OCR PDF on Android
OCR PDF on your Android phone or tablet right in Chrome — no Play Store app, no account, and nothing to install. ContinuePDF works with the Android share sheet, Files by Google, and Google Drive, so you can OCR your scanned PDF from wherever it lives. The whole thing runs on your device, so it works well even on a slower connection.
Start OCR PDF NowHow to OCR PDF on Android
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Open ContinuePDF in Chrome
On your Android device, open OCR PDF in Chrome. Use the menu's "Add to Home screen" for app-like access.
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Add a file from Downloads or Drive
Tap to add your scanned PDF and pick from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive.
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Save to Downloads
Run the tool and searchable PDF saves to your Downloads folder, ready to share via the share sheet.
What you can do with OCR PDF
OCR reads the text inside a scanned PDF and adds a searchable, selectable text layer behind the image, turning a picture of a document into one you can search, copy from, and highlight.
Search a scanned contract
Make an image-only scan searchable so you can jump straight to a clause or a name.
Copy text from a scan
Pull quotes, figures, or addresses out of a scanned page without retyping them.
Archive documents properly
Turn a folder of scans into searchable PDFs so they are findable later.
Improve accessibility
Add a real text layer so screen readers can read a document that was previously just an image.
OCR PDF on Android without the Play Store
Play Store PDF apps tend to be ad-heavy, ask for broad storage permissions, and lock the actual OCR feature behind a subscription. That is a lot to accept just to process one file, and it means giving an app ongoing access to your documents.
ContinuePDF runs in Chrome instead. There is no app to install and no special permission to grant — you simply pick your scanned PDF from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive, OCR it, and the searchable PDF saves back to Downloads where the Android share sheet can send it anywhere. Because the work is done on your device, your files are never uploaded.
Why choose ContinuePDF
No Play Store
Runs in Chrome — no app, no ads-heavy download, no broad permissions.
Drive & Files
Pull files from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive.
Share sheet ready
Send searchable PDF to any app via the Android share sheet.
Works on slow data
Processing is local, so it holds up on a weak connection.
Pro tip
Cleaner scans give far better results — straighten pages and use good contrast before running OCR. Choosing the correct language for the document improves accuracy, especially for accented characters.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCR change how my document looks?
No. The original scanned image stays exactly as it is; OCR adds an invisible text layer behind it, so the page looks identical but is now searchable and selectable.
How accurate is the text recognition?
Accuracy is high for clear, straight, high-contrast scans and lower for blurry, skewed, or handwritten pages. It is wise to review the result if you will rely on the extracted text.
Is there a OCR PDF app for Android?
You don't need one. OCR PDF runs in Chrome on Android. Add your scanned PDF from Downloads, Files by Google, or Google Drive, and searchable PDF saves to your Downloads folder — no Play Store app required.
Where does the file go after processing on Android?
Searchable PDF is saved to your device's Downloads folder. From there you can open it in any app or send it with the Android share sheet.
Is ContinuePDF free to use?
Yes. ContinuePDF and all of its tools, including OCR PDF, are free with no signup required. Because documents are processed in your browser rather than on our servers, we can offer the full feature set at no cost.
Other ways to OCR PDF
Prefer a different device, browser, or setup? OCR PDF works the same everywhere.
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Start using our free OCR tool now — no signup required.
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