How to scan a document with an iPhone

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

An iPhone makes clean, straight PDF scans of letters, receipts and forms. The scanner is built into Notes and Files, so you do not need an app with adverts or a subscription.

Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Open Notes and create a note

   Tap the compose button in the bottom right corner.

   Done

2. Tap the attachment button and choose Scan Documents

   The button is a paperclip above the keyboard. On older versions it is a camera icon.

   Done

3. Hold the phone over the page

   Place the paper on a dark, flat surface in good light. A yellow box finds the edges and the phone takes the picture by itself. Use the shutter button if it does not.

   Done

4. Scan more pages

   The scanner stays open. Put the next page down and it is added to the same document.

   Done

5. Tap Save

   The scan appears in the note. Tap it to crop, rotate or change it to black and white.

   Done

6. Share it as a PDF

   Tap the scan, then the share button, and choose Mail, Messages or Save to Files. It is sent as one PDF.

   Done

Good to know

The Files app has the same scanner: tap the three dots at the top and choose Scan Documents. The PDF is saved straight into the folder you are in.

To put several scans or photos into one PDF, or to make a scan smaller for an upload form, use our free tools: Merge PDF and Compress PDF.

Avoid shadows by standing so the light comes from the side, not from behind you.

In short: Notes, new note, attachment button, Scan Documents, Save, share as PDF.