How to Scan a Book: iPhone, Android and Professional Book Scanner? (Step by Step Guide)

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced work and study environments, digitizing physical books has become an important method for organizing materials and managing information. Whether it’s for backing up a personal library, archiving class notes, or converting documents into searchable electronic files, scanning to PDF or OCR (Optical Character Recognition) formats is a common and efficient practice.

Users have various tools available for book scanning. An iPhone or Android phone with scanning apps offers a convenient entry-level solution. Professional book scanners provide a more reliable option for those with higher demands for image quality and processing efficiency. This article will share the usage methods, suitable scenarios, and key operational points of different devices, focusing on how to achieve high-quality digitization while preserving the integrity of the books as much as possible.

Figure1-How to Scan a Book

Table of Contents

1. How to Scan a Book with an iPhone and Android？

You can easily scan books at home using your phone’s camera, which is convenient and won’t damage the book. iPhone users can install Scanner Pro， which quickly captures two-page spreads and efficiently recognizes text content.

If you have an iPhone but prefer not to install an app, you can use the Notes app. While Notes can produce high-quality scans, it lacks book-scanning features and cannot correct alignment around page creases.

1.1 A Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning Books with Scanner Pro（iPhone）

Step 1: Download and Install Scanner Pro

• Open the App Store and search for "Scanner Pro."

• Tap "Get" to download and install the app.

Figure2-Scanner Pro

Step 2: Prepare the Book and Shooting Environment

• Place the book flat on a clean, stable surface with the pages fully opened.

• Ensure the area is well-lit, using natural light or a desk lamp to minimize shadows and glare.

Tip: Align the orientation of your book and phone—both in portrait or landscape mode—to maximize the book’s coverage within the camera frame, achieving optimal scan quality.

Step 3: Launch Scanner Pro and Select Book Mode

Open the Scanner Pro app. Tap the large orange "+" button at the bottom right to start a new scan, then select the "Book" mode from the options at the bottom.

Step 4: Capture the Book Pages

Position your phone’s camera so the entire two-page spread fits within the frame, ensuring the text is clear and unobstructed by fingers. Scanner Pro will automatically detect and capture the image.

Tips: Hold your phone steady while scanning; the app will automatically adjust for slight angles.

Figure3-capture the book pages with Scanner Pro  image from:readdle.com

Step 5: Review and Save the Scans

After scanning, the app will automatically split the two-page spreads into individual pages, arrange them in order, and combine them into a single PDF file.

Tip: It’s recommended to pause after scanning 10–15 pages to check that the text is clear, page edges are complete, and whether any pages need to be rescanned.

Step 6: Edit and Enhance the Scan

If you’re not completely satisfied with the scan quality, you can use Scanner Pro’s advanced editing options to adjust cropping, curves, brightness, and more.
To edit a scanned book page in Scanner Pro:

• Open the scanned page.
  

• Tap the “Edit” icon at the bottom.
  

• Choose the desired option: use Crop to trim or rotate the page, Eraser to remove fingers from the scan, or Color Mode to convert the scan to black and white.

Step 7: Export and Share

Scanner Pro automatically saves book scans as PDF files, but you can also export the results as Word or PowerPoint documents.

Tips: After scanning pages with Scanner Pro, they are automatically saved to the "My Scans" screen. You can enable automatic syncing with cloud storage to ensure all your scans are backed up online.

Step 8: Continue Scanning the Remaining Pages

In an existing scan file, tap "Add Page" to continue scanning. All new pages will be automatically arranged in order.

Figure4-edit page image from:readdle.com

1.2. How to Scan a Book with Android？

Adobe Scan supports iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Its "Book" feature allows you to quickly and easily scan two adjacent pages at once. Even if the scanning angle is off, the app will automatically align the text. Simply hold your phone above the book and follow the prompts to turn the pages.

Step 1: Install Adobe Scan
Download this free app from the Google Play Store. First-time users need to sign in with an Adobe account or create one when prompted.

Step 2: Prepare the Book
Place the book flat on a table, keeping the spine as straight as possible. Scan in a well-lit environment for the best results.

Step 3: Open and Sign In
Launch Adobe Scan, sign in, and grant the app permission to access your camera and storage.

Step 4: Select Book Mode
At the bottom of the camera screen, select “Book” mode (if you don’t see this option, tap the camera icon first). Adjust the angle so the dashed line aligns with the book’s spine.

Step 5: Steady Shooting
Follow on-screen prompts to adjust the device’s angle or distance. Keep your hand steady; once scanning is complete, the app will automatically move on to the next page.

Step 6: Preview and Edit
After scanning, tap “Preview” to rotate, crop, or apply filters. To continue scanning, tap “Add Page.”

Step 7: Save and Share
 Tap “Save PDF” in the top right corner to store the file in Adobe Cloud. You can also share it via email or tap the three-dot menu to save it locally.

Figure5-Adobe Scan

2. Scanner Pro vs Adobe Scan: User Review， Free and Paid Features

3. How to Scan a Book with a Scanner?

Mobile scanning is a convenient way to start digitizing books, but for larger volumes or higher image quality, professional scanners like CZUR’s offer clear advantages. With advanced optics and smart image correction, they ensure distortion-free, high-quality scans without damaging the book spine. The next section will show you how to use these tools safely and efficiently.

Scan a Book with CZUR ET Max

Step 1: Setup and Installation

• Positioning the Device and Accessories

Place the scanner on a stable, flat surface and lay out the black document pad. Make sure the scanning area is aligned with the scanner head to avoid edges or unwanted objects appearing in the frame.

• Connect Power and USB

Plug the power adapter into an outlet, then use the USB cable to connect the scanner to your computer. If you're using a foot pedal or hand button, connect it to the corresponding USB port as well.

• Install Software and Activate the Device

Download the latest version of the scanning software from the CZUR official website (https://www.czur.com/support), available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. After installation, launch the software and enter the device's SN code to complete activation.

For detailed installation instructions, please refer to: How to Use CZUR ET Max Book Scanner Software?

Figure6-Scan a Book with CZUR ET Max

Step 2: Prepare for Scanning

After activation, the scanner defaults to “Scanner”. “Visual Mode” (optional) allows display on a TV or projector but is not intended for scanning.

Place the book on the black document pad, aligning it with the center guide on the screen, and keep surrounding objects out of the frame.

Step 3: Select Color and Processing Mode

Tap the Scan button at the bottom right. Then, in the right panel, set:

• Color Mode: choose from Color, Black & White, Grayscale, Auto Enhance, or Old Document mode.
  

• Processing Method: for books, use “Facing Pages” mode to automatically split pages; for documents or single pages, use “Flat Single Page” mode.
  

Figure7-color mode

Step 4: Editing and Image Processing

Tap Auto Scan to let the system automatically detect page changes and capture images. It’s recommended to wear finger cots during use to help the system perform curve correction and remove fingers from the scan. After scanning, you can batch process images using the software to:

• Rotate and crop.
  

• Adjust margins and contrast in bulk.
  

• Remove fingers, watermarks, halos, and more.
  

• Batch crop and merge multiple pages.

Step 5: Export and OCR Recognition

Once scanning is complete, you can export your files in multiple formats, including PDF, Searchable PDF, Word, Excel, TIFF, PNG, BMP, and TXT.

For searchable or editable documents, choose Searchable PDF or Word, and enable OCR.

Powered by the ABBYY OCR engine, CZUR supports 180+ languages and accurately preserves the original layout.

For a step-by-step demonstration, you can also check out our video tutorial on YouTube.

4. How to Scan a Book Without Damaging It: Practical Tips

• Choose the Right Scanning Tool:

Consider using scanning apps like Scanner Pro, which automatically detect page edges, crop images, and deliver clear scans even in suboptimal lighting. For frequent book scanning, a dedicated device such as the CZUR Book Scanner is ideal. Its curve-flattening technology automatically corrects curved pages, producing crisp, flat scans without harming your books.

• Prepare Before Scanning:
  

Remove any dust from the book and take off dust jackets, inserts, or other attachments to avoid affecting the scan quality.

• Turn Pages Gently to Protect the Binding:
  

 Handle pages with care and avoid forcing the book wide open. Simply bend the pages enough to lay them flat, which both protects the book and ensures high-quality scans.

5. How to Convert a Scanned Book into OCR (text)?

To turn scanned books into editable text with OCR, you can use either mobile apps or professional book scanners. For casual use, an app like Scanner Pro works well. It lets you scan pages with your phone’s camera and apply OCR to create searchable PDFs or copyable text.

If you’re dealing with a lot of books, a CZUR Book Scanner is a more efficient option. Its curve-flattening technology scans thick or tightly bound books with ease, and the companion software offers one-click, multi-language OCR. You can export results as Word, TXT, or searchable PDFs, making it ideal for classrooms, libraries, or corporate archives.

6. Which Book Scanning Method Is Right for You?

There are three main options based on your budget and needs:

• Dedicated book scanners offer the best quality without damaging books. They scan, correct distortions, and crop automatically, but they can cost around $100-$700.
  

• Flatbed scanners are a cheaper alternative, but they may require bending the book, which risks damage and lower scan quality. Suitable for occasional use.
  

• Book scanning apps are the most affordable and convenient. Just use your phone to scan pages. Many apps offer OCR to turn scans into editable text. 

Conclusion

Whether preserving documents, organizing notes, or digitizing books, choosing the right scanning method is key. Mobile apps are convenient and affordable for light tasks, while flatbed or dedicated scanners offer greater accuracy and efficiency for larger projects. By selecting the appropriate tools and using proper techniques, you can digitize content effectively without damaging the original books.