How to scan documents using Your Phone with the Google Drive app.
In a world of endless apps and expensive subscriptions, we're all looking for ways to simplify our digital lives and save a little money. So, what if I told you there's no need to search for a high-quality document scanner, or pay for one? The best option is likely already installed on your phone, completely free.
Many of us have been there. You need a digital copy of a receipt, a signed contract, or a child's precious artwork. You might turn to a clunky, old hardware scanner, wrestle with its outdated software, or download a dedicated app like Adobe Scan. While these tools get the job done, they often introduce extra steps, annoying paywalls, and a clunky workflow. After scanning with a third-party app, you still have to save the file and then manually upload and organise it in your cloud storage.
It's time to skip the hassle. The scanner built directly into the Google Drive app is a powerful, efficient, and intelligent tool that most people don't even know exists.
Step 1: Get the Google Drive App
For those using Android, the Google Drive app comes pre-installed on your phone. If you don't have it, or if you're using an iPhone, it's a quick and free download.
For Android users: Download it from the Google Play Store.
For iPhone users: Download it from the Apple App Store.
Simply install the app and sign in with your Google account.
Step 2: Scan Your First Document
Now that you have the app, using the scanner is incredibly straightforward.
Open the Google Drive app on your phone.
Tap the colourful ‘+’ (New) button located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
From the menu that appears, tap the ‘Scan’ option (it looks like a camera icon).
Position the document you want to scan on a flat surface and point your phone's camera at it. The app will automatically try to detect the edges of the paper.
Tap the shutter button to capture the scan. You can then adjust the crop, rotate the image, or change the colour settings (like switching to black and white).
To scan multiple pages into a single PDF, tap the ‘+’ icon on the bottom left to add more pages.
Once you're happy with your scan, tap ‘Save’. You'll be prompted to name the file and choose a location in your Drive.
That's it! Your scanned document is now a high-quality PDF saved securely in your Google Drive.
The Seamless Workflow You've Been Missing
The most significant advantage of using the Google Drive scanner is its perfect integration with the Google ecosystem. There's no need to juggle multiple apps. Your documents are immediately ready to be shared, organised into folders, or attached to an email, all within a single environment.
Let Gemini Clean It Up for You
Have you ever taken a picture of a document only to find it skewed, shadowed, or hard to read? Google has integrated its powerful AI, Gemini, directly into the scanning process to solve this problem. When you scan a document with Drive, it automatically removes shadows, straightens the image, and enhances the text to make it crisp and clean.
The magic doesn't stop once the scan is saved. Because your new file lives in Google Drive, it's now a smart document. With Gemini for Google Workspace, you can instantly use that scanned information.
Imagine scanning a multi-page business contract. You can immediately ask Gemini to "summarise this document into five key bullet points." Or, scan a handful of receipts and ask, "What was the total amount I spent on office supplies this month?"
This is a level of productivity that standalone scanner apps and hardware simply cannot touch. They capture an image; Google Drive creates an intelligent asset.
It's Time to Make the Switch
Before you pay for another scanner app subscription or dust off that old machine, open Google Drive. The most convenient, intelligent, and cost-effective scanner is already in your pocket, waiting to simplify your workflow and unlock the true potential of your documents. Enter your details below to get more tips like this directly to your inbox!
