No need for a bulky scanner: your phone already does the job. Whether you’re digitizing an invoice, a contract, or a business card, you can scan a document in seconds and save it as a PDF, for free. Here are the best methods in 2026.
Quick answer: To scan a document for free, the method Microsoft now recommends is the OneDrive app (iOS and Android): open it, tap the camera / scan button, frame your document, and save it as a PDF in the cloud. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app and your phone’s built-in tools work too.
Method 1: The OneDrive app (recommended)
This is the method Microsoft now recommends for scanning a document. The OneDrive app is free on iOS and Android.
- Open the OneDrive app and sign in.
- Tap the camera button (scan).
- Choose the type: document, whiteboard, business card, or photo.
- Frame your document and take the photo. OneDrive detects the edges automatically.
- Add more pages if needed (multi-page scans become a single PDF), then save to OneDrive.
Your documents are saved to the cloud, so you can access them from any device.
Method 2: The Microsoft 365 Copilot app
In the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, under the Documents tab, tap Scan text, then photograph a document with text on it. The recognized text opens directly in Word, ready to edit and save to OneDrive or your phone. Handy when you need the actual text, not just an image.
Method 3: Your phone’s built-in tools
Your phone can also scan without any extra app:
- iPhone: the Notes or Files app lets you scan documents to PDF.
- Android: the Google Drive app has a built-in scan button.
Note: the older Microsoft Lens app was pulled from app stores on February 9, 2026. Microsoft now recommends using OneDrive instead.
3 tips for a clean scan
- Place the document on a flat, well-lit surface.
- Avoid shadows: face the light source instead of standing with your back to it.
- Check that all four corners are inside the frame before capturing.
Frequently asked questions
Is scanning really free?
Yes. The OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Copilot apps are free to download, and basic scanning costs nothing with a Microsoft account.
Can I scan multiple pages into a single PDF?
Yes. OneDrive supports multi-page scanning: add each page, then save everything as one PDF file.
Where do my scanned documents go?
With OneDrive, they’re saved to your cloud storage, backed up, and accessible from your computer as well as your phone.
Equip your team with Microsoft 365
Want to get the most out of OneDrive and Microsoft 365 at your company? Contact OKTO Solutions or check out our services.