Scan documents using the Dropbox mobile app

You can use the document scanning feature in the Dropbox mobile app to scan files directly to your Dropbox account or convert existing files to scans.

Note: The Dropbox Scan app has been removed from the iOS App Store.  If you currently have it installed on your iOS mobile device, you can continue to use it, but it will no longer be supported. To scan documents on a mobile device, use the document scanning feature in the Dropbox mobile app.

Scan a new file to your Dropbox account

To scan a new file to your Dropbox account:

1. Open the Dropbox app on your mobile device.
2. Tap the + (plus) icon.
3. Tap Scan Document.
4. Either take a picture of the content you’d like to scan, or select an existing image on your mobile device.
5. If desired, make edits or scan additional pages.
6. Tap Next.
7. If desired, make adjustments to the save settings.
8. Tap Save.

Not using Dropbox yet? Learn all about the doc scanner.

Convert an image in your Dropbox account to a scan

To convert an image in your Dropbox account to a scan:

1. Open the Dropbox app on your mobile device.
2. Tap "..." (ellipsis) next to the name of the file you’d like to convert to a scan.
3. Tap Save as Scan.
4. If desired, make edits or scan additional pages.
5. Tap Next.
6. If desired, make adjustments to the save settings.
7. Tap Save.

Note: The image must be a .jpg, .jpeg, or .png to convert to a scan.

Edit, arrange, and add additional pages to a scan

After your scan is created, the next screen is the Edit view. From the Edit view you can:

• Add additional pages to your scan. To do so, tap the add more pages icon (two pages with a plus sign). Multi-page scans can only be saved as a .pdf file.
• Edit your scan or add a filter. To do so, tap the icon with the three sliders at the bottom of the screen.
• Reorder the pages of your scan. Tap Arrange (beside Edit) and long press a page to drag and reorder it.

Tips for a better scan

If you choose to take a picture, point your camera at the object you want to scan. A border outlines the shape you’re scanning. Make sure:

• Your document is not crumpled
• There is no glare on what you’re photographing
• You hold your device directly above what you’re photographing
• To include only what you want to scan

For Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers

Dropbox Plus, Family, Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers can search the contents of scanned documents in their Dropbox account (see supported file types below). Dropbox Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise customers who linked their work and personal accounts also have access to full-text search for their personal account.

The following content types are supported:

• Documents written in English
• Typed documents

The following content types are not supported:

• Scans created by a third-party document scanner
• Documents written in a language other than English
• Handwritten documents
• File types other than .pdf
• Documents with overly stylized text