CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): Popular Meta-owned instant messaging app, WhatsApp, is rolling out a feature that allows users to scan documents with the camera directly from the app eliminating the need for any third-party scanning tools.
The feature introduces two distinct capture methods for users to choose from and is currently available to some beta testers.
Beta testers can explore the new feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.19.21 update after downloading it from the Google Play Store.
When choosing the “Scan document” option from the document-sharing interface, the phone’s camera is activated right away, displaying a live preview that helps users position the document correctly for capture.
The scanning experience aims to cater to different user needs and usage situations.
The app offers two distinct capture methods, giving users the freedom to choose what works best for them.
Manual capture lets the users decide the exact moment the photo is taken. This can help when careful positioning or lighting adjustments are required to get a high-quality scan.
On the other hand, the automatic mode streamlines the process by detecting the edges of the document on its own and snapping the image without user input, offering a quicker experience when time is limited.
WhatsApp immediately processes the image
In both scenarios, WhatsApp immediately processes the image after capturing it, regardless of the selected mode, and converts it into a PDF file, quite ready for sharing whether in a private chat or a group conversation.
The resulting file stays stored on the device until the user decides to send it through WhatsApp.
The new feature will be extended to even more people over the coming weeks.
