How to Scan Documents on iPhone (3 Ways, Free and Paid)

Option 1: Scan with the Notes app

Notes has had a document scanner for years. It's the quickest way to capture a page you want to keep alongside other notes.

1. Open Notes and create a new note.
2. Tap the camera or attachment icon and choose Scan Documents.
3. Hold the iPhone over the page. It detects the edges and captures automatically, or you can tap the shutter.
4. Drag the corners to adjust the crop if needed, then tap Keep Scan.
5. Scan more pages or tap Save. To get a PDF out, open the scan and use the Share button.

Option 2: Scan straight into the Files app

If you want the PDF saved as a file rather than inside a note, scan from Files.

1. Open Files and go to the folder where the PDF should live (On My iPhone or iCloud Drive).
2. Tap the More button (three dots) and choose Scan Documents.
3. Capture your pages the same way as in Notes, then tap Save.
4. Rename the new PDF so you can find it later.

Option 3: Use a dedicated scanner app

The built-in tools are fine for a page or two. A dedicated scanner earns its place when you scan often or need to do something with the document afterwards: pull the text out, sign it, reorder pages, or keep a searchable library.

ScanIt is the scanner we build. It covers that whole workflow in one place:

• Multi-page scanning with automatic document capture
• Enhancement modes that make text easier to read
• OCR text extraction, so you can copy and reuse what's on the page
• Crop, rotate and reorder pages before you export
• A built-in signature step for forms and agreements
• Export to PDF and share to Files, Mail, Messages and more
• A library you can rename and search

ScanIt is free to download, with a Pro upgrade for high-volume scanning and advanced editing.

Tips for better scans

• Use a dark, plain surface under white paper. Edge detection works best with contrast.
• Avoid overhead shadows: tilt slightly or scan near a window rather than under a single ceiling light.
• Flatten creased pages. A book or your free hand at the edge is enough.
• Scan every page of a document in one session so it exports as a single PDF.
• Name files with a date and subject (for example "2026-10 lease agreement") so search finds them.

Which method should you use?

For an occasional receipt, Notes or Files is all you need. If you scan homework, contracts or paperwork every week, or you need to sign or copy text from what you scan, a dedicated app saves time on every document. Next, see how to sign a document on iPhone.

Frequently asked questions

Keep reading

• How to Sign a Document on iPhone Without Printing It