While scanning documents was a chore back in the day, smartphones have turned it into a relatively easy task. However, there are scanner apps out there that can do much more than just scan a few random documents here and there.
These apps use the camera on your phone and usually combine some form of AR techniques with unique features. Some of them can help you solve math problems, translate languages, and even help you out while doing the laundry. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Laundry Lens
Laundry Lens is a great companion to have on your iPhone while you are doing the laundry. The concept is simple; just point your phone's camera at the laundry label on your clothes, and it will present you with proper instructions on washing (or drying) those garments.
If you swipe up, you can also manually check out the laundry symbols to match them with the ones on the label. The app includes a complete list of every symbol that tells you how to wash, dry, iron, and bleach your clothes. You no longer have to guess the meaning of every symbol on the care label of your clothes.
Download: Laundry Lens (Free)
2. Highlighted
Highlighted is an app that helps you remember important highlights from every book you read. It allows you to save highlighted text from your favorite books to your iPhone. Just open the app, point the camera at the text you want to highlight, and select the text you want to save by dragging your finger along the screen.
You can add custom tags and notes to these highlights and share them directly from the app. Apart from that, you can add books manually or scan their ISBN. This allows you to organize different notes and highlights for every book.
Download: Highlighted (Free)
3. CamScanner
CamScanner is one of the best scanner apps for your smartphone. It makes scanning, saving, and sharing documents extremely simple. You can scan any document out there and instantly convert it into a PDF, JPG, Word, or TXT file.
The app allows you to scan multiple documents at once, and you can group all of them together into one neat PDF. It is great for scanning ID cards, passports, QR Codes, vouchers, and more. CamScanner also includes filters that make reading the text you just scanned easier. It's also a great way to store digital copies of all your important documents.
Download: CamScanner (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Photomath
If you're struggling with your math homework as a student, Photomath is one of those apps that can help you solve math problems. This app uses your iPhone's camera to scan math problems from your notebook and then provides you with the solution.
Apart from providing the solution, it also walks you through all the steps and tells you about the concepts involved in solving that problem. The app also features an in-depth library of guides and explanations on various topics.
It features animations, verbal descriptions, and visual solutions, so it covers all the bases. Therefore, it's a must-have for students of all ages.
Download: Photomath (Free, subscription available)
5. Google Translate
You're probably already aware of Google Translate and know how to use it. But if you're traveling to another country and are struggling to read the signs, you can open the app to translate it into English (or your language of choice). Just tap the Camera button and quickly scan text from almost any surface.
The app requires minimal input, as it quickly detects the language and translates it without any prompts. It's also an excellent app to have on hand if you are trying to learn a new language. Google Translate is a great example of the application of AR in our daily lives.
Download: Google Translate (Free)
6. Filmory
Do you have any old analog films lying around? If so, Filmory is an iOS app that can help you scan, save, and share those negative photos. It's an AI-powered tool that can detect and crop analog films and reveal real images in high quality. After you're done scanning, images are saved to an album instantly.
However, to scan these images, you'll need a backlight source. Fortunately, the app provides a site that can work as one on your computer screen. Just hold the film vertically in front of the backlight source, press a button to scan it, and check out the result. You can also apply filters and edit the images after scanning.
Download: Filmory (Free, subscription available)
7. Zoho Expense
Zoho Expense is an expense-tracking app that goes deeper than just letting you keep track of your monthly budget. Firstly, you can use the receipt scanner to scan receipts on the go, and it will automatically record those expenses. The app then gives you a detailed report on each purchase so that you can keep up with prior expenses.
You can also create itineraries for a business trip, connect personal or corporate credit cards, and track every transaction that comes and goes through those cards. On top of that, you can also record and apply cash advances to expense reports. Finally, the app's AI assistant, Zia, gives you quick insights and suggestions on all your personal and business expenses.
Download: Zoho Expense (Free, subscription available)
Automate Everyday Tasks With These Scanner Apps
It is interesting how simple yet effective most of these apps can be. Once you start using them, it's hard to go back, considering how well they automate simple tasks. Doing laundry, tracking expenses, and scanning documents are all things we do regularly, and these apps make that just a tad bit easier.
As an iPhone user, you can take advantage of a built-in feature known as Live Text. The feature lets you point your camera at any kind of text, copy it, and then paste it into supported apps. It's similar to Google Lens in many ways and worth checking out, especially if your device is running iOS 16 or later.