How to Use the Built-in Document Scanner on iPhone (Without Downloading Apps), by Quick Tutorials on YouTube. 3 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Open the Notes app, tap the compose button for a new note, then tap the camera icon and choose Scan Documents.
Lay the page on a flat, well-lit surface. Hold the iPhone steady above it so the whole page sits inside the frame.
Let the auto shutter fire once the camera finds the page edges, or tap the shutter button to capture the page yourself.
Drag the four corner handles onto the corners of the page, tap Keep Scan, then tap Save to add the scan to your note.
Choose Scan Text instead when you only want the words. It pulls the text into the note so you can edit and copy it.
For a PDF file, open the Files app, tap the More button, choose Scan Document, scan your pages, then tap Save.
On iOS 26, open that PDF in the Preview app to sign, rotate or mark up pages, then share or save the finished file.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a plain, dark surface under the page so the camera can find the edges quickly.
Smooth out creases before scanning, because folds and shadows carry straight into the saved image.
Check the corner handles before you tap Keep Scan, or the page will come out crooked.
Name the file straight after saving so you can find it later in Files or Notes.
Questions
Do I need to download a scanner app?
No. The scanner is built into Notes and Files, so you can scan and save a PDF without installing anything.
What is the difference between Scan Documents and Scan Text?
Scan Documents saves a picture of the page as a PDF. Scan Text only copies the words into your note so you can edit them.
Can I sign the scan on my iPhone?
Yes. Open the PDF in the Preview app on iOS 26 and use the markup tools to add your signature.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
