To scan paper notes on a Samsung Galaxy, use the Camera app to capture the page, then attach the saved image to Samsung Notes. On some models and software versions, Camera can also recognize text and send it straight to a new note. You can annotate the note and export it as a PDF; the exact controls depend on your Galaxy model, software version and region.
How do I scan a document on my Samsung Galaxy?
Samsung’s document-scanning workflow starts in Camera on supported devices. For the cleanest result, place the page flat in good light and keep the phone steady.
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Open Camera and point it at the page.
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When the document-scan control appears, tap it to capture the page. Review the crop and alignment in the preview.
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Save the scan. Samsung says its camera scan can straighten rectangular pages and remove some shadows or unwanted objects, but check the saved image and retake it if the crop is wrong. See Samsung’s document-scanning instructions.
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The standard result is an image saved to Gallery—not automatically editable text in a note. Samsung says scans can be shared through Quick Share or cloud services such as Samsung Cloud, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive.
If the scan control does not appear
Check Camera settings for a document-scanning option and make sure it is enabled. The menu and availability vary by model, Android or One UI version, and region. Samsung Russia’s guide describes Android 12 and later support, with different setting names and workflows across releases; Samsung Australia’s Galaxy S26 instructions apply specifically to Australian variants and show Camera settings → Scanning. Do not assume that either region’s exact menu applies to every Galaxy. Samsung Russia’s guide and Samsung Australia’s Galaxy S26 guide show the version- and region-specific differences.
How do I scan notes into Samsung Notes?
First save a camera scan to Gallery, then insert that image into a note. Samsung also describes an in-app camera route for adding a paper scan, although the available controls can differ.
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- 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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Open Samsung Notes and create or open a note.
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Tap Attach, choose Image and then Gallery, select the scan, and confirm. Menu labels can vary by Notes version.
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Resize or position the image in the note, then add writing or drawings if needed. Samsung’s document-scanning guide covers attaching a saved scan; its Samsung Notes guide also describes adding an attachment or using the camera from within Notes.
A scan inserted this way remains a visual page image. If you need text you can edit or reuse as text, try text recognition instead.
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How do I scan text and copy it into a note?
On supported software, Camera can recognize text from a page. Samsung Russia’s instructions describe tapping a text-scan control, selecting text in the preview or copying all recognized text, and using To note to create a Samsung Notes note. The control is not guaranteed to appear on every Galaxy, so use the camera-image method above if your preview has no text-recognition option. Follow the steps in Samsung’s text and document scanning guide.
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How do I save a Samsung Notes scan as a PDF?
Samsung Notes exports the note as a PDF file. Open the note that contains your scan, tap More options, choose Save as file, select PDF, choose a folder, and save. Labels can differ by app version. Samsung’s guide to organizing notes and PDFs describes this export path.
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The exported PDF is a file copy of the note. If you have imported a PDF into Notes and added writing or drawings, those annotations can be included in the saved note PDF.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can I annotate a PDF in Samsung Notes?
Yes. Samsung Notes lets you add text or drawings to an imported PDF, but it does not rewrite the PDF’s underlying source text. Notes works on a copy, leaving the original PDF unchanged. For Samsung’s explanation, see Import and export PDFs with Samsung Notes.
Match the PDF and note orientation
Samsung warns that a landscape note orientation cannot accept portrait PDF pages, and a portrait note cannot accept landscape pages. Set the note to match the PDF before importing. For a document with mixed page orientations, use separate notes rather than relying on one orientation to accommodate both.
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Do I need an S Pen to scan or mark up notes?
No S Pen is needed to scan a page, attach it, or export a note as PDF. Finger input is enough for basic markup. A compatible S Pen is optional if you want more precise handwriting or drawing; Samsung Notes also supports typing and can convert handwriting to text on supported devices. Check compatibility for your exact Galaxy model before choosing a stylus. See Samsung’s Samsung Notes overview.
How to get a clearer scan
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Flatten the page and use even lighting before opening the camera preview.
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Inspect the crop and page edges before saving; retake the image if the scan cuts off text or includes too much background.
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Check the saved scan, especially if the page was curved or deformed. Samsung notes that correction may be incomplete on strongly curved surfaces.
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If you need searchable or reusable wording rather than a page image, use text recognition where your Camera app offers it.
The curved-page limitation and text-recognition workflow are described in Samsung Russia’s scanning guide.
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