WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that will allow users to scan documents directly with their phone’s camera from within the app, eliminating the need for third-party scanning tools. This functionality is currently accessible to a select group of beta testers using the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.19.21 update, available for download from the Google Play Store.
Upon selecting the “Scan document” option from the document-sharing interface, the phone’s camera will activate immediately, providing a live preview to help users correctly position the document for capture.
The scanning experience is designed with user flexibility in mind, offering two distinct capture methods:
- Manual Capture: For users who prefer greater control, this mode allows them to decide the exact moment the photo is taken. This is particularly useful when precise positioning or lighting adjustments are required to achieve a high-quality scan.
- Automatic Mode: This streamlines the process by automatically detecting the edges of the document and snapping the image without user input. This offers a quicker experience, especially when time is a constraint.
Regardless of the chosen mode, after capturing the image, WhatsApp will immediately process it and convert it into a PDF file, ready for instant sharing in both private and group conversations. The entire scanning and conversion workflow is performed locally on the user’s device, leveraging Android’s built-in APIs for document capture. The resulting PDF file remains stored on the device until the user decides to send it via WhatsApp.
This new feature, aimed at providing a more seamless document-sharing experience, is expected to be rolled out to a broader user base over the coming weeks.
