Turn Your iPhone Notes App into a Document Scanner in Minutes

iPhone Notes App: A Simple Guide to Scanning Documents 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

We all know that iPhone's Notes app is a great tool for jotting down ideas and making to-do lists. But did you know that it can also be used as a document scanner? In just a few minutes, you can turn your iPhone into a powerful document scanner that can digitize physical documents, receipts, and business cards. In this article, we'll show you exactly how to do that in a few simple steps.

Getting Started with the Notes App

To begin with, make sure you have the latest version of the Notes app installed on your iPhone. If you haven't updated your iPhone in a while, go to the App Store and check for any updates available for the Notes app. Once you're up to date, you're ready to start scanning documents.

Step 1: Create a New Note

1. Open the Notes app on your iPhone.
   
   
   
2. Tap the New Note button (represented by a square with a pencil) located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
   
   
   
3. You'll now see a blank note. This is where you'll store your scanned documents.
   
   
   

Step 2: Access the Document Scanner

1. In the new note, tap the Camera icon located above the keyboard.
   
   
   
2. From the pop-up menu, select Scan Documents. This will open the document scanner within the Notes app.
   
   
   

Step 3: Scan Your Document

1. Place the document you want to scan on a flat surface with good lighting.
2. Hold your iPhone directly above the document, making sure that the entire document is visible within the camera viewfinder.
3. The Notes app will automatically detect the document's edges and highlight them in a blue rectangle. If it doesn't, you can manually adjust the edges by dragging the corners of the rectangle.
4. Once the document is properly framed, tap the Capture button (white circle) to take a snapshot of the document.
5. If you're satisfied with the result, tap Keep Scan. If not, tap Retake and try again.

Step 4: Scan Multiple Pages (Optional)

If you have a multi-page document, you can easily add more pages to your scan:

1. After scanning the first page, tap the Add Pages button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each additional page.

Step 5: Save Your Scanned Document

1. Once you've finished scanning, tap the Save button in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will add the scanned document to your note.
2. You can now add a title or additional text to the note if you wish.

Step 6: Share or Export Your Scanned Document

1. Tap the Share button (represented by a square with an upward-pointing arrow) in the top right corner of the note.
2. From the share sheet, you can choose to send your scanned document via email, text message, or save it to another app or cloud storage service.

Additional Tips for Scanning Documents

• Make sure your iPhone's camera lens is clean and free of smudges before scanning documents.
• For best results, scan documents in a well-lit area to ensure clear images and accurate color reproduction.
• If you're scanning a document with small text, consider using the Filters option in the scanner to improve readability.

Conclusion

With just a few taps, you can transform your iPhone's Notes app into a powerful document scanner. This convenient feature allows you to quickly digitize important documents and store them in a secure, organized manner. Whether you're capturing receipts for expense reports or saving business cards for future reference, the Notes app scanner is a valuable tool available at your disposal.

Recommended iPhone Accessories for Document Scanning

To further enhance your iPhone document scanning experience, consider investing in these top-rated accessories available on Amazon:

1. JETech Screen Protector: Protect your iPhone's screen from scratches and smudges with this highly-rated tempered glass screen protector. A clean screen ensures better document scanning results.
2. Aibocn Portable Charger: Keep your iPhone charged on the go with this slim and lightweight portable charger. You'll never have to worry about your battery running out during important document scanning sessions.
3. JOBY GripTight ONE GorillaPod Stand: For a steadier scanning experience, this flexible tripod will securely hold your iPhone in place. It's perfect for scanning multiple documents in a row or capturing high-quality images.
4. Fujitsu ScanSnap iX100 Mobile Scanner: If you find yourself scanning large volumes of documents regularly, this portable scanner can wirelessly connect to your iPhone and help you efficiently digitize documents with greater speed and accuracy.

By incorporating these accessories into your scanning routine, you'll be able to take full advantage of your iPhone's document scanning capabilities and optimize your workflow.