scanned document will be readily available in your Drive profile. From there, you can easily transfer it to any location on your mobile device by utilizing the share button and selecting your preferred app, such as the Files app.
It’s worth noting that this process is equally applicable to iPhone users who have Google Drive installed on their device.
Scanning Documents on Your iPhone
iOS was at the forefront of integrating document scanning capabilities directly into its operating system. You can achieve this effortlessly through the Notes app. Here’s how to scan all your class notes with ease:
1. Open the Notes app and create a new note.
2. Tap on the camera button and then select ‘Scan Documents’.
3. Position your notes in front of the camera, and the system will automatically recognize them.
4. Adjust the document’s borders as needed.
5. Decide whether to scan another page or complete the document.
Once you have the PDF within the note you’ve created, you can open it, save it, or share it with other apps, similar to the process on Android.
“Alternative Scanning Apps
In addition to the native apps available, there are alternative tools that provide the option to scan documents. Here are two noteworthy options, both compatible with Android and iPhone, should you prefer a dedicated document scanning app.
CamScanner:
CamScanner is arguably the pioneering app in the realm of document scanning. It has laid the groundwork for features seen in today’s apps, such as Apple‘s Notes app. Over the years, CamScanner has seen significant enhancements and now boasts an array of new functions.
Beyond basic document scanning, it offers features like scanning and saving IDs or passports and even the ability to sign documents that come your way. It’s an all-in-one app that comes highly recommended.
Adobe Scan
In addition to CamScanner, there are other equally reputable and essential scanning apps, one of which is the Adobe Scan app. While it leans more toward the professional and work environment than the student milieu, it remains a versatile tool for scanning a wide range of documents.
What sets Adobe Scan apart is its seamless integration with other devices linked to the same account, as well as its compatibility with various other apps within the Adobe ecosystem. This makes it a powerful choice for individuals seeking comprehensive document scanning solutions.