In today’s fast-moving world, convenience is king—and your iPhone is more powerful than you think. If you’ve ever asked, “How do I scan with my iPhone?” you’re not alone. Most iPhone users don’t realize their device has a built-in document scanner that’s fast, accurate, and shockingly easy to use.
Whether you want to scan a signed contract, a handwritten note, a page from a book, or a receipt, your iPhone has everything you need to turn real-world documents into high-quality digital copies within seconds—no bulky hardware required.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to scan documents, save or share them, and make your iPhone a reliable tool for work, school, or everyday life.
Why Use Your iPhone to Scan?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s look at why scanning with your iPhone makes so much sense:
- It’s fast — no setup or cables needed
- You always have it with you
- You can scan and share instantly
- The quality is surprisingly good
- It helps you go paperless
Whether you’re a student, professional, freelancer, or just someone who wants to stay organized, learning how to scan with your iPhone can save you time, money, and stress.
What You Need to Scan with Your iPhone
All you need is an iPhone running iOS 13 or later, which includes a built-in scanner in the Notes app and in the Files app. You don’t need to download anything extra—Apple has provided everything you need right out of the box.
Recommended iPhones for best scanning quality include:
- iPhone X and newer
- iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, and newer
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and above)
Older models will still work, but newer ones have better cameras and smarter document detection.
Method 1: How to Scan Documents Using the Notes App
The Notes app has a built-in scanner that’s perfect for capturing documents, forms, business cards, and receipts.
Step-by-Step: Scanning with Notes App
- Open the Notes app.
- Tap the compose button (a square with a pencil) to create a new note.
- Tap the camera icon above your keyboard.
- Choose “Scan Documents.”
- Hold your iPhone over the document.
- The scanner will automatically detect the edges and snap the scan, or you can press the shutter button to capture it manually.
- Adjust the corners if needed.
- Tap “Keep Scan.”
- Repeat for multiple pages, then tap “Save.”
Now your scan is embedded in the note, ready to view, mark up, or share.
Bonus Tip:
You can also add scanned documents to existing notes for easy reference.
Method 2: Scanning with the Files App
The Files app is another Apple native tool that lets you scan and save documents directly to folders in iCloud Drive or on your iPhone.
Steps:
- Open the Files app.
- Navigate to the folder where you want to save your scan.
- Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap “Scan Documents.”
- Position the camera over your document.
- Adjust as needed, then tap Keep Scan and finally Save.
This is a great method for those who organize their files digitally and want direct cloud access.
How to Edit and Share Scanned Documents
Once your document is scanned, you can do a lot with it:
Edit the Scan:
- Crop or adjust corners
- Apply filters (color, grayscale, black & white)
- Rotate pages
- Rearrange multi-page documents
Share the Scan:
- Tap the Share icon to send via Mail, Messages, or AirDrop
- Save to Files, Photos, or your favorite cloud storage
- Print directly from your iPhone
Mark Up the Scan:
- Tap the pen icon to annotate, highlight, sign, or add notes
This is especially useful for signing documents or marking up PDFs before sending them back.
Tips for Getting the Best Scans
Getting a clean, readable scan depends on more than just your camera. Use these tips to get the highest quality:
- Use good lighting – Natural light or a desk lamp helps reduce shadows.
- Place on a flat surface – A clean background helps the scanner detect edges better.
- Avoid glare – Tilt your phone slightly if scanning glossy paper.
- Hold steady – Let the scanner auto-capture or use a light touch on the shutter.
- Use white or solid backgrounds – Especially useful for smaller documents like receipts.
What Can You Scan with Your iPhone?
You can scan just about anything, including:
- Printed documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Receipts for taxes or reimbursement
- ID cards (just for reference, not official duplication)
- Handwritten notes
- Flyers, posters, or business cards
- Books and articles
For multi-page documents, the Notes app stitches all pages together into a single file, which is ideal for reports or school assignments.
Scanning and Saving as PDF
By default, your iPhone scans are saved as images inside the Notes app. But you can also save them as PDF files for easy sharing and printing.
Here’s how:
- After scanning, tap the Share icon.
- Choose “Save to Files”.
- Choose a folder and tap Save — it will be saved as a PDF.
Alternatively, you can tap “Print” and use the pinch-out gesture on the preview to create a PDF, then save or share it.
Using the iPhone Camera as a Quick Scanner (Manual Method)
If you don’t need a full scan and just want a photo of a document:
- Open the Camera app.
- Point it at your document.
- Tap the screen to focus, then tap the shutter.
You can later crop the image and adjust it in the Photos app, but it won’t have the same features like edge detection or multi-page support that Notes or Files offer.
Optional: Using Shortcuts for One-Tap Scanning
If you frequently scan documents, setting up a Shortcut on your home screen can save time.
Basic Shortcut idea:
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Tap + to create a new shortcut
- Add action: Scan Document
- Save and name it “Quick Scan”
Now you can scan in one tap, and the scan will be saved where you want (e.g., Notes or Files).
Why Use Built-in Tools Over Third-Party Apps?
Many scanning apps exist—but here’s why Apple’s built-in tools are preferred:
- Free with your iPhone—no hidden costs
- Private and secure—no need to upload to third-party servers
- No ads or distractions
- Integrated with iOS apps like Notes, Files, and Mail
- Easy access from your home screen
Unless you need advanced OCR or editing tools, the built-in options are more than enough for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does scanning with iPhone work offline?
Yes. The Notes and Files apps work completely offline. You don’t need Wi-Fi or cellular to scan.
Q: Can I scan a document and send it as a PDF?
Absolutely. Use the Notes app to scan, tap Share, then choose Save to Files or Mail—it will save as a PDF.
Q: Can I scan handwritten notes?
Yes, your iPhone can scan handwritten notes clearly. You can even use Mark Up to add highlights or annotations.
Q: Are scans saved in the cloud?
If you save them to iCloud Drive via the Files app or enable iCloud Notes, yes. Otherwise, they stay on your device.
Q: Is it secure to scan personal documents?
Yes. Scanned files saved locally on your iPhone are private unless you manually share them. You can also enable device encryption and Face ID for added security.
Final Thoughts
Your iPhone is more than just a phone—it’s a powerful tool that can scan documents, capture notes, and help you stay productive no matter where you are. Knowing how to scan with your iPhone unlocks a whole new level of convenience and digital organization.
From scanning documents on-the-go to saving receipts, signing PDFs, or sharing assignments, the built-in tools in iOS make it all fast, secure, and effortless.
So next time someone asks, “Do you have a scanner?”—just smile, pull out your iPhone, and scan like a pro.
Would you like a printable cheat sheet or step-by-step image graphic to accompany this guide?