How to Use Document Scanner in WhatsApp?

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WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, continues to evolve and add features that enhance the user experience. With over two billion users worldwide, the app has become essential for daily communication.

Recently, WhatsApp rolled out a new feature for iPhone users that allows them to scan and share documents directly within the app. This update eliminates the need for third-party scanning apps, making the process more seamless and efficient.

In this article, I’ll explain how to use the new document scanning feature in WhatsApp, step by step, and what it means for iPhone users.

The Problem with Third-Party Scanning Apps

Before this update, WhatsApp users needed to use third-party apps to scan documents. Here’s the usual process:

Open a scanning app.
Scan the document.
Save it to your device’s storage.
Go back to WhatsApp and select the file to share.

While this method works, it’s a bit time-consuming and requires switching between apps. WhatsApp’s new feature solves this by integrating the scanning functionality directly into the app.

How to Scan Documents on WhatsApp

If you’re an iPhone user, here’s how you can start scanning documents directly from WhatsApp without using any third-party apps.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp

First, launch the WhatsApp app on your iPhone. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed, as this feature may not appear if you’re using an outdated version.

Step 2: Start a Chat

Open a chat with the person or group you want to send the document to. If you’re just testing the feature, you can open a conversation with yourself or a friend.

Step 3: Tap the “+” Icon

On the bottom bar of the screen, you’ll see a small “Plus” (+) icon. This is your gateway to adding attachments.

Step 4: Select “Documents”

When you tap the “Plus” icon, you will see several options. Select Documents from the list. This will open a menu with different options for attaching files.

Step 5: Choose “Scan Document”

At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see three options:

Choose from files
Choose photo or video
Scan document

Tap on Scan document to begin using the built-in scanner.

Step 6: Scan Your Document

Once you select “Scan document,” the in-app camera will open. Position the document in front of your phone’s camera. WhatsApp will automatically detect the edges of the document and crop it for you. You can also manually adjust the corners if necessary.

Tap the shutter button to capture the scan. WhatsApp will then present you with the scanned document.

Step 7: Review and Share

After scanning, you’ll have the option to review the document before sharing it. If everything looks good, tap Send, and your document will be sent to the recipient immediately.

Benefits of Using WhatsApp’s Built-in Document Scanner

The new document scanning feature offers several advantages:

No Need for Third-Party Apps
You no longer need to leave WhatsApp to scan and send documents. Everything is done within the app itself.
Faster and More Efficient
The whole process becomes quicker. You can scan and send documents in just a few taps, saving time.
Seamless Integration
The scanner works well with WhatsApp’s existing file-sharing system. There’s no need to save documents separately or worry about format compatibility.
Privacy and Security
Since the scanning feature is built into WhatsApp, there’s no need to rely on third-party apps that may require additional permissions or could compromise your privacy.

Availability of the Feature

Currently, this new document scanner feature is being rolled out gradually for iPhone users. If you don’t see the option right away, don’t worry. It will likely appear in a future update.

As of now, it’s unclear when or if this feature will be available for Android users. For Android, users will have to continue using third-party apps for scanning documents in WhatsApp.

Conclusion

The new document scanning feature on WhatsApp for iPhone users is a highly anticipated and useful update. It streamlines the process of sharing documents by eliminating the need for external apps. With just a few taps, users can scan and send documents directly from the app, making WhatsApp an even more powerful tool for communication.

If you haven’t received the update yet, it should be rolling out soon, so keep an eye out for it in the app store!