Effortlessly Scan Documents on iPhone - 2024 Expert Tips

Scanning documents on an iPhone is a valuable skill, but many users struggle with the process. Does the camera is the only option? Can you convert files to different formats?

Fortunately, the Notes and Files apps can scan documents and save them as PDFs that can be easily stored and signed. In this article, we'll provide a simple guide to scanning documents on your iPhone and answer common questions about the process.

Way 1: Using the Notes App

The Notes app on your iPhone is a handy tool that can be used to scan and store important documents, receipts, and even business cards. By using this app, you can easily keep track of important information and access it whenever you need it.

Steps to Scan a Document with the Notes App:

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
2. Create a new note or open an existing one.
3. Tap the camera icon in the toolbar.
4. Select "Scan Documents".
   

   Steps to Use Notes App Scan Documents
5. Position your document within the on-screen borders and tap the shutter button.
6. Adjust the corners of the document as needed using the on-screen guides.
7. Choose a filter option to enhance the quality of the scan, if desired.
8. Tap "Save" to save the scanned document to your note.

Way 2: Using the Files App

The Files app on your iPhone is another built-in tool that can be used to scan and store documents. If you prefer to keep your scanned documents organized within your files, this may be the method for you.

Steps to Scan a Document with the Files App:

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the scanned document or create a new folder.
3. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
4. Select "Scan Documents" from the drop-down menu.


Steps to Use Files App Scan Documents

5. Position your document within the on-screen borders and tap the shutter button.
6. Adjust the corners of the document as needed using the on-screen guides.
7. Choose a filter option to enhance the quality of the scan, if desired.
8. Tap "Save" to save the scanned document to your selected folder.

Now that you know the two ways to scan documents on your iPhone, here are some useful tips to get the perfect scan and customize your scanned documents.

Make Adjustments to Get the Perfect Scanned Documents

Getting a clear and legible scanned document can sometimes be a challenge. However, by making some simple adjustments, you can improve the quality of your scanned documents and ensure they look professional.

Steps to Make Adjustments:

1. After scanning your document, tap on the scanned image within the Note or File App.
2. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Markup" from the drop-down menu.


Steps to Make Adjustments on the Scanned Image

4. Use the tools provided to adjust the brightness, contrast, or other aspects of the image as needed.
5. Tap "Done" to save your changes.

Sign, Share, or Save Your Scanned Document

After scanning your document on your iPhone, you may need to sign it, share it with others, or save it for future reference. Fortunately, the iPhone provides built-in tools to help you complete these tasks with ease.

Steps to Sign a Scanned Document:

1. After scanning your document, tap on the scanned image within the Note or File App.
2. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Markup" from the drop-down menu.
4. Tap on the signature icon at the bottom right of the screen.
5. Choose "Add or Remove Signature".


Steps to Add or Remove Signature

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to create and save your signature.
7. Tap the signature icon again and select your saved signature.
8. Position and resize your signature as needed on the document.
9. Tap "Done" to save your changes.

Steps to Share or Save a Scanned Document:

You can share, or save your scanned document directly from your iPhone, making it easy to manage important information on-the-go.

1. After scanning your document, tap on the scanned image within the note or file.
2. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Share" or "Save to Files" from the drop-down menu.


Steps to Share or Save to Files

4. Choose the method you prefer to share or save the document.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Steps to Save a Scanned Document as PDF:

Saving your scanned document as a PDF is a great way to ensure that it can be easily viewed and shared on multiple devices.

1. After scanning your document, tap on the scanned image within the note or file.
2. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Markup" from the drop-down menu.


Select Markup

4. Tap on the share icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
5. Swipe left on the second row of icons to reveal the "Create PDF" option.
6. Tap "Create PDF" and wait for the conversion process to complete.
7. Tap "Done" in the upper-left corner of the screen to save the PDF.

How to Mark Up a Scanned Document

Once you have scanned a document on your iPhone, you may want to make some edits or annotations to it.

Steps to Mark Up a Scanned Document:

1. After scanning your document, tap on the scanned image within the note or file.
2. Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select "Markup" from the drop-down menu.


Select Markup

4. Use the tools at the bottom of the screen to add text, drawings, shapes, or signatures.
5. Use your finger or an Apple Pencil (on compatible devices) to make your edits.
6. Tap "Done" in the upper-left corner of the screen to save your changes.

Requirements for Using Markup Tools

• The document must be in a compatible format, such as a PDF or image file.
• The document must be saved within the Notes or Files app on your iPhone.
• To use an Apple Pencil, you must have a compatible device, such as an iPad Pro or iPad Air.

Delete the Scanned Dcoument You Don't Want

Deleting scanned documents on iPhone can help you free up space and keep your device organized.

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the "Notes" app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the scanned document you want to delete.
3. Tap on the "Delete" button, which looks like a trash can icon.


Delete the Scanned Dcoument

4. Confirm that you want to delete the document by tapping "Delete" again.

Bonus Tip: You Can Scan Documents with Continuity Camera on Mac Using Your iPhone.

Continuity Camera is a feature that allows you to use your iPhone or iPad's camera to quickly take a photo or scan a document, and have it appear instantly on your Mac.

To use Continuity Camera:

Make sure your Mac and iOS device are both signed in to the same iCloud account and are on the same Wi-Fi network.

1. Open a document or file that you want to add a scanned image to, such as a Pages or TextEdit document.
2. Click on the location where you want to insert the scanned image, then go to the "File" menu and select "Insert from iPhone or iPad" and then choose "Scan Documents".
   

   Insert from iPhone or iPad Option

3. Your iPhone or iPad's camera app will open automatically.Hold the device steady over the document you want to scan, making sure that the document is within the frame of the camera.
4. The camera app will automatically detect the edges of the document and highlight them. You can adjust the edges if needed, and use the filters to enhance the image quality.
5. Once you're satisfied with the scan, tap "Keep Scan" to save the image to your device.

The following apps support Continuity Camera:

• Finder
• Keynote
• Numbers
• Pages
• TextEdit
• Mail
• Messages

Scanning vs. Taking Photo: What's the Difference?

When it comes to digitizing documents, you might be wondering whether to scan or take a photo. While both methods can capture an image of your document, there are several differences between the two.

Image Quality:

Scanning produces high-quality images that are clearer and sharper than photos, especially when dealing with text and graphics.

Formats:

Scanning allows you to save your document in different formats, including PDF, TIFF, and JPEG, while taking a photo is usually limited to JPEG.

Searchability:

Scanned documents can be easily searched for specific words or phrases, while photos are not typically searchable unless you use specialized software.

File Size:

Scanned documents tend to have smaller file sizes compared to photos, which can be useful if you have limited storage space.

Editing:

Scanned documents can be easily edited and modified using OCR (optical character recognition) software, while photos may require additional editing tools to achieve similar results.

Customization:

Scanning also allows for more customization options, such as selecting the resolution and adjusting the color and contrast.

Quick:

Taking a photo may be quicker than scanning, but the quality and functionality of the resulting image may not be as good as a scanned document.