Need Help Scanning Documents with iPhone Camera

I’m struggling to figure out how to scan documents using my iPhone camera. I’ve heard it’s possible but I’m not sure what steps to follow. Could someone explain the process or point me to a guide? Thanks!

Open the Notes app on your iPhone. Create a new note or open an existing one. Tap the camera icon above the keyboard and select ‘Scan Documents.’ Position your iPhone camera over the document you want to scan. Your iPhone will automatically detect and capture the document, or you can press the shutter button to take a manual scan. Adjust the corners if needed, then tap ‘Keep Scan.’ Repeat this for multiple pages. When done, tap ‘Save’ to store your scans in the note. This functionality is particularly useful for quickly digitizing paperwork without needing a separate app or scanner.

You don’t really need additional apps for scanning documents, but if you want more features, try apps like Adobe Scan or Microsoft Lens. These apps offer advanced functionalities like OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for converting text into editable formats. They also include options for better image correction and organizing scans into folders or cloud storage, which can be a huge lifesaver.

A quick tip: Since the Notes app doesn’t come with robust sorting and filtering options, using a specialized scanning app can help keep things more organized. You get better document management, annotation options, and easier sharing in different formats like PDF or Word. Those apps usually integrate nicely with cloud services too, so you can access your scanned documents from any device.

Now, if you’re into automating tasks, there’s another cool feature you can leverage using the Shortcuts app. You can create a custom shortcut to trigger document scanning directly from your home screen, ensuring a quicker route to capture those important papers. Just open the Shortcuts app, create a new shortcut, and add the ‘Scan Document’ action. Place this shortcut on your home screen for one-tap access.

Also, remember to scan documents in good lighting conditions to avoid shadows and glare which can compromise the quality. If the lighting isn’t ideal, you might need to manually adjust the clarity and contrast post-scan using image editing features in these apps.

One more thing, if you scan sensitive documents, check out apps that offer encryption and password protection to keep your data secure. While the Notes app is great for everyday use, these extra layers of security can be paramount for business or personal sensitive information.

In summary, while the Notes app is a fantastic built-in tool, exploring advanced scanning apps can provide added features and better organization, especially for power users.