How to use Google Stack to scan and organize all of your files
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Gone are the days when you relied on big, bulky machines to scan documents. Now, thanks to smartphones, it’s possible to use their cameras to scan and keep important documents, such as tax forms, bills, and contracts, on the go. When you use acamera smartphoneto scan documents, they are scanned at the highest quality, and you can access those important documents from your pocket. If you don’t own (or want)a multifunction printer, this guide is for you.
Google Stack is a personal document management app for Android phones. It was created by Google’s Area 120 team. If you’ve yet to hear of the app, check out ourin-depth Google Stack guideto get a better idea of what the app does. If you’re familiar with the app but don’t know how to set it up, here’s what you need to know.
Need to add scanned documents for work? We’ve got you covered!
How to set up the Stack app
There isn’t a shortage of scanner apps for your phone or tablet. And while scanning paper documents may be annoying when you use an app, at least you won’t have to pay for the luxury of digitizing a document.
Here’s how to get started with Stack:
How to use the Stack app
After Stack is set up, you’ll see theHome,All documents,andplus(+)icons at the bottom of the screen. TheYour Stacksbar, populated with several default categories, appears at the top of the app.
Now that you have a feel for the basic setup, here’s how to scan your first document:
What else can Stack do?
Although Stack is a solid document-scanning app, it has some impressive AI tricks. The Stack app uses OCR to parse your documents. It also uses Google’s machine-learning capabilities to help you locate and categorize your files quickly.
you could also edit and create new Stacks to better organize your documents. Here’s how to customize theYour Stacksbar:
Additional Stack settings you may want to update
Like most Google apps, Stack is intuitive. Once you know the basics, it’s possible to navigate the app with ease. There are several options in the app’s Settings menu that you may wish to tweak. To access Stack’s Settings menu and change the options, tap yourprofile iconin the upper-right corner of the Stack app. Then, selectSettingsto see the list of settings. Turn these settings on or off as needed:
Stack is an experimental app from Area 120. Google can discontinue the Stack app at any time or integrate the underlying technology into one of its existing products. We recommend backing up any documents scanned in Stack to Google Drive or a similar cloud storage service.
Stack isn’t the only game in town
The features and trust that Google brings in the form of Stack are hard to let go of. The app is experimental, and Google could cancel this app anytime. Moreover, the app hasn’t been updated for a long time, and the Play Store prevents that app from being installed on devices runningAndroid 13and later.
Google Stack is only available for Android users in the US. It’s a no-go for people who may want a solution that works on more operating systems and is available in their region. If you are outside the US, check out otherscanning and document management appsthat work on multiple platforms.
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This article is sponsored by Total Wireless.
