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To scan a paper page on a Samsung Galaxy, use the Camera app’s document-scan control, review and save the capture, then attach the saved image to Samsung Notes. On some devices and software versions, Camera can also recognize text and send it directly to a new note. The available controls and menu names vary by model, Android/One UI version, and region.
How do I scan a document on my Samsung Galaxy?
Check whether document scanning is enabled
Open Camera and look for a scan control when the page is in view. If it does not appear, check Camera settings for a document-scanning option. The exact label and location are not universal: Samsung’s instructions describe different menus for different software versions and regions. For example, Samsung’s Android 14, 15, and 16 guidance describes enabling “Scan documents and text” in Camera settings, while its Galaxy S26 instructions apply to Australian variants and use Camera settings → Scanning.
On supported Galaxy phones, Samsung says document scanning is available with Android 12 and later, but that does not mean every model has identical controls. The Galaxy S26 Australian guide lists separate switches for document scans, text scans, and QR scans. If you use another model or region, follow the labels shown on your own device rather than assuming that path applies.
Capture and save the page
- Place the document on a flat surface in good, even light.
- Open Camera and frame the entire page. Hold the phone steady and wait for the scan control to appear.
- Tap the scan control and review the detected page and crop. Adjust or retake the scan if the edges are missing or the page is not framed correctly.
- Save the scan. In Samsung’s US workflow, the saved image goes to Gallery.
Samsung says its scan processing can align rectangular page edges and remove some shadows or unwanted objects, such as a hand in the frame. Treat the preview as a check, not a guarantee: Samsung cautions that strongly curved or deformed surfaces may not be fully corrected. Flatten the page where possible and inspect the saved result before relying on it.
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How do I scan notes into Samsung Notes?
Attach a saved scan from Gallery
- Open Samsung Notes and create a note, or open the note where you want the scan.
- Choose Attach, then Image and Gallery.
- Select the saved scan and confirm. The scan is added to the note as an image.
You can then write or draw in the note. Samsung also describes an in-app camera option for attaching a paper scan directly, but the available controls can differ by device and Notes version. If you do not see that option, scan in Camera and attach the saved image instead.
Use text recognition when you need copied text
A scan image and recognized text are different results. The image preserves the page’s appearance; recognized text can be copied and edited as text. Samsung’s Russia support guide describes a Camera text-scan workflow on supported software: use the text control, select a region or copy all recognized text in the preview, and, where offered, choose To note to create a Samsung Notes note. These controls are version-dependent and may not be available on your Galaxy. If they are missing, use the image-attachment workflow or copy text only if your device exposes recognition.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Should I save a page image or extract its text?
| What you need | Use this path | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| A visual copy of the paper page | Scan in Camera, save to Gallery, then attach the image in Samsung Notes | An image of the page inside your note; it is not editable source text. |
| Text you can copy into a note | Use Camera’s text-recognition control if your device and software provide it | Recognized text, which can be copied or sent to a note; availability varies. |
Choose the image route for handwritten notes, diagrams, layouts, or a record where the page’s original appearance matters. Choose text recognition when you need selectable text, and proofread the result against the paper before using it: recognition is not the same as a verified transcription.
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How do I save a Samsung Notes scan as a PDF?
To export the note, including a scan image attached to it, open the note and select More options → Save as file → PDF. Choose a folder and save. Samsung notes that labels may vary by version. Exporting creates a PDF file from the note; it does not turn the scanned image into editable text.
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Can I annotate a PDF in Samsung Notes?
Yes. Samsung Notes can import a PDF and let you add text or drawings, then export the note as a PDF. The app works on a copy; it does not rewrite the original PDF’s underlying content. For example, markup added in Notes does not change the source PDF file.
Match the PDF page orientation to the note orientation. Samsung warns that a landscape note orientation cannot accept portrait PDFs or pages, and the reverse also applies. For documents with mixed orientations, use separate notes if needed rather than forcing mismatched pages into one note.
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- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Do I need an S Pen to scan or annotate?
No S Pen is required to scan, attach a page, or export a PDF. You can use touch input to work in Notes. A compatible S Pen is optional if you want more precise handwriting or drawing; compatibility depends on the exact Galaxy model. Samsung Notes also supports handwriting and describes converting handwriting to text on supported setups.
How do I share a scanned note?
Once the scan is saved or included in a note, use the sharing options available on your device. Samsung’s US scanning instructions describe sharing scans through Quick Share or cloud services including Samsung Cloud, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive. Availability can depend on your account, device, and regional software.
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
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