Scanning a document with your iPhone is a breeze! All you need is your iPhoneโs built-in camera and the Notes app. Once you open the app, create a new note, tap on the camera icon, and select โScan Documents.โ Hold your phone above the document and it will automatically capture the page. You can adjust the corners if necessary, and then save it as a PDF or image file. Simple as that!
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Scan a Document with iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, letโs just say, this process is going to make your life so much easier. No more searching for a scanner. Youโve got everything you need right in your pocket.
Step 1: Open the Notes app on your iPhone
Open the Notes app on your iPhone to get started.
The Notes app is your go-to for scanning documents. Itโs pre-installed, so no need to download anything extra. Just tap on the app and youโre halfway there.
Step 2: Create a new note
Click on the icon to create a new note.
Once youโre in the Notes app, look for that little icon that looks like a square with a pen. Thatโs your ticket to creating a new note. Tap it and youโre ready for the next step.
Step 3: Tap the camera icon
Tap on the camera icon within your new note.
Now, youโll see a camera icon on the bottom of the screen. Itโs usually right above the keyboard. Give it a tap and a few options will pop up.
Step 4: Select โScan Documentsโ
Choose the โScan Documentsโ option from the menu.
Out of the options that pop up, youโll want to select โScan Documents.โ This tells your iPhone that youโre looking to scan, not take a regular photo.
Step 5: Position your iPhone over the document to be scanned
Hold your iPhone above the document you wish to scan.
Make sure your document is on a flat surface with good lighting. Hold your iPhone above it, and watch as it magically recognizes the document and captures the page. If it doesnโt automatically scan, you can press the shutter button.
Step 6: Adjust the scan area if necessary
Drag the corners to adjust the scan area if needed.
Sometimes the automatic scan gets it a bit wrong. No worries! You can manually adjust the corners by dragging them until they line up with the edges of your document.
Step 7: Save the scanned document
Save the scanned document to your notes or share it.
Yay! Youโve scanned your document. Now you can save it straight to your notes or share it via email or messages by tapping the share icon.
After completing these steps, your document will be scanned and saved in the Notes app. You can then share it, save it to the Files app, or even add more scans to it.
Tips for Scanning a Document with iPhone
- Make sure thereโs plenty of light. This will help your camera capture the document clearly.
- Keep your hands steady. A blurry scan is no good to anybody.
- If the document is multiple pages, you can scan them all in one go. Just keep positioning and scanning each page.
- Once saved, you can convert your scans to PDF by tapping the share icon and selecting โCreate PDF.โ
- Remember, you can also sign or mark up your scanned documents right in the Notes app before sharing them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scanning Documents with iPhone
What should I do if the scan quality is poor?
Make sure you have good lighting and that youโre holding your iPhone steady. You can also manually adjust the scan area.
Can I scan more than one page at a time?
Yes, you can scan multiple pages into one document by continuing to position and scan each page before saving.
Where are my scanned documents saved?
They are saved in the Notes app, but you can also save them to the Files app or share them through email or messages.
Can I edit the scanned document before saving it?
Yes, you can use the markup tool in the Notes app to edit or sign your document.
Is there a limit to the number of pages I can scan?
No, you can scan as many pages as you need. The Notes app will combine them into a single document.
Summary
- Open the Notes app.
- Create a new note.
- Tap the camera icon.
- Select โScan Documents.โ
- Position your iPhone over the document.
- Adjust the scan area if necessary.
- Save the scanned document.
Conclusion
There you have it! Scanning a document with your iPhone is a straightforward process that can be done anywhere, anytime. Gone are the days of bulky scanners and waiting to get to the office. With just a few taps, you can capture, edit, and share your important documents with ease. Whether youโre a student, a professional, or just someone trying to keep their paperwork organized, scanning with your iPhone is a game-changer. So the next time youโre faced with a stack of papers, remember this guide and scan away!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelorโs and Masterโs degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.