- The document scanning function has arrived iPhone and gradually unfolds; in Android It starts to appear and has an alternative with Files de Google.
- Allows automatic cropping, orientation correction, and color, grayscale, or black and white filters for improved readability.
- On iPhone it generates a PDF Ready to send, with editing, reordering, and saving options; 2 GB document upload limit.
If you've ever been asked to send a digital document and didn't have a scanner handy, it's now much easier: WhatsApp It integrates its own scanner that works with the mobile phone's camera to create files ready to shareThis new feature adds to the app's list of useful tools and allows you to scan papers without leaving the chat, with filters and cropping included to ensure the result is clear and legible. In the following lines, we'll tell you how to get the most out of it and what alternatives you have if the feature doesn't appear on your phone yet.
The function is called scan document and is found within the attachments menu you already use to send photos or files. On iPhone, it arrived with WhatsApp version 24.25.89 and is being rolled out gradually, so it may take a while to appear for all users. Some media outlets suggest it's also already appearing on Android, although not on all devices; therefore, we're also providing you with a simple method for Android using the Google Files app. In any case, the trick is the same: point the camera at the paper, and the app will identify the edges, adjust the perspective, and generate a document ready to send with a couple of taps.
How a mobile document scanner works
A scanner is nothing more than a combination of a camera and software capable of detecting the outline of the paper, correct perspective and increase the contrast so the text is clearly legible. On mobile devices, this task is handled by the camera itself, along with algorithms that transform the photo into something more like a scan than a simple image. Therefore, when you frame a receipt or contract, you'll see how the app draws a frame and corrects the tilt, resulting in a file that's cleaner than a normal photo.
WhatsApp now integrates this process into the document sending flow, avoiding the need to open an external app. With this system, you can digitize from purchase tickets and payment vouchers to notes or reports, all without leaving the chat. Post-processing allows you to crop borders, rotate pages, and apply color filters to improve the readability of text on paper.
The goal is to allow you to manage your paperwork on the go: scan, review the result, save it, and share it in the same place where you have the conversation. This way, Quickly convert invoices, delivery notes or contracts in files that are easy to read and weigh little.
Availability, required version and what it allows you to do
The document scanning feature is available on iPhone starting with version 24.25.89 WhatsApp. For now, it's being gradually activated through the App Store, so if it doesn't appear yet, it's a good idea to update and wait for it to arrive in your account. Several media outlets report that it wasn't officially announced on Android at first, although in recent weeks, some users have already seen it on their phones. If you don't have it activated, below you'll see how to replicate it using Google Files.
WhatsApp's internal scanner isn't limited to taking a photo: it incorporates automatic cropping, orientation correction and filters Designed for documents. Specifically, you can switch between color, grayscale, and black and white, as well as turn the flash on or off when scanning in low-light environments. These settings are applied before saving and help ensure clear text even if the paper is slightly wrinkled or the background is uneven.
Another important point is post-editing. Before sending, you can open the preview and adjust the borders, rotate pages that are crooked, or delete those you don't want to include. On iPhone, when you're finished, generates a PDF document with all the pages you've scanned in a row, ready to be shared immediately via WhatsApp. In early versions, some media outlets weren't clear on whether it always exported to PDF, but in practice the workflow iOS produce that file for more convenient shipping.
As for limits, remember that the maximum size of any document that you send by WhatsApp is 2 GBThis is a very wide margin for scanned documents, which usually weigh much less, especially if you use the black and white or grayscale filter. If you need to save the file outside of WhatsApp, you can always save it in the iPhone's Files app and then share it by email, upload it to the cloud, print it, or even password-protect it using the Lock PDF option.
Step by step on iPhone: Scan from a chat
First of all, make sure you have the app updated. You can check the version in WhatsApp Settings and, if it's older than the required version, install the latest version. Once the feature is active, you can access it where you always attach files: in the add button within a conversation or groupThere you'll see the documents section with three common options, including the one we're looking at: scan document.
The process is very straightforward and doesn't require any complicated techniques. It's best to place the paper flat on a surface with good contrast and good lighting, so that the edges are clearly visible. In the camera view, you'll see a frame that detects the contour; when the framing is correct, the capture can be automatic, or you can click if you prefer to work manually. Both methods adjust the perspective and contrast to make the text easier to read.
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone and enter the chat where you want to send the scanned file. The goal is to have the conversation handy so you can share the document as soon as you're done.
- Tap the Add button and select documents. Three options will appear: select from files, select a photo or video, and scan a document.
- Choose Scan Document. A camera focused on the paper will open, with specific features for edge detection and content alignment.
- Focus on the document. In automatic mode, the app captures when the frame is correct; in manual mode, you tap to shoot. If you make a mistake, you can repeat the shot without any problem.
- When you're done, save. WhatsApp will group the pages and show you a PDF with a text box and a send button.
While scanning, you have shortcuts at the top to switch between automatic and manual capture, activate the flash, and change the color mode. These controls help you deal with real-life situations, such as an office with cold fluorescent lights or a crumpled receipt that looks worse in color than in black and white. Typically, the grayscale significantly improve the readability of printed text.
After each capture, a thumbnail is created in the corner; by touching it, you enter the editor where you can crop edges, rotate pages that have come out crooked, or delete unwanted ones. You can also rescan from scratch if you want to redo the entire document. Upon confirmation, WhatsApp creates a PDF with all the pages in order and allows you to add text before sending.
Once shared, the file is available in that conversation for you to view whenever you want. You can forward it to other chats, open and share it with other apps, or save a local copy in FilesIf you work with sensitive documents, you'll want to take advantage of system options to protect them, for example by locking the PDF from the iPhone's file manager.
Scanner controls and settings: filters, flash, and capture
The WhatsApp scanner includes several simple controls that make a difference in the final result. Beyond automatic cropping, you can change how the image is shot, how the scene is lit, and how the color is processed. These settings are designed to make the document legible and clean without having to edit it in another app. saving time and effort.
In capture you have two modes: automatic and manualThe automatic shutter detects the edge of the paper and triggers when it's properly aligned, ideal for quickly scanning multiple sheets in a row. The manual shutter gives you full control to press whenever you want and is useful with complicated documents, such as glossy sheets or transparent plastics that reflect light.
In lighting, the flash switch helps you in dark or shadowy environments. It is best to use it sparingly to avoid shine on glossy papers, but on thermal paper receipts, a touch of flash can improve readability. The trick is to maintain sufficient distance and an angle that minimizes reflections.
In color, you can switch between three modes: color, grayscale, and black and whiteColor mode is recommended for stamps or other chromatic elements, while black and white offers the most contrasting text and lightweight files. Grayscale is a fantastic compromise when you want to preserve details without increasing the size of the PDF.
Finally, in the document preview you can reorder pages, crop edges precisely, and rotate those that have been cut wrong. These adjustments are quick, are applied before generating the PDF, and allow the recipient to receive a clean, presentable, professional-looking file.
Android Today: Where is the feature and an alternative with Files by Google?
On Android, the situation has been changing with There. During the initial launch, WhatsApp did not integrate the scanner into the app for all users of this system, and several media outlets indicated that it was not officially available. Meanwhile, there are Android phones on which the scan document option already appears within documents in the attach button, just like on iPhone. If when opening documents you see select from files, select photo or video and scan document, you can use the same flow explained in iOS and send the result instantly.
If it still doesn't appear, the most convenient alternative is Google files, a widely used file manager that includes a dedicated button for scanning documents. It works practically identically to WhatsApp on iPhone: it detects edges, corrects perspective, and lets you apply filters before converting everything into a PDF. Then, simply share that PDF on WhatsApp from the file menu.
The process with Google Files is simple and fast, even if you scan multiple pages. When you open the scan function, you'll see the camera with automatic capture that takes action when it frames a rectangle; if you're not satisfied with the result, you can switch to manual mode and press when you're ready. The system saves each page in a preview and allows you to remove borders, crop more accurately, or apply contrast filters so that the text can be read effortlessly.
- Scan all the pages you need. When you're done, tap Done. The app will create a PDF with the processed images, organized and ready for use.
- Open the PDF from Files and choose ShareSelect WhatsApp, choose the contact or group, and add a comment if applicable before sending.
- If your manufacturer doesn't include Files by Google by default, you can download it for free from the Play Store. It's lightweight and also adds other utilities to manage your storage.
Although this alternative involves a further step, in practice it takes very little And the result is very similar to that of the built-in scanner. When WhatsApp enables the option generally for all Android users, the workflow will be even more simplified, as you won't have to leave the conversation to scan the paper in front of you.
A safety note that is never too much: protect PDFs with a password When you save them in your file manager, it's a good practice if you work with confidential information. Avoid sending sensitive data to strangers, and if you work with confidential information, consider password-protecting PDFs when saving them in your file manager. Finally, always try to scan on a high-contrast surface and in good lighting; if you see a green frame on the screen or precise automatic cropping, it's a sign that the detection is working properly.
With all of the above, scanning from WhatsApp becomes an everyday gesture: open the chat, write down, check, and send. Whether for tickets, receipts, notes, or contracts, the experience is agile and straightforwardIf you don't have the feature yet, Files by Google on Android fills the gap perfectly until you get the update with the native option.
Thanks to the built-in scanner, the editor with cropping and filters, and the PDF generation, WhatsApp consolidates its position as a complete tool for managing paper on the go.Between iPhone availability, the ongoing rollout, and robust Android alternatives, you can now digitize documents with clear results and immediate delivery, keeping your conversations and documentation unified in one place.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.