Google’s Files app adds a useful little feature, but not for everyone

Google is adding a scanner function directly to its Files by Google application, its file explorer on Android. Unfortunately, the scanner is only available on Pixel smartphones.

There is the Android File Explorer, but some smartphones include Files by Google, or Files by Google in French. This is the case for the brand’s Pixel smartphones. It is only the latter that have a scanner added.

A very practical feature for the Google Files app

This deployment was spotted by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, as he notes on. This update is called “ server side “, which means that there is no need to update to see the scanner arrive. We were able to test the functionality ourselves on a Pixel 8, which suggests that it is deployed or being deployed in France as well. If you want to test this, check that the Files by Google app version is 1.2729.610141523.0.

From now on, a button “ To scan » appears in the lower right corner of the screen. By pressing it, the rear camera of the smartphone opens and you can start scanning your documents. The scanner itself can decide the area to scan, but you can also define the area by hand. The feature also allows you to crop, rotate, clean up or even add filters to said scan. Finally, you can combine several documents into an image if necessary.

This scanner actually looks a lot like the one available on Google Drive. All scanned documents are saved in PDF format and stored in a new folder named “ Digitized » in Files by Google. For now, the feature is only available on Pixels. Hopefully one day it will be rolled out to all other Android smartphones. Especially since some have Files by Google installed by default.