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UPDF User Guide

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Scan to PDF

UPDF allows you to scan anything with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch camera and instantly convert it into a PDF file. You can also import files from the Photos app and add them to a UPDF folder. Additionally, it now supports scanning both sides of ID cards onto a single page of a PDF.

Here is how you can access this feature or you can watch the video below to learn more.

  • Open UPDF and tap the Scanner option in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
UPDF scanner
  • Alternatively, access this feature through the Files tab by tapping the "+" icon and selecting "Scan."
The entry of UPDF scanner
  • Now, hit the Camera icon and begin to scan whatever you like.
  • You can choose either an ID Card or a document using the scan type.
Choose scan type

1. ID Card Mode

You have to capture two images, one of the front and the second of the back of your card. UPDF will put both sides on one page in a PDF. You can also use this mode to scan bank cards or driver's licenses.

Notice

  • The top right corner has three dots that reveal the Auto-capturing option. You can enable or disable it based on your preferences.
  • Right beside it is the Flash icon that enables and disables Flash.
  • You also get an info option, which reveals the format of how your cards will appear after the scan: Driver License, Identification Card, and Bank Card.
  • At the bottom left corner, you have a gallery icon that enables uploading already-captured images for scanning instead of capturing new ones.

Follow the steps below to scan both sides of an ID Card/Driver License/Bank Card to one page:

Step 1. Choose the "ID Card" mode in UPDF and let UPDF capture your ID card through the camera. You have to capture the front and back sides of the ID card. Alternatively, you can select the pictures of your card from the gallery without scanning it.

Scan both sides of a card

Step 2. Once both sides of your card have been successfully captured, UPDF will display the images. If any images are unsatisfactory, you can delete them and capture them again. If everything looks correct, click the "Download" icon in the top-right corner to save the images.

download and save the captured image

Step 3. After saving, UPDF will return to the Scanner section interface. Click the three-dot icon next to the images you just captured and select "Convert to PDF." UPDF will then automatically convert the images into a single-page PDF. You can edit and print it with UPDF.

open the captured image PDF

2. Document Mode

This mode allows you to capture paper documents and convert them into PDFs. Similar to the ID Card mode, you have the option to toggle the flash on or off.

Method 1. Take Photos

Follow the steps below to capture a paper document and convert it to a PDF:

Step 1. Click on the drop-down icon at the top and select the Document mode.

Step 2. Use your camera to capture the images of the paper document. You can click on the three dots in the top right corner to enable or disable the auto-capturing and auto-cropping features. Enabling both features is recommended to avoid manually adjusting the captured images.

  • Auto-capturing: Automatically captures the document once it fits the scanning window.
  • Auto-cropping: Crops out the excess background, focusing only on the document.
Auto capture and auto crop

Step 3. After capturing the images, tap on the arrow icon in the lower-right corner.

Step 4. On the next screen, you can add, rotate, crop, filter, or delete images. You can also specify the paper size by manually entering it or selecting from options such as A4, A5, A3, Letter, Legal, Ledger, and Tabloid. The Filter option allows you to select a style: Photo, Black & White, Color, or Grayscale.

edit the scanned document

Step 5. Once you have finished customizing the settings, click the Download icon in the top-right corner to save your document.

Step 6. UPDF will return you to the Scanner tab interface. Click on the three dots next to your file and select "Convert to PDF." Your newly created PDF will be accessible in the Files tab.

Method 2. Select from the Gallery App

Step 1. Tap the Gallery app icon in the bottom-left corner under the Document mode.

Step 2. Select one or more images from your Photos or Albums section and tap Add on the top-right to import to UPDF.

Step 3. To save the image, tap the icon showing the number of active scans.

Step 4. Similar to step 4 introduced in method 1, you can now rotate or crop the image, add a filter, delete the scan, or add more images and scans to the queue.

Step 5. Finally, click the Download icon on the top right corner to add the files to UPDF. And UPDF will automatically open the created PDF for you.

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