Some Chromebooks missing 'Scan' mode in Camera app even after installing latest Chrome OS 96 update

Chromebooks are the affordable laptops running Google’s Chrome OS (primarily web/cloud-based). These devices are especially popular in the casual and educational segment.

From time to time, Google sends new features and improvements to Chromebooks. One of the novelties that had a rollout in the last few weeks is the ‘Scan’ mode.

The ‘Scan’ mode option is a new mode in the in the Camera app that, as its name suggests, allows you to use the built-in camera on Chromebooks to scan documents and convert them into PDF or JPEG format.

But, according to multiple reports (1, 2, 3), this function is not available to everyone. Some Chromebook users report that the ‘Scan’ mode is missing, even with the latest Chrome OS version installed.

The ‘Scan’ mode rollout for Chromebooks started in late November. In its official announcement, Google didn’t mention if the feature would reach limited models only.

Taking the above into account, it was expected that all Chrome OS device users would receive the new feature. However, this is not the case.

chrome://scanning doesn’t work as that just has the browser looking for a physical scanner connected to the Chromebook. My issue is that the latest Chrome OS update said it has a scan option for the camera but mine does not. My camera app just has the Video, Photo, and Square but no Scan as a fourth option.
Source

It should be noted that, for affected users, the problem persists even after upgrading to the latest version of Chrome OS (v96). So, it doesn’t seem to be the software version’s fault.

im updated to : Version 96.0.4664.111 (Official Build) (64-bit) , BUT , no scan icon button on my Acer CP315 , i just see video photo square but no scan.
any one here find a solution yet.

thanks
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All the problem reportedly is due to poor communication from Google. As mentioned at the beginning, the company never pointed out that Scan mode was exclusive to some particular Chromebooks.

But, a Google product expert confirms that, indeed, the new feature is not universal.

This seems to be confirmed by user reports that describe how some Chromebooks have the feature, while others do not.

I did a demonstration on the new camera scan feature on chromebook to students in our school in an effort to get them to submit legible online work. Over the next few days, I had a number of students say they didn’t have that feature as an option in their camera. We’ve tried updating their chromebook, but that did not solve the issue.

Has anyone else run into this issue? Is the scan feature only on specific chromebooks, not universal?
Source

So, unfortunately, if Scan mode is not available on your Chromebook, there is a chance that the function will never arrive. If there is any change related to this matter, we will update this article. So, stay tuned with us.

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