How to scan documents to PDF on iPhone

You don't need a scanner, a computer or an account to turn paper into a PDF. Your iPhone can already do it with apps that come with it. Here's how, with a few tips for scans that are easy to read, and when a dedicated scanner app like SnapPDF is worth having.

SnapPDF Pro unlocks signing, passwords, compression, page organizing and watermarks

Scan with the Files app (built in)

Open Files. Open the Files app and go to the folder where you want the PDF, for example On My iPhone or iCloud Drive.
Start a scan. Tap the More button (three dots) at the top of the screen and choose Scan Documents. The camera opens.
Capture each page. Hold your iPhone above the page. It finds the edges and takes the shot automatically, or tap the shutter button yourself. Drag the corners if the crop is off, then keep going for the next page.
Save the PDF. Tap Save. Files stores all the pages as one PDF in the folder you chose, ready to send by Mail, Messages or AirDrop.

Or scan into the Notes app

In Notes, open or create a note, tap the attachment button (a paperclip or camera icon, depending on your iOS version) and choose Scan Documents. The scan is kept inside the note. To get a PDF out, open the scan, tap the share button and send it or save it to Files.

Notes is handy when you want the scan kept next to other notes. Files is quicker when all you want is a PDF in a folder.

Tips for a sharp, readable scan

Use even light. Daylight near a window works well. Avoid your own shadow falling across the page.
Use a contrasting background. A dark table under white paper helps the edges get detected.
Flatten the page. Unfold creases and hold curled receipts down at the corners.
Hold the phone parallel to the page. Straight above, not at an angle, keeps text the same size from top to bottom.
Scan receipts early. Many printed receipts fade over time, so scan them while they are still clear.
Check every page before you send. A blurry page is easier to retake now than later.

Sign a scanned PDF without an extra app

Open the PDF in Files, tap the Markup button and use the plus button to add your signature. For an occasional form this is all you need.

When a scanner app helps

The built-in tools are fine for the odd page. If you scan often, you may want scans sorted into folders, searchable by the words in them, merged into one file or split apart, or protected with a password before you email them. That is what SnapPDF is for.

Why use SnapPDF – PDF Scanner

Automatic edges and perspective. SnapPDF detects the page borders and corrects the perspective, so pages come out straight and readable.
Modes for documents, receipts and ID cards. Pick the scan mode, then a color, grayscale or black-and-white look.
Searchable scans (OCR). Text recognition can run right after a scan, so you can search your documents by the words in them and copy text out.
Folders. Keep scans tidy in folders such as Work, Personal and Receipts.
Merge, split and convert. Combine PDFs, split large files, rotate pages, add page numbers, and turn JPG photos into PDFs or PDF pages into JPGs.
Pro tools. Sign PDFs, add or remove a password, compress, organize pages, add a watermark and flatten.
No account. There is no sign-up. Scanning and editing happen on your device.

Questions

Does iPhone have a built-in document scanner?

Yes. The Files and Notes apps both have Scan Documents, which detects the page edges and saves the pages as a PDF. No extra app or account is needed.

How do I scan several pages into one PDF?

Keep capturing pages before you tap Save. Files and Notes put them all in one PDF. In SnapPDF you can also merge separate PDFs into one later.

Can I make a scanned PDF searchable?

SnapPDF runs text recognition (OCR) on your scans, so you can search your documents by their text and copy it into other apps.

Can I password-protect a scanned PDF?

Yes, with SnapPDF Pro you can add a password to a PDF and remove it again later.

Need help? Visit Support or email developer@jetriseitsolutions.com.