By the DevX mobile testing team. We tested every scanning method in this guide on iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone SE (3rd gen) running iOS 18 and iOS 17. We verified scanning via the Notes app, Files app, Camera app (QR codes and Live Text), third-party scanner apps, and the built-in document signing feature. All steps confirmed working as of March 2026.
Your iPhone has a powerful document scanner built right in — no app download needed. You can scan receipts, contracts, IDs, whiteboards, and any physical document into a clean, high-quality PDF in seconds. Here’s every way to scan on iPhone.
Method 1: Scan With the Notes App (Most Popular)
The Notes app has the best built-in scanning experience:
- Open the Notes app
- Create a new note or open an existing one
- Tap the Camera icon (or the attachment icon) in the toolbar
- Select Scan Documents
- Position your iPhone camera over the document
- The scanner automatically detects edges and captures the scan (you’ll see a yellow overlay)
- If it doesn’t auto-capture, tap the shutter button manually
- Adjust the corners if needed by dragging the handles
- Tap Keep Scan to accept, or Retake to try again
- Scan additional pages if needed — tap the shutter for each page
- When done, tap Save
The scanned document is saved inside the note as a multi-page PDF. You can tap on it to view, annotate, or share it.
Share or Export the Scan as PDF
- In the note, tap and hold the scanned document
- Tap Share
- Choose how to share — AirDrop, Mail, Messages, Save to Files, or any other app
Method 2: Scan With the Files App
If you want to save scans directly as PDF files rather than inside Notes:
- Open the Files app
- Navigate to the folder where you want to save the scan
- Tap the three-dot menu (top right) → Scan Documents
- Scan your document using the camera (same process as Notes)
- Tap Save
- The scan is saved as a PDF file directly in that folder
This method is ideal for keeping scans organized in iCloud Drive or on your device.
Method 3: Scan QR Codes With the Camera
- Open the Camera app
- Point it at a QR code
- A notification banner appears at the top — tap it to open the link
No special mode needed — the iPhone camera automatically recognizes QR codes. This also works from the Lock Screen camera.
Method 4: Live Text (Extract Text From Photos)
iOS can read and extract text from any photo or camera view:
- Open the Camera app and point it at text (a document, sign, business card, etc.)
- Tap the Live Text icon (small text icon in the corner)
- Select the text you want to copy, translate, or look up
- Tap Copy to paste it anywhere
This also works on photos already in your camera roll — open any photo, tap the Live Text icon, and select text.
How To Sign a Scanned Document
You can add your signature to any scanned PDF directly on your iPhone:
- Open the scanned document (in Notes, Files, or any PDF viewer)
- Tap the Markup icon (pen tip icon)
- Tap the + button → Add Signature
- Sign with your finger on the screen
- Tap Done
- Drag and resize the signature to position it on the document
- Tap Done to save
Your signature is saved for reuse — you won’t need to sign again next time.
Scanning Tips for Best Quality
- Good lighting: Use natural light or overhead lighting. Avoid shadows falling across the document.
- Flat surface: Place the document on a flat, contrasting surface (white document on a dark desk works best).
- Hold steady: Keep your iPhone parallel to the document to avoid perspective distortion.
- Auto-capture: The scanner works best in auto mode — it detects edges and adjusts perspective automatically.
- Multi-page documents: Keep scanning pages one after another before tapping Save to create a single multi-page PDF.
Best Third-Party Scanner Apps
While the built-in scanner handles most needs, these apps offer advanced features:
- Adobe Scan (free) — OCR text recognition, auto-crop, cloud storage integration
- Microsoft Lens (free) — Integrates with OneDrive and Office, whiteboard mode
- Genius Scan (free/premium) — Batch scanning, smart naming, cloud sync
More iPhone Guides From DevX
- How To Screenshot on iPhone (2026)
- How To Screen Record on iPhone (2026)
- How To AirDrop (2026)
- How To Transfer Photos From iPhone to Computer (2026)
- How To Get More Storage on iPhone (2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone scanner create searchable PDFs?
The built-in Notes/Files scanner creates image-based PDFs — the text is captured as an image. For OCR (searchable text), use Live Text to copy text, or use Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens which include OCR processing.
Can I scan multiple pages into one PDF?
Yes. During scanning, just keep tapping the shutter for each page. All pages are combined into a single multi-page PDF when you tap Save.
What resolution are iPhone scans?
iPhone scans use your camera’s full resolution, producing high-quality PDF pages suitable for printing, emailing, or archiving. The auto-enhancement feature adjusts contrast and removes shadows for clean, readable results.
Can I scan documents without the Notes app?
Yes. Use the Files app (has the same scanner), third-party apps like Adobe Scan, or simply take a photo and use Live Text to extract the text content.
