Stop downloading these Android apps: Your phone already has these built-in features
Android now has built-in features for scanning, QR codes, and clipboard, making many third-party apps unnecessary, says Android Authority.
Document scanning and OCR: On devices running Android 14 or later, the stock camera app can scan physical documents and extract text from images or real-world objects, the report says. Placing a document on a flat surface and pointing the camera at it will automatically display a “Scan” button, allowing users to save or edit the scanned copy. For text extraction, Samsung phones offer a “T” button in the camera viewfinder, while Pixel and OnePlus users can use Google Lens on existing photos.
QR code scanning: Android 13 introduced a native QR code reader, accessible through the camera app or a dedicated Quick Settings toggle. Users simply point the camera at a code, and a strip appears showing the content, which can be opened, copied, or shared.
Clipboard management: Gboard, the default keyboard on most Android phones, has a built-in clipboard manager that stores copied items for an hour, while Samsung Keyboard offers the same feature without the one-hour limit, according to the article. Users can enable the feature in Gboard settings, then access, pin, or delete clippings from the keyboard's toolbar.
Blue light filter apps, which apply a warm tint to the screen, are also on the list of apps the publication says users should stop installing. Although the report does not detail specific built-in alternatives, it emphasizes that these third-party tools are unnecessary given the current state of Android.