How to scan documents with your phone and save them as PDF
Note: This guide offers general information. Check the file and authentication requirements of the organization or service receiving your document.
A phone camera can be enough for many everyday document scans. Good light, a steady angle and a quick review make the result easier to read. You can then combine the page images into a PDF and check the file before sharing it.
Prepare the page and the light
Place the document on a flat surface with a background that contrasts with the paper. Use even light and move your hand or phone so it does not cast a shadow.
Hold the phone parallel to the page. Tap the text on screen to focus, then check the edges and small print before taking the photo. Avoid glare from glossy or laminated pages.
Photograph the pages and review them
Photograph each page separately and keep the same orientation. If the document has a front and back, capture both and note the order.
Before making the PDF, discard blurred, cropped or unreadable photos. Retake a page if a signature, date or number is cut off; do not rely on sharpening to restore missing detail.
Create and check the PDF
Open an image-to-PDF tool in your phone browser, choose the photos in page order and create the file. The Portuguese version of the ConverteArq tool is available here.
Open the finished PDF and check every page, its orientation and the file name. If the receiving form limits file size, use a compression tool and review the result again; compression can affect image detail.
Protect personal information
Identity documents, bills and contracts may contain sensitive details. Use a service you can identify, share only what is required and remove temporary photos from the gallery when you no longer need them.
A scan is a copy for viewing or sharing; it does not automatically replace an original or satisfy a signature, certification or authentication requirement. Ask the receiving organization what it accepts.
Related guide
If the PDF is too large to send, see how to reduce a PDF file size.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make a phone scan easier to read?
Use even light, keep the phone parallel to the paper, focus on the text and check the image at full size. Retake pages with glare, blur or cropped edges.
Can I scan several pages into one PDF?
Yes. Select the page images in the correct order in an image-to-PDF tool, then open the PDF and verify the sequence.
Does a phone scan replace an original document?
Not in every situation. Requirements depend on the receiving organization and the applicable process; confirm whether it needs an original, certified copy or a particular signature.