How to scan a document on iPhone

Your iPhone can scan a document without a separate app. Here are the two built-in routes, what to do with a photo you already have, and when a scanner app helps. Back to Pagebury.

With Notes

Apple's guide gives these steps:

1. Open Notes and select a note, or create a new one.
2. Tap the Attachment button, then tap Scan Documents.
3. Place your document in view of the camera. In iOS 26, you can also select options such as flash or an image filter.
4. In Auto mode the document scans by itself. To capture it manually, tap the Shutter button or press a Volume button, then drag the corners to fit the page and tap Keep Scan.
5. Tap Done, or add additional scans to the document.

In an open note, Apple says you can also tap the More button, then tap Scan.

Without the Notes app: Files

The same guide describes the Files route. In the Files app, tap the More button, then Scan Documents, and scan as above. Choose a location, then tap Save.

If your iPhone has the Preview app, Apple's iPhone User Guide says Scan Documents there creates a PDF.

If you already have a photo

• To copy the words: Live Text lets you touch and hold a word in a photo and tap Copy. See free OCR on iPhone.
• To keep it as a scan: in Pagebury, tap + and choose From Photos. You can pick up to 50 at a time, and From Files adds image files.

When a scanner app helps

For a page or two, Notes or Files is fine. A scanner app earns its place when you:

• Need to find a scan again. Pagebury recognises the text in every scan on your iPhone, and search looks inside every page, so a name or a postcode finds the right document.
• Want a cleaner page. Choose Original, Greyscale or Clean, a crisp photocopy finish. Each look is made from the original photo, so you can switch back.
• Have a lot of pages. Scan several in one go, or import up to 50 photos, and share them as one searchable PDF.

Scans are free and unlimited, with no account and no adverts, and the app never uploads your scans. Pro is optional extras: app lock and password-protected PDFs.

Guides

• How to scan receipts on iPhone: tips for flat, readable receipt scans.
• Scan multiple pages into one PDF on iPhone: add, reorder and delete pages.
• Free OCR on iPhone: copy text from a picture or scan.
• iPhone scanner app: free, or a subscription?: what to check, and what is free in Pagebury.
• How long to keep receipts for Self Assessment: what gov.uk says, with sources.

Questions

How do I scan a document on my iPhone?

Open Notes, tap the Attachment button, then tap Scan Documents and hold the iPhone over the page. Apple gives the full steps.

Can I scan a document without the Notes app?

Yes. In the Files app, tap the More button, then Scan Documents. Apple describes this.

Can I scan a document from a photo?

In Pagebury, tap + and choose From Photos to import up to 50 at a time. To copy the words from a photo, Apple's Live Text lets you touch and hold a word and tap Copy.