# How to scan a document to PDF on Android

> To scan a document to PDF on Android, open Scanly, let it detect the page edges, capture each page, adjust the crop and filter, and export the pages as one PDF. Scanly is free, works offline and adds no watermark.

A photo of a page is not the same as a clean scan. The page is often tilted, the edges are uneven, the background shows, and the file is larger than it needs to be. A document scanner app fixes those problems by flattening each page and bundling several pages into one PDF.

This guide shows how to do that with Scanly, a free, open-source scanner for Android 10 and later. Scanning, editing and text recognition all run on your phone, so your documents are not uploaded unless you choose to share them. No account or sign-up is needed.

## How to scan a document to PDF on Android

1. **Open Scanly and start a scan.** Open Scanly and start a new scan from the camera screen. Point the camera at the page and wait for the app to show the page edges.
2. **Capture the page.** Let auto-capture take the photo once the page is steady, or tap the shutter yourself. Use the torch, grid or tap to focus if the image looks off.
3. **Add the other pages.** Capture the next page in the same session. To redo one page, retake it from the page list instead of starting over.
4. **Adjust the crop.** Drag the four corner handles so they sit on the page edges. Use perspective correction to straighten a tilted page, use AI Detect if the edges are not found correctly, and rotate left or right when needed.
5. **Choose a filter.** Pick a filter such as Auto, Magic Color, Grayscale or B&W, and adjust its intensity. Apply it to all pages so the document looks consistent.
6. **Export as PDF.** Export the pages as a PDF. You can add page numbers, set orientation to auto, portrait or landscape, choose a print page size or auto-fit, adjust margins, and add an optional open password. Then share the file from the Android share sheet or save it to Downloads/Scanly or a folder you choose.

## Tips for a clean scan

- Lighting: scan in even daylight or a well-lit room. Keep your own shadow off the page and avoid glare from glossy paper. The torch helps in dim rooms, but it can also cause reflections.
- Flat surface: lay the page on a table and hold the phone parallel to it. Edges and corners are detected more reliably when the whole page is flat and in frame.
- Contrast: put a light page on a darker surface so the edges stand out. If Scanly reports that the page is too dark, blurry, or the lens is covered, fix that and capture again.
- Multi-page documents: keep one session open and capture the pages in order. You can retake a single page without starting the document again.
- File size: large photos add up. If the finished PDF is too big to email, use the Compress tool in Scanly's PDF tools after you export.

## Alternative: the Google Drive scanner

If you already use Google Drive, its built-in scanner can also make a PDF. It needs a Google account and saves the scan to your Google Drive, which suits people who want the file in the cloud from the start.

If you would rather keep documents on your phone without an account, Scanly does the same job offline and saves to its on-device library or to a folder you choose.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I scan a document to PDF on Android for free?

Open Scanly, capture each page, adjust the crop and filter, and export the document as a PDF. Scanly is free, with no ads, no watermark and no account, and scanning and export work offline.

### Does Scanly add a watermark to scanned PDFs?

No. Scanly does not add a watermark to scans. The only watermark you get is one you add yourself with the Watermark tool.

### Can I scan several pages into one PDF on Android?

Yes. Scanly keeps multi-page sessions, so you can capture several pages, retake any of them, reorder pages by dragging them, and export everything as one PDF.

### Do I need internet or an account to scan a document?

No. Scanning, editing, storage and text recognition run on your phone, and no account is required. The app uses the internet only for optional update checks and links.

### Where are my scanned PDFs saved?

Scans stay in Scanly's on-device library until you export them. You can share the PDF through the Android share sheet or save it to Downloads/Scanly or a folder you choose.

Get Scanly free on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.c1ph3rj.scanly

Last checked: 2026-10-22. Canonical: https://www.usescanly.co.in/scan-to-pdf-android