To scan documents with iPhone, open Notes, start a note, tap the Attachment button (the paperclip) and choose Scan Documents. Hold the page in view and the iPhone captures it automatically, or tap the Shutter button. Drag the corners to fit, tap Keep Scan, then Done.
Prefer a file you can store in a folder? In the Files app, tap the More button, choose Scan Documents, then pick a location and tap Save.
You don’t need a flatbed scanner or a paid app. Apple builds a document scanner into Notes and Files, and it straightens, crops and cleans up pages for you. It’s handy all year, but especially during tax season, when W-2s, 1099s and receipts need to reach your tax preparer. More tips live in our iPhone guides.
How to scan documents with iPhone in the Notes app
Notes is the quickest option because you can scan, sign and share from one place.
- Open Notes and choose an existing note or create a new one.
- Tap the Attachment button (paperclip icon), then tap Scan Documents. In an open note you can also tap the More button and choose Scan.
- Place the document in view of the camera.
- In Auto mode, the iPhone captures the page on its own. To capture manually, tap the Shutter button or press either Volume button.
- Drag the corners so the frame fits the page, then tap Keep Scan.
- Scan the next page if you have one, or tap Done. All pages stay together in the note.
Auto or manual capture?
Auto works well for a single sheet on a plain surface. Switch to manual if the iPhone keeps snapping before you are ready, or if it can’t find the edges of a small receipt. Manual also helps with wrinkled pages, because you decide when the shot is steady.
Flash and filters
On iOS 26 and later, Apple notes that the scanner offers flash and image filter options while you scan. A black-and-white or grayscale filter can make text easier to read and keep the file smaller. Button positions can differ slightly by iOS version.
Scan straight into the Files app
Files is the better choice when you want each scan saved as its own document in a folder, such as a “Taxes 2026” folder in iCloud Drive or on your iPhone.
- Open the Files app.
- Tap the More button, then tap Scan Documents.
- Capture each page the same way as in Notes, adjusting corners and tapping Keep Scan.
- Tap Save when you are finished, choose a location, and tap Save again.
The scan is saved as a document (typically a PDF) that you can rename, move, share or attach to an email like any other file.
Sign a scanned document
Need to sign a form and send it back? You can do it in Notes without printing anything.
- Open the note and tap the scanned document.
- Tap the Markup button.
- Tap the Add button, then tap Signature. Pick a saved signature or create a new one.
- Drag the signature into place, resize it if needed, and tap Done.
You can also sign by hand with the drawing tools, using your finger or an Apple Pencil on iPad.
Notes or Files: which should you use?
| You want to… | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Scan and sign a form quickly | Notes | Markup and Signature are a tap away |
| Keep scans organized in folders | Files | You choose the folder when you save |
| Scan several pages into one note | Notes | Pages stay grouped in a single note |
| Share a document with a preparer or office | Files | The scan is already a standalone file |
Tips for clean, readable scans
- Use good, even light. Daylight from a window beats an overhead lamp that casts your phone’s shadow across the page.
- Contrast helps. White paper on a dark table makes it easier for the iPhone to find the edges.
- Flatten the page. Fold lines and curled corners show up as shadows.
- Hold the phone straight above the page. The scanner corrects some tilt, but a straight shot looks sharper.
- Check every page before you send it. Zoom in on small print such as account numbers and totals.
Using iPhone scans at tax time
Phone scans are a simple way to keep copies of tax paperwork. Scan each W-2, 1099 and receipt as it arrives, save them in one Files folder, and you will have everything in one place when you file. Ask your tax preparer what format they want and how they want to receive documents.
Tax forms contain your Social Security number. Share them only through a method your preparer has confirmed, and never in reply to an unexpected email or text that claims to be from the IRS. Our security guides explain how to spot those scams.
If it doesn’t work
- No Scan Documents option. Make sure Notes and iOS are up to date in Settings → General → Software Update. Menu names can differ slightly between versions.
- The iPhone won’t find the page edges. Switch to manual capture, then drag the corners yourself.
- Scans are blurry. Clean the camera lens, add light and hold still for a second before capturing.
- You can’t find the saved scan. In Notes, search for the note. In Files, check the folder you picked, or tap Recents.
- The file is too big to email. If you photographed pages instead of scanning them, our free image compressor can shrink the photos, and HEIC to JPG converts them for PCs that can’t open iPhone photos.
Related guide: How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone (and Spot a Fake One First).
FAQ
Does the iPhone have a built-in document scanner?
Yes. The scanner is built into the Notes and Files apps. You don’t need to download anything.
Can I scan multiple pages into one document?
Yes. Keep scanning after each page and tap Done when you are finished. All pages are saved together.
How do I sign a scanned document on iPhone?
Open the scan in Notes, tap the Markup button, tap the Add button, choose Signature, and place it on the page.
Where do Files app scans go?
Wherever you choose when you tap Save, such as a folder in iCloud Drive or on your iPhone.
Are iPhone scans good enough for tax documents?
They are clear enough for most personal records. Check with your tax preparer about the format they need, and share tax forms only through a method they have confirmed.
