As a student with low vision, I frequently use OCR scanner apps for iOS and Android devices to extract text from images and inaccessible documents so I can read information in large print or with text-to-speech. Also known as optical character recognition, OCR technology converts images of typed, handwritten, or printed text into electronic text that can be read on another device, and has a long history of being used for making text accessible to blind and low vision individuals. Instead of attempting to read text from a scanned image or fixed layout, OCR makes it easier to read text either by listening to it or copy and pasting it into another application.
For many years, I used Microsoft Lens (formerly known as Microsoft Office Lens) as an OCR scanner app on both my Android phone and iPad, until it was discontinued in 2025. Since learning to use OCR scanning apps played an integral role in helping me access information independently in college, I updated this post with other OCR scanner apps for low vision students that I’ve used in a variety of ways that align with the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), like reading class assignments (compensatory skills), assisting with work-related tasks like keeping track of business cards (career education), organizing mail (independent living skills), or reading patterns and instructions for hobbies (recreation and leisure) with assistive technology.
Characteristics of an accessible OCR scanner app for low vision
There are hundreds of scanner apps and apps that offer OCR features for iOS and Android, but not all of these applications are specifically created with visually impaired users or low vision accessibility in mind. Here are specific characteristics that I look for when researching potential OCR scanner applications for low vision users:
- Integration with screen readers and other forms of assistive technology for low vision.
- Application provides options for both visual and audio cues for positioning documents or items within view.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) can be used with multiple languages and with a wide range of font sizes.
- Option to customize or adjust appearance of scanned content, including contrast adjustments or filters
- Ability to export content in fixed layout file formats (e.g., PDF) and responsive layout formats that can be edited (e.g., Word document)
- Support for handwriting recognition or options for using OCR with multiple types of content.
It is worth noting that no OCR system is 100% accurate when it comes to recognizing text, and it has also become increasingly challenging to find free OCR scanner apps that support all of these accessibility features while also focusing on data privacy and having protections in place for user data. With that in mind, this post contains a mix of free and paid applications, many of which are available on multiple platforms.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Reading Handwriting With Assistive Technology
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
iPad/iOS Files app: Built-in OCR scanner for documents
Also available in the Notes app, the Files app on iPhone and iPad offers a built-in OCR scanner that can be used for scanning PDFs and extracting text that can be read with VoiceOver, Speak Text, or copy/pasted into another application. For students that have an iPhone or iPad, this feature is super helpful for quickly scanning text without having to download a third-party app.
To scan documents with the iPad/iPhone Files app:
- Open the Files app and select the location/folder where the document will be saved.
- Select More (three dots icon) > Scan Documents
- Select scanning mode: Auto or Manual. Users can also configure optional filters such as color, black, and white, grayscale, or photo.
- For Auto mode, the device will automatically recognize documents or text content in front of the device camera and scan it automatically, without requiring users to press any buttons. Users can scan multiple pages consecutively.
- For Manual mode, users take a picture of the document and can drag the corners to further crop the image so it is straight/in focus. To save, select Keep Scan or use Retake to capture a new scan.
- Once all page(s) have been added to the file, select Save. Users will be prompted to change the file name.
To use OCR and extract text from the scanned content (which is saved as a PDF), long-press on a portion of the text and select Select All to select all of the text in the document. The text can then be copied and pasted, or read out loud with text-to-speech.
OCR functionality is also available with the iOS Magnifier app, which would be another helpful application to incorporate into an Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) lesson on assistive technology or sensory efficiency (low-visual vs nonvisual access strategies).
Related links
- iOS Magnifier and Low Vision Accessibility
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- How to scan documents on your iPhone or iPad | Apple
VDScan and Legere Scanner: Accessible scanning app with one-time cost
VDScan (iOS/iPadOS) and Legere Scanner (Android) are maintained by the same developer and offer the same text-to-speech and OCR scanning features for low vision users. Both applications work offline and are designed to export accessible PDFs or as plain text, with several options for reading text out loud or reading text with large print. Each app requires a one-time purchase of $9.99 USD, but it is by far one of the most accessible OCR scanner apps for blind and low vision users that I have ever used, and I have continued to use it for many years.
To use VDScan or Legere Scanner:
- Position the device camera in front of the document.
- If auto capture is turned on, the image will be captured after two seconds of steady focus; otherwise, users can select the camera button to capture an image by double-tapping the screen. Batch mode can also be enabled to scan multiple documents.
- Once the image is processed, double-tap on any block of text to begin reading. Alternatively, users can manually crop or rotate the image for improved readability.
- Select Save to export the scanned file as a PDF with embedded text or as a plain text file.
It is worth noting that VDScan and Legere Scanner do not recognize handwriting, though I have used it successfully when scanning very neat handwriting (not something I wrote). That said, I would not rely on this tool for reading handwriting consistently.
Related links
- VDScan on App Store
- Legere Scanner on Google Play
- Implementing Shared Folders For Accessible Materials
Microsoft Seeing AI: OCR scanner for recognizing text
While it doesn’t offer the same exact functions as Microsoft Lens, Seeing AI has a document scanning option that can extract text from documents or other environmental text, and will automatically read the text out loud or display it in the system font size. However, users can only export the document as an image, or export just the extracted text in another file format; this does not create a PDF with OCR enabled. That said, I find this tool helpful and have used it to read text in several of my classes, incorporating it as one of many compensatory skills for accessing print.
To use the OCR document scanner in Seeing AI:
- Open the Seeing AI app for iOS or Android
- Select Read, and enable Document detection by selecting the document icon in the bottom right corner.
- Take a picture of the document. Alternatively, Seeing AI will automatically detect the document and process the text, providing options to listen to the text or read in large print.
- To add another page to the scan, select Add page in the top-right corner
- To export, select the Share menu at the bottom of the screen, which provides options for Image, text, and exporting as an HTML file.
- Select the back button to go back to Seeing AI and exit the document.
Since this post previously highlighted Microsoft Lens, I wanted to include Seeing AI since it offers several similar features and can also recognize handwriting. That said, there are many other visual assistance apps that offer document scanning capabilities as well.
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft Seeing AI With Low Vision
- Using The Envision App With Low Vision
- All About Visual Assistance Apps For Visually Impaired
- How I Read Research Sources With Assistive Technology
Microsoft OneDrive: Whiteboard scanner that partially supports OCR
One of my favorite features in Microsoft Lens was the whiteboard scanner, which I used for taking notes in several of my classes. With Lens now retired, the whiteboard scanning feature is now available in the OneDrive app, which can save whiteboard images as PDFs. OneDrive also has options for scanning other types of content such as documents and business cards (just like Lens), and the steps are identical for each type of content.
To create PDFs using OneDrive and the device camera:
- Open the OneDrive app and select Add (plus icon) > Scan document
- Select Document, Whiteboard, Business Card, or Photo.
- Position the device to frame the document; tap the white circle button (camera) to scan.
- Once the image is scanned, adjust borders, crop, rotate, or apply filters as needed. Use the Pen icon to draw or add notes directly on the scan.
- For multiple pages, tap Add after each scan to combine them into one PDF.
- Tap Done, name the file, and select the Save button to save the content to OneDrive. The content will be saved as a PDF.
Although OneDrive supports OCR for full-text search in the OneDrive app (helpful for locating files), I have noticed that the extracted text does not always export correctly as part of the PDF metadata, meaning the PDF does not actually contain OCR. This is why I don’t scan documents with OneDrive that I need to read visually, but I still find the whiteboard scanner useful since I often reference these scans when taking or reviewing notes (especially when using OneNote)
Related links
- How I Use Microsoft OneNote With Low Vision
- How I Use Microsoft Whiteboard With Low Vision
- How To Make Things On The Board Easier To See
Does Google Drive support OCR scanning for PDFs?
As of publishing time (February 2026), Google Drive’s built-in scanning application does not support OCR, which provides more limited options for users with low vision who rely on OCR to access text. That said, I have scanned documents as a JPEG in Google Drive, downloaded them to my device, and then used Google Lens to extract/copy text so I could read it out loud or use it in another application. Admittedly, this workflow is more complicated than using another OCR scanning app, but I wanted to mention how to scan documents with Google Drive for if/when OCR is supported in the future.
To scan documents with Google Drive:
- Open the Google Drive app and select the Camera icon
- Position the device camera over the document. Auto capture will automatically scan the document after about two seconds, while manual capture requires users to take a photo
- Once the document is scanned, users can crop/rotate the page, add filters, clean the image to remove artifacting, or scan another page.
- Tap Done
- Rename the file or select a suggested title.
- To save the scanned document in a specific format, select either .pdf or .jpg. If needed, select Location to save the file in a specific folder within Google Drive.
- To save the finished document, tap Save
Related links
- How I Use Google Lens With Low Vision
- Five Apps I Use In Statistics Classes As A Low Vision Student
- Must-Have Tech Skills For Online Classes
More resources on OCR scanner apps for low vision students
- While a lot of OCR scanner apps for low vision are centered around PDFs, PDFs aren’t the first choice file format for many users with visual impairments. Learn more in File Formats For Low Vision and Print Disabilities
- Interested in an OCR scanning pen or similar assistive technology hardware? I share more about the device I use in ScanMarker Air: OCR Scanner Pen for Low Vision
- Optical Music Recognition uses similar technology to OCR, except it is designed for music notation. I share more about how I scan accessible sheet music in Tips For Reading Music On An iPad With Low Vision
- Need to scan math equations or math notation? Read Adapting Digital Equations: Math Problems and Low Vision
- Another app I use frequently for extracting text from screenshots is Google Lens, which is built into my Android phone. Learn more in How I Use Google Lens With Low Vision
Published September 29, 2023. Updated February 2026