Where do Scanned documents go on Android

On Android phones, the location where scanned documents are saved can vary based on the scanning app being used and the settings configured within those apps. It can also depend on what brand phone you have since the default app for files could vary slightly.

If you have an Apple device, check out this article to find where do scanned documents go in their software.

If you are looking for your scanned documents in a Windows computer, click here.

Cloud Storage

A common method to scan documents on Android is by using a cloud storage app like Google Drive. Whether or not your file is saved here depends on the settings of your scanning app and your phone. If most of your files automatically get saved to your Google Drive this might be a good place to start looking.



Scan with Google Drive

Once you open the Google Drive app, you can tap on the large Plus button located at the bottom right corner of your screen, then tap on the "Scan" button to initiate the scanning process. Scanned documents are then saved in Google Drive, and you can create a new folder for storing your scanned documents if desired.

Using Other Scanning Apps

When Using a Samsung Phone to Scan

On Samsung devices, when you point your phone at a document, the scanner will show a yellow rectangle around the document, and a Scan button will appear. By tapping on the Scan button, you initiate the scanning process. The exact saving location can again vary, and you may need to check the settings within the scanning app to determine where the scanned documents are being saved​.



How to search for scanned documents on Android using File Explorer

If you just created a scan and you can't find the document in your Google Drive or in the scan app itself then you should start looking in the file explorer.

Built-in File Explorer: Android devices come with a built-in file explorer which you can use to navigate through the folders and files stored on your device. To access it:

Unlock your device and go to the main menu. Locate and tap on the file manager app (the name and icon might vary, e.g., "Files", "My Files", "File Manager").

Once inside the file manager, you can navigate to the Downloads, Scans, Images, or Documents folder to look for scanned documents​ depending on where you expect the document to be. For example, if you used your camera it might be under photos but if it is a PDF file it might be under documents.

Alternatively, you can try and use the Search Functionality: Many Android file explorers have a search function. Tap on the search icon, usually shaped like a magnifying glass, found at the top-right corner of the screen.

A search bar will appear where you can type the name of the document or the file extension (e.g., ".pdf" or ".jpeg") to find scanned documents​.

If your device doesn’t have a built-in file explorer, or you prefer a different interface, there are numerous third-party file explorer apps available on the Google Play Store that you can download and use. They usually have similar functionality to built-in file explorers, including search functionality​. Please note to be careful before downloading any app, do your research, and make sure you trust the app before downloading.

Files by Google App is another option to find files on your Android device easily. It has over 1 billion downloads. Once you open the app, ensure you're on the "Browse" tab, tap the folder that you want to search in, or use the search functionality as described above to find your document.