How to scan a document to PDF with a phone
- 1On your phone, tap to choose files and pick Camera (or Take Photo) to photograph each page, or choose photos you've already taken.
- 2Put the pages in order. Choose A4 or US Letter and a small margin for a document-like result.
- 3Create the PDF and download or share it.
Why use PDF Workdesk for Images to PDF
- Runs in your browser: your files are never uploaded
- Free, with no sign-up and no daily limit
- No watermark on the result
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad
Tips for a clean scan
Lay the page flat on a dark surface, in daylight or bright, even light, and hold the phone straight above it so the page fills the frame. Turning off the flash avoids a glare spot.
This makes a PDF from your photos as they are. It doesn't crop, straighten or recognise text, so frame each page well. If the PDF is large, run it through Compress PDF before sending it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a scanning app?
No. Your browser can open the phone's camera directly.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. The PDF is made on your phone, which is what you want for IDs, payslips and signed forms.
Can I search the text in the PDF?
Not yet. The pages are photos; text recognition (OCR) is coming soon.
The PDF is too big to send.
Use Compress PDF on Balanced. Phone photos shrink a lot without becoming hard to read.