How to scan on iPhone and iPad

Turn your iOS device into a mobile scanner

27 jun 2025

Are you wondering how to scan with an iPhone or iPad? Scanning physical contracts or paper projects is a great way to take advantage of digitalized files for improved storage, organization, and security. 

Do you need to send a paper invoice by email? Instead of scanning using expensive equipment, 

use your iPhone as a free document scanner.

On top of reducing reliance on equipment, scanning pages means you don’t need to rely on sending anything in the post, which can be a real security risk. 

This post will teach you how to scan on iPhone and iPad with two methods. Using Apple’s Notes app and with the Mobile Scanner from iLovePDF

Key takeaways

  • You can scan documents with the built-in Notes app or a mobile scanner like iLovePDF
  • Scanning on mobile helps you save time, reduce paper use, and improve digital organization
  • iLovePDF allows you to scan, optimize, and send files straight to your computer
  • You can convert scanned files to PDF/A for long-term archiving
  • Secure and compress your scans easily using iLovePDF’s free tools

Method 1: Scan on iPhone and iPad using the Notes app

The Notes app is a feature of every iOS device and is one of the most common ways to use an iPhone to scan. This method quickly uploads and converts images into PDF inside of the Notes app.

  1. Open the Notes app on your iOS device. 
  2. Tap on the new note icon at the bottom-right of the screen. 
  3. Tap on the Camera icon and select Scan Documents.
  4. Take photos of each page you want to scan and tap Save.

Method 2: Scan documents with iPhone, iPad, and Android with a mobile scanner app

For the highest quality and most professional scan, we advise that you use a document scanner like the one integrated into the iLovePDF Mobile App. On top of a productive mobile tool suite with PDF and image solutions, iLovePDF Mobile acts as an Android and iPhone document scanner.

Here’s how to scan a document:

  1. Open or download the iLovePDF Mobile App.
  2. Tap on the Scanner with the camera icon on the home screen.
  3. Tap on the Scan icon in red.
  4. Take photos of each page you want to scan and tap Save. 

This method is a great way to scan documents on the move when you don’t have access to your computer. Need the file on your computer? Keep reading to learn how to scan directly to your computer with iLovePDF. 

Scan from your mobile directly to your computer 

Do you need your document scanned to PDF directly on your computer? With iLovePDF, you can use the iPhone scanner to send the scanned document directly to your laptop or desktop.

Go to the Scan PDF tool on the iLovePDF website, scan the QR code with your mobile and follow the instructions that appear on the screen. Once you have scanned and saved the pages, they are directly transferred to your computer.

Do you want to transfer a scan directly to the iLovePDF Desktop App? Download or open iLovePDF Desktop, follow the steps above, and your scanned images will appear as a PDF inside of the app. 

Scan multiple pages into a single document

Do you need to scan multiple pages of a document? With Scan PDF, there’s no need to scan documents a single page at a time. To scan multiple pages, simply make your first scan and continue to add pages until you have everything you need. 

Convert scanned files into PDF/A for long-term archiving 

Do you need to archive files for reference at a later date? The safe storage and retrieval of documents is a huge part of the admin process, and if you need to digitalize files for storage purposes, it’s advised that you convert them into PDF/A.

Why convert to PDF/A? This format is built specifically to future-proof your files for long-term storage. It works by optimizing the content of PDFs to ensure that the content is easily retrieved regardless of the device used to open them. 

Optimize and secure your scanned documents

What next? The helpful tools don’t stop there. Once your document is in the PDF format, iLovePDF offers over 25 tools that optimize and secure your files. 

Why not use Compress PDF to reduce file size for easier storage and sharing? A compressed file is a more manageable one. This tool is perfect for anyone who regularly needs to upload and send files as email attachments. 

Add a password to contracts and other sensitive files. When you’re working with confidential information, taking all of the security . Encrypting your documents with a password ensure that only the intended recipient has access to its content. 

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