Are you looking for a quick and easy way to scan your signature using just your phone? You’ve come to the right place!
Scanning your signature on your phone is a practical method for creating a digital version of your handwritten signature. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to scan your signature on both Android and iPhone devices.
Not only that, but you’ll also learn how to use this scanned signature in your documents. Sounds interesting, right? Let’s get started!
Scanning Your Signature on Android
For Android users, CamScanner is a popular and effective application for scanning signatures. Here’s how to do it:
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Download CamScanner: First, download and install the CamScanner application from the Google Play Store.
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Write Your Signature: On a plain white piece of paper, write your signature clearly.
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Open CamScanner and Start Scanning: Open the CamScanner app and tap on the camera icon located at the bottom right of the screen.
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Take a Photo of Your Signature: Position your phone camera over your signature and take a clear photo. Ensure good lighting for the best results.
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Crop Your Signature: After taking the photo, CamScanner will automatically detect the edges of your signature. Adjust the cropping if necessary to precisely capture your signature without extra paper around it.
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Confirm Cropping: Once you are satisfied with the cropping, tap the checkmark icon at the bottom right.
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Apply Filter (Optional): CamScanner offers various filters to enhance the scan. You can choose a filter that best suits your needs, or simply leave it on Auto for automatic adjustments. Typically, the “Black and White” or “B&W” filter works well for signatures to make them crisp and clear.
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Save Your Scanned Signature: After selecting a filter or choosing to keep it on auto, tap the checkmark icon again at the bottom right to save your scanned signature to your phone’s gallery. Your scanned signature is now ready to use!
Scanning a signature on a smartphone using a mobile scanning app
Scanning Your Signature on iPhone
For iPhone users, the built-in Notes app provides a convenient scanning feature. Here’s how to scan your signature using your iPhone:
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Write Your Signature: Begin by writing your signature on a clean, white piece of paper.
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Open the Notes App: Locate and open the Notes application on your iPhone.
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Create a New Note and Access Scan Feature: Create a new note. Then, tap the three-dot icon located at the top right corner of the screen.
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Select “Scan Documents”: From the dropdown menu, choose Scan Documents. This will open your iPhone’s camera in scan mode.
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Scan Your Signature: Position your camera over your signature. The iPhone will automatically detect the document (in this case, your signature). Ensure the entire signature is within the frame. If the scan is satisfactory, tap Keep Scan.
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Edit Your Scan (Optional): After scanning, you have the option to edit the photo. You can crop, rotate, or adjust the colors to enhance the clarity of your signature.
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Save Your Scanned Signature: Once you are done editing, tap Done in the top left corner to save the scanned signature. The scanned signature is now saved within your Notes app and can be easily shared or saved to your photos.
How to Use Your Scanned Signature in Documents
Once you have scanned your signature, you can easily insert it into digital documents using Microsoft Word on your phone. Here’s how:
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Install Microsoft Word: If you haven’t already, download and install the Microsoft Word app from the Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone).
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Open Your Document in Word: Open the Microsoft Word app and locate the document where you want to add your signature.
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Enable Edit Mode: Tap the Edit option, which is usually represented by a pencil icon at the top of the app interface.
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Insert Picture: Tap the upward arrow icon to expand the menu options. Then, tap Home, and from the dropdown menu, select Insert.
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Choose Pictures: Under the Insert menu, tap Pictures. This will allow you to select a photo from your phone’s gallery or photos.
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Insert Your Scanned Signature: Locate and select the photo of your scanned signature that you saved earlier. The image of your signature will be inserted into your Word document.
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Adjust Signature Position and Size: You can now tap and drag the signature to position it correctly within your document. Resize it by dragging the corner handles to ensure it fits appropriately in the signature line or designated area. Once you are satisfied with the placement, tap the checkmark icon at the top left to save your changes.
Considering Certified Digital Signatures
Scanning your signature provides a convenient way to digitize your handwritten signature. However, it’s important to understand that a scanned signature is considered a non-certified electronic signature. This type of signature may have limited legal validity and might require digital forensic analysis to be considered as strong electronic evidence in legal proceedings.
For documents that require a higher level of security and legal compliance, especially sensitive or critical documents, consider using a certified digital signature. Certified digital signatures offer enhanced legal standing and security features, ensuring authenticity and preventing tampering. Services like Mekari Sign provide certified digital signatures that are legally recognized and compliant with regulations.
By using a certified digital signature, you benefit from signature verification, which easily confirms the signature’s authenticity and document integrity, safeguarding against forgery and fraud.
Conclusion
Scanning your signature on your phone is a straightforward process that can be accomplished quickly on both Android and iPhone devices. It’s a useful method for adding your signature to documents when speed and convenience are priorities.
However, for legally binding and secure document signing, especially in professional or sensitive contexts, exploring certified digital signature solutions like Mekari Sign is highly recommended. This ensures greater security, legal validity, and peace of mind for all your digital signing needs.