How to scan receipts on iPhone

Your iPhone can scan a receipt to a PDF for free. Here is how, what to watch for with receipts, and where a searchable scanner helps. Back to Pagebury.

The free way: Notes

The built-in scanner in Notes needs no account and no extra app. Apple's guide gives the steps:

1. Open Notes and start a new note.
2. Tap the Attachment button, then Scan Documents.
3. Hold the iPhone over the receipt. In Auto mode it captures the page by itself.
4. Tap Save, then share the note's scan as a PDF.

The Files app has the same scanner under its More button. If all you need is a picture of the receipt, either is enough.

Getting a good scan of a receipt

• Lay it flat on a plain, darker surface, with even light and no shadow from your hand.
• Scan it soon. Many till receipts are printed on thermal paper, which can fade, so do not leave it in a wallet for months.
• Long receipts: scan the top and bottom as two pages with a little overlap, so nothing is cut off.
• Name and file it. Include the supplier and date, for example "Builders-merchant 2026-11-07", and keep the files in one folder that is backed up.

What gov.uk says about keeping receipts

This is not tax advice, so read the source pages yourself.

• Self-employed record-keeping lists all receipts for goods and stock as proof to keep.
• If you are self-employed you must keep records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year; if you are not, gov.uk says at least 22 months after the end of the tax year. The online Self Assessment deadline is 31 January 2027 for the 2025 to 2026 tax year.
• For Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, gov.uk says you must keep original records or supporting documents (or copies of them) used to prepare your return.

Those pages do not mention scans or photos of receipts, and we make no claim that HMRC approves any app. If in doubt, keep the paper receipt and ask HMRC.

Notes, or a scanner app?

If you scan a handful of receipts, Notes is fine. A scanner app earns its place once you have a lot of them and need to find one again.

Pagebury recognises the text in every scan on your iPhone, so you can search for any word, such as a supplier or a postcode, and open the right receipt. It has a Clean look for a crisp photocopy finish, and shares a searchable PDF where the words can be selected. Scans are not uploaded. Free, with optional Pro.

Pagebury is a scanner, not an expense tracker. If you want spending totals and categories, use an expense app. If you want proof to keep, a clear searchable PDF is the job.

Questions

Can I scan a receipt on my iPhone for free?

Yes. Notes and Files both have a built-in scanner with no account or subscription, as Apple explains.

How long should I keep receipts for Self Assessment?

If you are self-employed, at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline, according to gov.uk; otherwise at least 22 months after the end of the tax year.

Does HMRC accept a scan of a receipt?

The gov.uk guidance we checked talks about keeping original records or copies of them, and does not mention scans or photos. Check with HMRC if you are unsure.

Does Pagebury upload my receipts?

No. There is no account, and text recognition runs on your iPhone. See the privacy policy.