Yes, PaperSurvey can process photos taken with mobile phones. However, photos taken with standard camera apps often result in recognition errors due to poor image quality.

Common issues with camera photos

Regular camera apps are not optimized for document capture, which leads to:

• Skewed or distorted images from angled shots
• Motion blur from unstable hands
• Uneven lighting and shadows
• Poor text contrast

These issues significantly reduce recognition accuracy and may cause processing failures.

Quick capture guide for mobile devices

Here's a simple guide you can share with colleagues on how to capture high-quality survey photos:

iOS (Built-in Document Scanner):

No additional apps needed:

1. Swipe down on the home screen
2. In the search bar, type "Scan Document"
3. Position your document and capture
4. Save the document and share it to @upload.papersurvey.io

Android (Google Drive):

Most devices have Google Drive pre-installed:

1. Open the Google Drive app
2. Tap the "+" button in the bottom right
3. Select "Scan" from the menu
4. Position your document and tap the capture button
5. Save the document and share it to @upload.papersurvey.io

Alternative apps: If the above options aren't available on your phone, download CamScanner, Adobe Scan, or Microsoft Lens for reliable document scanning.

Recommended document scanning apps

For best results, use dedicated document scanning applications:

• CamScanner
• Adobe Scan
• Microsoft Lens
• iOS Notes (built-in) - Simple document scanning for iOS users
• Google Drive (built-in) - Simple document scanning for Android users

Best practices for mobile scanning

1. Position the phone parallel to the document surface
2. Ensure even lighting across the entire page
3. Hold the device steady to prevent motion blur
4. Verify all text is clearly legible before saving
5. Use good lighting or natural daylight when possible
6. Avoid shadows cast by your device or hands

Professional scanning equipment

For organizations processing large volumes of surveys, dedicated scanners with automatic document feeders provide consistent quality and significantly faster processing times.