With the popularity of the iPhone, it is necessary for people to learn how to scan documents on their iPhones. You may need to scan a document and send it to someone, or you want to upload a document to the cloud. It’s quite easy to scan a document with your iPhone with only a few easy steps. In this article, you will learn how to scan a document on an iPhone.
The traditional way of scanning a document is by using a scanner connected to a computer. With the advancement of technology, you can now scan documents using your smartphone. Scanning through your smartphone is more convenient because it’s easier to carry and allows you to scan a document while on-the-go. You can scan a document to either save it on your phone or email it to someone who needs it. Therefore, you don’t need to buy a scanner or go to an internet cafe just to scan a document.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Learn How to Scan A Document on An iPhone
Scanning a document on your iPhone comes in handy in various situations. You might be required to scan an important document that you need to send via email or archive for future reference. You may also need to upload a scanned document to the cloud, for example, Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Instead of buying a scanner, learning how to scan documents on your iPhone can save you money, time, and storage space. Therefore, scanning a document not only saves you money, but it is also eco-friendly since it eliminates the need to print documents on paper.
Method 1: Using the Notes App
The Notes app on the iPhone has a built-in scanner that allows users to scan a document. The app can scan multiple pages, and it saves the scanned document as a pdf file. Follow the steps below to scan a document on the iPhone using the Notes app.
Steps:
Step 1: Launch the Notes app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Create a new note.
Step 3: Tap the camera icon at the bottom.
Step 4: Select the scan document option.
Step 5: Position the camera over the document until it’s detected by the app.
Step 6: The app automatically adjusts the focus, and it captures the document.
Step 7: Scroll down to add more pages.
Step 8: Once you’ve scanned all the pages, tap save.
Pros:
– The Notes app is already installed on iPhones, saving you the trouble of downloading a third-party app.
– Supports OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
– You can scan multiple pages in one document.
– It is free to use.
Cons:
– The scanned document is only saved in the Notes app.
– The Notes app doesn’t have an option to share the document directly to other apps like email.
Method 2: Using Files App
The Files app on the iPhone helps you organize, browse, and view files. It also has a built-in scanner. To scan a document using the Files app, follow the steps below.
Steps:
Step 1: Launch the Files app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on the three dots located on the top right.
Step 3: Select the scan document option.
Step 4: Position the camera over the document until it’s detected by the app.
Step 5: The app automatically adjusts the focus, and it captures the document.
Step 6: Once you’ve scanned all the pages, you can name the document and choose a folder to save it to.
Pros:
– You can save the scanned document to multiple locations.
– Supports OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
– It is free to use.
Cons:
– It is only available on iOS 13 and later versions.
Method 3: Using Scanner Pro by Readdle
Scanner Pro is a third-party app on the App Store that turns your iPhone into a portable scanner. It has additional features like organizing, editing, and annotating scanned documents. On the other hand, the app will cost you some money. It’s available on the App Store for $3.99.
Steps:
Step 1: Download and install Scanner Pro from the App Store.
Step 2: Launch the app.
Step 3: Position the camera over the document until it’s detected by the app.
Step 4: The app automatically adjusts the focus, and it captures the document.
Step 5: The app now recognizes the text, and you can save the scanned document to your preferred location.
Pros:
– It supports OCR (Optical Character Recognition).
– You can edit the scanned document within the app, including adding signatures and other annotations.
– It supports various file formats, including jpg, pdf, and png.
Cons:
– It will cost you $3.99.
– You need to have a stable internet connection to use some of its features and add-ons.
What to Do If You Can’t Scan A Document on An iPhone
If you encounter any issues when scanning a document on your iPhone, try the following fix.
Fix:
Restart your phone and launch the app again. Make sure you have enough storage on your iPhone, as insufficient storage can cause apps to malfunction.
Bonus Tip
It’s advisable to clean the camera lens of your iPhone before scanning a document to avoid blurry images. Also, make sure that you have enough light in the area to avoid blurry images or ambiguous scans.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is it safe to scan a document on an iPhone?
A: Yes, it is safe to scan documents on iPhones, just like scanning on a computer. However, you should always use secure wireless networks when sending sensitive documents via email.
Q2: Can I scan a handwritten document using my iPhone?
A: Yes, you can scan a handwritten document using your iPhone. However, the text recognition feature may not be useful as the app might confuse the handwritten text.
Q3: How can I keep my scanned document secure on my iPhone?
A: You can keep your scanned document secure on your iPhone by using a password or saving it to a secure cloud platform like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Q4: Can I scan a document on iPhone without Wi-Fi?
A: Yes, you can scan a document on an iPhone without Wi-Fi, but if you want to upload the scanned document to the cloud, you need an internet connection.
Q5: How do I email a scanned document using my iPhone?
A: Open the app where you’ve saved the scanned document, tap the share icon, and then choose email from the list of options. Enter the recipient’s email address and send the email.
Final Thoughts
Scanning a document on your iPhone is easy and straightforward. Using either the Notes app, the Files app, or Scanner Pro, you can scan a document, save it, and share it with others. Each method has its pros and cons, so choose one that suits your preference and budget. Learning how to scan documents on your iPhone is a skill that can save you time and money and is eco-friendly since it reduces the need to print documents.