Turn Your iPhone Into a Document Scanner Without Installing Another App

You need to send someone a signed form, receipt, or printed document. Taking an ordinary photograph might work, but the result can be difficult to read if the paper is crooked or the background is distracting.

Your iPhone includes a document-scanning feature. You do not necessarily need a dedicated scanner or another application.

Open the Notes app

Create a new note or open an existing one. Look for the attachment control and choose the document-scanning option. The exact appearance of the controls can vary between iOS versions.

Apple documents document scanning as a built-in Notes capability.

Position the document

Place the paper on a flat surface with good lighting. Hold the iPhone above it. Try to keep the entire document visible and avoid casting a shadow across the page.

The scanner may automatically detect the document's boundaries. Review the result and adjust the corners if necessary.

Scan multiple pages

If your document contains several pages, continue scanning until you have captured all of them. Review each page before saving. Make sure signatures, dates, and small text remain readable.

Save and share

Save the scan in Notes. Use the available sharing controls to send the document through an appropriate application or save it where you need it.

Be careful when sharing documents containing personal information. Verify the recipient before sending sensitive records.

The bottom line

Your iPhone can handle many everyday scanning tasks without additional equipment. For receipts, forms, and ordinary paperwork, the built-in Notes scanner is a convenient place to start.

Sources and further reading

Apple — Get started with Notes on iPhone: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-notes-iph9e04f3be2/ios