WhatsApp to offer document scanning feature like CamScanner

In new WhatsApp update, selecting “Scan document” option in file-sharing menu would activate phone’s camera
An undated image. — Adobe Stock
An undated image. — Adobe Stock

App marketplaces across both Android and iOS are flooded with document scanners, but Meta-owned WhatsApp is on the verge of changing that, as it is developing a new document scanning feature for Android devices.

This means the upcoming document feature might render the popular CamScanner app unnecessary.

While it's in the latest beta update of the app, released via the Google Play Beta Program, WhatsApp's document scanning feature is said to be capable of scanning and sending documents directly within chats.

As reported by ProPakistani, the feature was previously introduced for iOS users earlier this year, and the Android version is expected to mirror its iOS counterpart, enabling users to scan documents using their phone’s camera.

In the new WhatsApp update, selecting a new “Scan document” option in the file-sharing menu would activate the phone’s camera with two capture modes: manual and automatic. Manual mode allows users to control when to take the photo for precise framing, while automatic mode detects document borders and captures images without user input, providing a quicker solution.

Once an image is captured, WhatsApp will automatically convert it into a PDF file, ready for sharing in chats or groups. 

This process is done using native Android APIs, ensuring that all operations take place on-device, with files being shared only when explicitly sent by users. 

Although the document scanning feature is not yet available on WhatsApp for public testing, it has been confirmed to have reached deep in development, with a full-fledged rollout expected in a future update.