Scanning documents from your mobile phone has become a much more logical option than scanning using traditional methods. Faster and in some cases even better quality. Problem? Until now, it was necessary to rely on third-party applications (or Google Drive) to perform this operation. This has just changed.

Here’s how Google Files is updated via the server: implement a new browser feature. Most Android phones, even those with deep layers of customization, include this free, ad-free app from Google.

Android’s native file explorer is now also a browser

Google Files (current value) Google’s default file explorer, an app that also serves to free up space by eliminating duplicate files, unnecessary multimedia, and more. Manufacturers often include this application in the “Google” folder, giving their local browsers a little more visibility.

The Files app was updated with browser functionality a while ago, but as is always the case with such updates, it hasn’t started reaching the majority of Android phones via the server until now. In fact, of the three Android phones I have in my house, I have one that is inactive (updated to Android 14) and the other two that are active.

The file browser function is enabled by default and is indicated by a small, not too intrusive icon at the bottom right of the panel. Its interface looks very familiar to us, for a simple reason: it is exactly the same as the browser in Google Drive.

We can manually select the area to scan or, if even more advisable, let the phone itself select it automatically. Once the document is scanned, we can apply different filters, including a black and white filter, to eliminate color and make it look like a normal scanned document.

To use this browser, make sure your Files are updated to the latest version. However, since it is an update made through the server, you may not be active for a few hours.

Image | Google

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