Course Catalog / BMU 010 / Lesson 2 of 5

BMU 010

Quick review

1. How long should a strong password be?

See the answer

At least 16 characters.

2. What is two step login?

See the answer

A second check, like a code, after your password.

Why this matters

A boss asks for your ID. A landlord wants a pay stub. A school wants a form. You do not need a scanner. Your phone can make a clean PDF.

In this lesson you will scan a page, save it as a PDF, give it a clear name, and find it again.

Start with what you already do

You already take photos with your phone. Scanning is like a photo that is cleaned up and saved as a document.

Common belief: A photo of the page is just as good as a scan.

What is actually true: A scan finds the edges of the page and saves it as a PDF, which most offices ask for. Google Drive makes scans searchable PDFs.

Key words

scan

Using a camera or scanner to turn paper into a file.

PDF

A kind of file that looks the same on any phone or computer.

file name

The name you give a file so you can find it.

Scan on an iPhone

1. Open the Notes app and start a new note.
2. Tap the attachment button, then tap Scan Documents.
3. Hold the phone over the page. It scans on its own, or tap the shutter.
4. Drag the corners to fit the page, then tap Keep Scan.
5. Tap Done. Apple says the scan is saved as a PDF in the note.

You can also scan in the Files app. Tap More, then Scan Documents, then choose where to save it.

Scan on an Android phone

Google says you can scan with the Google Drive app. Scans save as searchable PDFs in your Drive. Open Drive, tap the add or camera button, and choose Scan. Menu names can change, so search Drive help for Scan if you do not see it.

Name it so you can find it

A good name has your last name, what it is, and the month and year. To find it later, use the search bar in Files or Drive and type a word from the name.

Text version of this figure

Scan, name, find. From paper to PDF in four steps.

1. Step 1, Good light, flat page: Dark table, no shadows.
2. Step 2, Scan: Notes or Files on iPhone; Drive on Android.
3. Step 3, Name it: Last name, what it is, month and year.
4. PDF saved: Ready to send.
5. Find it: Use search in Files or Drive.

Source: Apple Support; Google Drive Help (Oct 29, 2026).

Worked example: Andre scans a pay stub

1. Andre puts his pay stub on a dark table near a window.
2. He opens Google Drive on his Android phone and taps Scan.
3. He checks that all four corners are in the scan.
4. He names it Brooks Pay Stub Oct 2026.
5. He types Pay Stub in the Drive search bar to make sure he can find it.

Andre is a made up example.

Worked example 2: Kim scans a two page lease

Kim needs to send both pages of her lease. On her iPhone she opens Notes and taps Scan Documents. She scans page 1 and taps Keep Scan. She does not tap Save yet. She scans page 2, taps Keep Scan, then Save. Apple says you can add more scans to the same document before you save, so both pages are in one PDF.

Page 2 looks dark, so she moves to a window and scans it again. She names the file Nguyen Lease Oct 2026.

Kim is a made up example.

Practice: Name and fix

Rename each made up file with last name, what it is, and the month and year. For 4, name the fix.

1. IMG 4471, a pay stub for Ana Ruiz, from November 2026
2. Scanned Document 3, a doctor's note for Joe Park, from October 2026
3. New PDF, a two page lease for Lee Diaz, from December 2026
4. Your scan is dark and blurry.

Check your practice: feedback

1. Ruiz Pay Stub Nov 2026
2. Park Doctor Note Oct 2026
3. Diaz Lease Dec 2026. Check that both pages are in one PDF.
4. Lay the page flat on a dark table in good light, hold the phone still, and scan again.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the default name. Rename it right away.
• Scanning in dim light. Use good light and a flat page.
• Cutting off an edge. Check all four corners before you save.

Check your understanding

Take it as many times as you like. Pick an answer, then open the feedback.

1. Which file name is best?

1. IMG 2210
2. Scan 7
3. Diaz Lease Page Oct 2026

See the answer and feedback

C is correct. Yes. It says who, what, and when.

A: That is hard to find later. Review Name it so you can find it.

B: That is hard to find too. Review Name it so you can find it.

2. On an iPhone, which app can scan a page?

1. Notes
2. Photos
3. Settings

See the answer and feedback

A is correct. Yes. Notes and Files can both scan.

B: Photos stores pictures, but the scan tool is in Notes. Review Scan on an iPhone.

C: Settings has no scan tool. Use Notes. Review Scan on an iPhone.

3. Your scan cut off the bottom of the page. What should you do?

1. Send it and explain in the email
2. Scan it again
3. Crop it to make it neat

See the answer and feedback

B is correct. Yes. Check all four corners.

A: The reader still cannot see the missing part. Scan it again. Review Common mistakes.

C: Cropping cannot bring back the missing part. Scan it again. Review Common mistakes.

Next up

Next you will send your PDF by email the right way. Go to Lesson 3: Send it right.

Stuck or have a question? Ask BMU Learner Support.

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