> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.decodahealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Document Scanner Setup

> Connect a physical scanner to Decoda so you can scan documents directly into patient records.

## Overview

Scanner Bridge is a small app that runs on your computer and connects Decoda to any physical scanner (USB flatbed, document feeder, etc.). Once installed, a **Scan** button appears anywhere you can upload documents — patient charts, notes, and more.

<Info>
  Scanner Bridge runs quietly in your system tray. You only need to install it once — it starts automatically when you turn on your computer.
</Info>

## Step 1: Download Scanner Bridge

<a href="https://decoda-health.github.io/scanner-bridge/download.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style={{display:'inline-block',padding:'12px 24px',background:'#4f6df5',color:'#fff',borderRadius:'8px',fontWeight:500,textDecoration:'none',marginBottom:'12px'}}>
  Download Scanner Bridge
</a>

The link above automatically detects your computer and gives you the right version. If you need a specific version:

| Computer                                                | Download                                                                                                               |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mac (Apple Silicon)** — Most Macs from 2021 and later | [Download](https://github.com/decoda-health/scanner-bridge/releases/latest) the `.dmg` file with `aarch64` in the name |
| **Mac (Intel)** — Older Macs from 2020 and earlier      | [Download](https://github.com/decoda-health/scanner-bridge/releases/latest) the `.dmg` file with `x86_64` in the name  |
| **Windows**                                             | [Download](https://github.com/decoda-health/scanner-bridge/releases/latest) the `.msi` file                            |

<Tip>
  Not sure which Mac you have? Click the Apple menu → **About This Mac**. If it says "Apple M1" or similar, choose Apple Silicon. If it says "Intel", choose Intel.
</Tip>

## Step 2: Install

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mac">
    1. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file.
    2. Drag **Scanner Bridge** into your **Applications** folder.
    3. Open **Scanner Bridge** from Applications.
    4. If you see a message saying the app "can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software":
       * Open **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security**.
       * Scroll down and click **Open Anyway** next to the Scanner Bridge message.
       * Alternatively, right-click the app in Applications, choose **Open**, then click **Open** again in the prompt.
    5. You should see a small scanner icon appear in your menu bar (top-right of your screen). That means it's running.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    1. Open the downloaded `.msi` file.
    2. If Windows shows a "Windows protected your PC" message, click **More info**, then **Run anyway**.
    3. Follow the installation steps.
    4. Scanner Bridge starts automatically. You should see a small scanner icon in your system tray (bottom-right of your screen, near the clock).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 3: Connect Your Scanner

1. Plug your scanner into your computer via USB (or make sure it's on the same network if it's a wireless scanner).
2. Scanner Bridge automatically detects connected scanners — no extra setup needed.

## Step 4: Scan a Document in Decoda

1. Open a patient's chart and go to the **Documents** tab.
2. Click **Upload Document**.
3. You should see a **Scan Document** button in the upload form.
4. Click **Scan Document** — your scanner will start scanning.
5. When the scan finishes, the image appears in the upload form. Add a title and document type, then click **Upload**.

For notes, you'll see a **Scan** button next to the **Upload Document** button in the note's documents section.

<Tip>
  If your scanner has a document feeder (the tray on top where you can stack multiple pages), Scanner Bridge will automatically scan all pages and combine them into a single PDF.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

### I don't see the Scan button in Decoda

* Make sure Scanner Bridge is running — look for the scanner icon in your menu bar (Mac) or system tray (Windows).
* Try refreshing the page. The button appears within a few seconds of detecting the app.

### The Scan button says "No scanners found"

* Check that your scanner is plugged in and turned on.
* Try unplugging and reconnecting the USB cable.
* On Mac, you may need to allow Scanner Bridge access to USB devices in **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security**.

### Scan is slow or the image quality is poor

* Scanner Bridge scans at 300 DPI by default, which works well for most documents. Scanning speed depends on your scanner hardware.

### I want to uninstall Scanner Bridge

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mac">
    1. Click the scanner icon in the menu bar and choose **Quit**.
    2. Drag **Scanner Bridge** from Applications to the Trash.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    1. Open **Settings** → **Apps** → **Installed apps**.
    2. Find **Scanner Bridge** and click **Uninstall**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>