Did you know that WhatsApp now allows you to scan documents and send them directly to other users? Yes, you can capture anything and share a digital PDF version of that document with anyone, anywhere. If you’ve been wondering how to do this, you’re in the right place. This guide shows you how to use WhatsApp’s built-in document scanning feature on both iPhone and Android to quickly send digital copies of physical documents.
While there are plenty of alternatives—Apple’s Notes app, the Files app on iOS, Google Drive’s scanner, and dedicated apps like Microsoft Lens—the easiest option is to scan directly through WhatsApp. Since most of your contacts probably use WhatsApp anyway, scanning and sharing without leaving the app saves time and hassle. Plus, the scanned document is automatically converted to PDF format, so it opens perfectly on iPhone, iPad, Android, and computers.
Let’s walk through the steps.
Table of Contents
How to Scan Documents via WhatsApp on iPhone [2026 Updated]
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and select your chat
Launch WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business on your iPhone and open the chat where you want to send the scanned document (either a one-on-one conversation or a group).
Step 2: Access the document scanner
Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the screen (the attachment button). From the menu that appears, select Document, then tap Scan Document. You’ll see two scanning modes available.
Step 3: Choose your scanning mode
By default, Auto mode is selected. In this mode, WhatsApp automatically detects and captures the document when you point your camera at it—perfect for scanning multiple pages quickly. If you prefer more control, you can switch to Manual mode by tapping the “Auto” button at the top and selecting “Manual.”
Step 4: Scan your document (Auto Mode)
- Point your iPhone camera at your physical document
- WhatsApp recognizes the document edges and automatically highlights them with a blue outline
- Keep the camera steady until the scan completes automatically
- The app will capture the scan without you needing to tap anything
- Continue scanning additional pages the same way—they’ll all be added to one PDF
Optional: While scanning, you can:
- Turn on the flashlight by tapping the flash icon (useful for low-light documents)
- Apply filters like black-and-white to improve clarity
Step 5: Review and edit your scans
- After scanning, tap the thumbnail preview at the bottom left to see all your pages
- For each page, you can:
- Crop or trim edges by dragging the corner points
- Rotate pages if they’re sideways
- Apply filters (Color, Grayscale, Black & White, or Photo mode)
- Delete pages you don’t need by swiping and tapping the trash icon
- When satisfied with all edits, tap Done
Step 6: Save and send as PDF
- Tap the Save button
- WhatsApp automatically converts all scanned pages into a single PDF file
- Add a caption if you want (optional)
- Tap Send to share the PDF with your recipient
How to Scan Documents via WhatsApp on Android? [2026 New Feature]
Important update for 2026: WhatsApp finally rolled out document scanning for Android after initially only supporting it on iPhone. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and select your chat
Launch WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business on your Android device and open the chat where you want to send the document.
Step 2: Access the document scanner
Tap the attachment icon (paperclip icon) at the bottom of the chat. From the menu that appears, select Document, and you’ll now see a Scan Document option at the bottom. Tap it.
Step 3: Choose your scanning mode
Similar to iPhone, you’ll see Auto mode selected by default. For more control over when the app captures each page, tap to switch to Manual mode.
Step 4: Scan your document (Auto Mode)
- Point your Android camera at the document
- WhatsApp detects the document edges automatically
- The app captures the scan without requiring you to tap anything
- Continue scanning multiple pages—they’ll all merge into one PDF
Step 5: Review and adjust
- Tap the preview thumbnail to see all scanned pages
- You can:
- Crop and adjust edges
- Rotate pages if needed
- Apply filters (Color, Grayscale, Black & White, or Photo)
- Delete unnecessary pages
- Tap Done when finished editing
Step 6: Send the PDF
- Tap Save
- WhatsApp converts the scans into a PDF file
- Add a caption if desired
- Tap Send
Using Manual Mode (Both iPhone & Android)
If Auto mode feels too quick or you want full control over each scan:
Step 1: Before scanning, tap the “Auto” button and select “Manual”
Step 2: Point your camera at the document
Step 3: When WhatsApp recognizes the document, tap the shutter button to capture
Step 4: Adjust the corners and angles manually if needed
Step 5: Tap Keep Scan or Save
Step 6: Repeat for each page, then click Done and Send
Why WhatsApp’s Scanner is Better Than Third-Party Apps?
- Seamless integration: Scan, edit, and send all in one app—no switching between multiple tools
- No ads: Unlike CamScanner or other third-party apps, WhatsApp’s scanner is completely ad-free
- Built-in encryption: All documents are end-to-end encrypted, keeping your sensitive files secure
- Instant PDF conversion: Scans automatically become PDFs—no extra steps needed
- Free and always available: No subscriptions, paywalls, or premium features
Troubleshooting Tips
Scanner not appearing? Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed. Updates roll out gradually, so if you don’t see the feature yet, check for pending app updates in your device’s app store.
Scan quality is blurry? Ensure your document is on a flat surface with good lighting. The black-and-white filter often improves clarity for text-heavy documents.
Document not being recognized? Make sure the entire document fits in the blue outline frame, and hold your device steady—shaky hands cause recognition delays.
Can’t save as PDF? Check that you have sufficient storage space on your device. If you’re running low on storage, delete unnecessary files first.
Bottom Line
WhatsApp’s built-in document scanner eliminates the need for separate apps and makes sharing documents incredibly convenient. Whether you’re on iPhone or Android (in 2026), you can scan invoices, receipts, contracts, IDs, handwritten notes, or any physical document directly through WhatsApp and convert it to PDF instantly. The intuitive interface, multiple filter options, and seamless sharing make it the easiest way to digitize and share documents on the go. No downloads needed, no ads to deal with, no third-party apps cluttering your phone—just scan and send.
