---
updatedAt: 2026-09-08T07:39:19.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.sumsub.com/llms.txt
---

# Live capture

Capture documents in real time for faster and safer verification.

Live capture is a method of providing identity document photos by taking them via a camera on the applicant's device. The photos can be taken from both mobile and desktop devices. This method is recommended to select as an additional one to the file upload.

![](https://files.readme.io/1510c22253c09652dabfd4772bbd5b31e207d92c877b4df4c358018548538c02-Non-Doc_Verification.png)

# How Live capture works

The process of providing document identity photos via Live capture looks as follows:

1. An applicant proceeds with verification and goes to the required step where document approval is needed.
2. The system suggests preparing their identity documents to the applicant.
3. The applicant takes a photo via the camera on their device.
4. The documents get processed.

The Live capture method can be performed in different capture modes:

* **Both manual and auto capture work at the same time**. Here, the system detects whether the document is in the right position and takes a photo.
* **Only manual capture is active**. In this mode, the applicant presses the shutter button on their camera manually to take a photo of their document.

Also, there are a few options for setting up the availability of the file upload. The **Fallback to file upload** menu in the settings determines whether the uploading of files will be:

* Always available
* Available only if camera capture failed
* Not available

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
  ### Note

  We recommend leaving the file upload option available for highest conversion rates.
</Callout>

# Get started with Live capture

Include Live capture in your verification process:

1. Set up a [verification level](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/verification-levels).
2. Add **Identity document** as your required [verification step](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/configure-verification-levels#configure-verification-steps).
3. Choose document types to be uploaded by applicants.
4. Select a capture method—**Live capture**.
5. Click the blue button on the right to set up the **Advanced DoCapture** settings.
6. In the drop-down menus, establish the **Capture mode** and **Fallback to file upload**.
7. Set up the [WebSDK](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/web-sdk) and [MobileSDK](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/mobile-sdk) integration or use the [Sumsub API](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/reference/about-sumsub-api).
8. Conduct verification and [handle verification results](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/live-capture#review-results).

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
  ### Note

  The verification level adjustments are needed for the WebSDK only. MobileSDK includes Live capture by default.
</Callout>

# Review verification results

To check out the documents provided by your applicants and their statuses, follow the instructions given in [this article](https://docs.sumsub.com/sumsub/docs/review-results-in-applicant-profile).