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New Delhi: WhatsApp is launching one of the most demanded features, scanning documents by simply using the phone camera. First noticed in development with the Android 2.25.18.29 beta update, the new feature is now being released to a small set of beta testers through the 2.25.19.21 update on the Google Play Store. This feature is meant to streamline the process of sharing documents by reducing the number of steps and third-party apps that scan documents.

In this update, they have added a new feature of a document-sharing menu, a feature that allows the user to scan a document. After choosing, the camera opens immediately with the live preview to enable users to place the document in the right position. The idea is to make it easier to capture, convert, and share documents as PDFs, all in WhatsApp.

Two capture modes: Manual and automatic

The scanning tool provides manual and automatic capture modes to suit various preferences. Manual mode is useful to adjust document position and lighting and also allows the user complete control over when they take the scan. In the meanwhile, automatic mode allows the edges of the document to be detected and the picture to be captured automatically, which is best used in case of rapid scanning when the customer is short of time.

Local conversion and end-to-end encryption

After capturing the document, WhatsApp automatically processes it as well as converting the document into a PDF and storing it locally on the device. The document will be on the phone until the user chooses to share. Similar to any other WhatsApp content, scanned documents are end-to-end encrypted, which guarantees privacy and safe transmission.

The feature is now in early beta testing with more users to follow in the next few weeks. The WhatsApp beta program is available to interested users through the Google Play Store to test it early.