CamScanner had a widely reported Android malware incident in the past, so it’s normal to look for safer, modern alternatives.
This updated list focuses on options that are well-documented by the vendors themselves, easy to use, and still relevant as of Feb 20, 2026.
Quick picks
- Best “already have it” option on Android: Google Drive’s built‑in document scanner.
- Best built-in option on iPhone/iPad: Apple Notes (Scan Documents).
- Best “scanner-first” app with OCR + PDF workflow: Adobe Scan (especially on Android; iPhone availability varies by region—verify).
- Good alternative: Tap Scanner is undoubtedly a good alternative to CamScanner, especially for those who do not want to lose the features this app offers.
Before you choose (2-minute checklist)
Pick based on where you want the files to end up:
- Google ecosystem (Gmail/Drive sharing, quick cloud saves): Google Drive scanning is straightforward on Android.
- Apple ecosystem (save inside Notes, quick signing/markup): Notes supports scanning documents directly into a note.
- PDF-heavy workflows (OCR/search, Adobe tools): Adobe Scan converts images to PDF and supports OCR text recognition.
1) Google Drive (Android) — simplest for most people
Google’s official help doc shows scanning directly inside the Google Drive Android app: open Drive → tap the camera/scan option → capture → save.
Google also documents a “Drive scan” widget you can add to your Android home screen for faster access.
As of Feb 2026: iPhone note
Google Drive scanning on iOS is reportedly rolling out, so it may not appear for every iPhone user at the same time.
How to verify: open Google Drive on iPhone → look for “Scan” under the + / New button; if it’s missing, update the app and check again later.
2) Apple Notes (iPhone/iPad) — built-in and surprisingly good
Apple documents scanning in Notes: open a note → tap the attachments/camera options → “Scan Documents” → the scan can auto-capture and you can adjust corners and keep the scan.
Apple also documents signing a scanned document inside Notes using Markup/signature tools.
How to verify: on iPhone/iPad, open Notes and follow Apple’s steps; if “Scan Documents” isn’t present, check Screen Time/MDM restrictions or update iOS/iPadOS.
3) Adobe Scan — best when you need OCR + a PDF workflow
Adobe’s documentation states Adobe Scan converts images to PDF, saves them to Adobe cloud storage, and is “empowered with OCR” for automatic text recognition.
It’s a strong pick if you care about turning paper into searchable text, or you already use Acrobat/Adobe tools.
Needs verification: “Adobe Scan is available on iPhone in your country.”
How to verify: search “Adobe Scan” in the Apple App Store for your region and confirm the publisher is Adobe.
What about Microsoft Lens (Office Lens)?
Microsoft says Microsoft Lens will be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store on February 9, 2026, and it points users to OneDrive as the recommended alternative.
It may no longer be installable for new users, and it’s not a future-proof recommendation.
How to verify: check Microsoft’s current support docs for scanning in OneDrive/Microsoft 365 on your platform, then do one test scan end-to-end (scan → export PDF → share).
FAQ
Is CamScanner “safe” now?
CamScanner’s Android app was widely reported to contain malicious code at the time of the incident, and the developer said a new version removed it.
If you still want to use it, verify the current listing in Google Play (publisher, permissions, recent reviews) and prefer reputable alternatives when handling sensitive documents.
What is OCR, and do these apps have it?
OCR is optical character recognition—turning text in an image into machine-readable text you can search/copy.
Adobe Scan explicitly documents OCR-based text recognition in its scanning workflow.
I just need a quick PDF. What’s the fastest option?
On Android, Google Drive’s scan flow is a few taps and is documented by Google.
On iPhone/iPad, Apple Notes scanning is built in and documented by Apple.
Why don’t you recommend random “Office Lens” clones on Google Play?
Some apps reuse familiar names, which can confuse users and make it harder to confirm the app’s publisher.
How to verify: check the publisher name, the official website link in the store listing, and whether the vendor has official support docs for the product.
Does Google Drive scanning work on iPhone?
The Verge reports Google has been rolling out Drive scanning on iOS, but availability can vary.
How to verify: update Google Drive and check whether “Scan” appears under + / New.
What should I use for sensitive documents (IDs, contracts)?
Prefer built-in scanners (Apple Notes) or well-documented vendor apps (Google Drive / Adobe Scan) and avoid sideloaded APKs.
Needs verification: your organization’s policy (some workplaces require specific apps); How to verify: ask IT or consult your policy docs.
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