Did you know hidden away in your Notes App on your iPhone or iPad…
You have a Free Document & Photo Scanner!
With just a couple of taps, you’ll have a perfectly scanned document…
Ready to save, email, message, upload, mark up, fax, covert to PDF, share with another app, etc…
Also works great for making digital copies of all those photos you have hidden away in shoeboxes.
Here’s how to Scan Documents and Photos on your iPhone or iPad…
1) Open your “Notes” App.
2) Select the icon in the lower right corner of the screen. This is the “Create New Note” icon.
3) Tap anywhere inside the body of the note to bring up the “Options” menu. Select the “Camera” icon from the “Options” toolbar.
4) Select the option labeled “Scan Documents.”
Now, all you have to do is lay your photo or document on a flat surface with good lighting. Just select the “Shutter” button from the camera window and that photo will now have a high quality digital version on your iPhone!
I like to do it near a window for good lighting, and keep the light in front of you so you don’t create any shadows.
If you have friends who would also love a free document & photo scanner, please use the Share Buttons below to share this blog post. I really appreciate you helping spread the word about my Free Daily Tech Tips! 🙂
Liked this scan
Glad you liked it Alberto!
Thank you, this is great news.
You’re welcome Karen!
I love all your tips. You make it so easy. Thanks, thanks
Glad you find them useful Lucy!
Yahooooooo!! Thank you Pete
Very helpful – thank you!
You’re welcome Dianna!
Will this work with the new iphone 12 pro max since close up photos are hard to take?
I haven’t tested it specifically on an iPhone 12 pro max, but I’m sure it works the same on any iPhone that’s been updated to the latest operating system.
How is this different from just taking a picture with camera?
That’s what I’d like to know also.
Thanks!
Same question
My thought too….great minds think alike.
The scanner brightens the background and doc looks like it has been scanned on a regular scanner.
I need to know if it’s possible to sign a document to forward..
I have copied my signature but don’t know how to transfer it to the document if possible.
I print out the document and sign it. Then scan and send it.
Can’t wait to try it. Thanks
Enjoy Merry!
This is great but how do you attach it to an email?
Just use the box-and-arrow icon in Notepad and choose the “Mail” option. That will attach it to an email right from within Notepad.
I can’t find the box and arrow on notes
This is a great feature, gonna try it.
How is this different fro taking a picture of the document, and where is the scan stored?
Where do I find the document?
It is stored in your notes. .I think you get a better image coping as a document vrs a photo.
This is awesome, thank you!!! I love that you include pictures as well as script, you make it so easy to learn!
I do too
So where does the scanned document go? It’s not in photos.
Looks like it saves as a pdf in your Notes folder. Any other save options like jpeg?
I love getting your messages. I learn something new always. Thanks
I used to be able to do this. But now when I touch in new note the selections with camera does not appear. I have updated to latest IOS 14.4.1. Any help appreciated. I have the 8plus iPhone
I have the same question, Carol. I can’t find an online answer. I have the same IOS and phone as you do.
I have the same phone. You have to start to form your note in iCloud not under email service like gmail or yahoo otherwise the camera icon does not come up. It took me a long time to discover this.
Go into notes icon, iCloud, pick notes, start new note in bottom Right corner and camera icon appears above keyboard.
Good luck
What if I don’t have a Notes App? How do I get it?
❤️
Thank you, I was able to use it yesterday to send an important document
Thanks a million times over. You Help is Greatly appreciated.. Love the Arrows pointing to exactly where to click on that is an especially helpful.
Thank you that I saw my emails about you and I never know that, I learn that.
This is great information , thanks
How do you convert to a pdf?
Thank you so much, great help!
Thank you so much, great help! Great informatio
Thank you, so easy to do!
It is great !!!
I have had to scan and send my husband’s docs for years. I am set free. Thank you so much. Keep on sharing your stuff.
Dianne
Thank you for these helps,one at a time. Very clear.
So simple and easy, thanks!
Imagine my surprise at suddenly hearing from iPad Pete again! I was a regular for many years then was cut off for at least two years. I do enjoy the tips that you deliver. Thanks for coming back.
Loved this, but I can’t find the scan. I have no scan file.
Tried and loved the scanner! Now, how can I forward the scanned document?
Where does the scanned document show up on your phone ?
This is my first email from you. I love the scanning information. Please keep me on your email list.
Thank you so much. This is very helpful
I just tried scanning a picture. Love this feature. Thanks and your tutorial is so easy to follow. The arrows pointing is great!
OMG….so easy and quick. Just like making a deposit in to my checking account !!
What’s the difference in this than using you camera?
Thanks! This is great info and I can’t wait to try it!
Right under our noses. Very helpful!
Thanks!
Note that Scan Documents function is also available from the ellipses (…) menu in the Files app which is on all iOS devices too.
That’s where I found it. Thanks very much.
Thank you very much for all your helpful tips. On another day could you address the problem of not getting a sound notification on your phone when a text comes in when you are wearing your Apple watch?
Thank you for all your helpful tips! I scanned a few photos which came out great, and forwarded them to my cousin. My question is how do I forward them to my photos?
Thanks for the great tips.
I have always appreciated all your tips! I have an “antique” IPhone 6… Instead of having a picture of camera on btm, I have a + sign in a circle. I can scan BUT I can’t ever get scan to go to an email.I always send to myself also and hear the “whoosh”, but it never goes through. I end up having to send as a text – which works, but in business it is embarrassing to have to ask to send to si so es phone…. Any ideas WHY???
Great….Fast and easy!!!! Thank you
OMG♀️! Love your tips. Thank You so much.
I scanned the photo and saved it but I tried all the symbols below it and none let me open it to send as an attachment. I saw several comments asking for directions on how to send it. Can you help with those directions please. Thanks
PS I also love your tips and this one is exciting to learn about.
I have been a student from the first IPad. I got the membership right from the git go. I’m so grateful. Being a senior. Simple directions on screen is awesome!!
Okay. Thanks