WhatsApp’s Document Scanning Feature Nears Official Launch as Beta Expands
It looks like WhatsApp is getting closer to launching its native document scanning feature for Android , as more beta users are now reporting access to it. This new tool will let users scan physical documents using their phone’s camera and instantly convert them into PDFs — all within the WhatsApp app.
According to reports from WABetaInfo, the feature includes two scanning modes : manual and automatic.
- In manual mode , users have full control over framing the document, allowing them to adjust the angle, lighting, and positioning for a clearer image.
- The automatic mode , on the other hand, detects the edges of the document by itself and captures the scan with minimal input, making the process quicker and easier.
Once the scan is complete, WhatsApp automatically converts the image into a PDF file , which can be shared instantly in any chat or group conversation. The recipient can open it without needing any additional apps.
🔐 Privacy First: Everything Stays Local
One of the standout features of this tool is that the entire scanning process happens locally on your device , using Android’s built-in document-capture API. The scanned file remains stored only on your phone until you choose to send it.
And just like regular messages on WhatsApp, once you share the PDF, it’s protected with end-to-end encryption , ensuring your data stays private. The only potential risk would be sending it to the wrong contact — something entirely up to the user.
🚀 Rolling Out Gradually
This feature was first spotted in beta versions a few weeks ago, and the latest updates show it’s now being made available to a wider group of testers. Once Meta completes testing across different devices, we can expect it to roll out to the stable version of WhatsApp for all users.
🎨 Bonus Feature: New Chat Themes Coming Soon?
In related news, beta versions of WhatsApp have also shown signs of new chat color themes being tested. While this feature hasn’t reached the stable release yet, it might be coming soon for those who enjoy customizing their chat appearance.
Stay tuned for these upcoming tools and make sure you’re part of the beta program if you want early access. For most users, though, it’s only a matter of time before these features become widely available.
📱 Have you seen the document scanner in your WhatsApp beta yet? Let us know in the comments below!
