How to scan documents with your iPad

This article explains how to scan documents using the Notes app on an iPad running iOS 11 or later, and what to do after scanning.

How to scan documents with Notes app

Starting with iOS 11, Apple added scanning capability to the Notes app. With it, you can capture a document and save it to your iPad as a PDF. Here’s how:

1. Place the document on a well-lit flat surface and preferably against a contrasting background.

2. Open the app Ratings.

3. Press thepen and paper icon to create a new note (or select an existing note).

4. Press theicon of the camera at the top of the screen and select Scan documents to open the Camera app in automatic mode in the Notes app.

In iOS 11 and iOS 12, press the sign more ( + ) to launch the camera for scanning.

5. Position the iPad over the document in the camera viewer. The iPad detects the document (indicated by a yellow box) and automatically scans it in this mode.

6. Press To register to add the scan to the note or press the thumbnail at the bottom of the screen to review the scan.

7. If you open the thumbnail, select To resume if you don’t like what you see and want to try again or Ended to add the scan to the note.

Note : In automatic mode, the iPad continues to take photos while you hold it over a document with only a slight pause. Move the iPad view out of the picture to stop it.

8. If you prefer more control than the automatic option gives you, press Manual to switch to Manual mode before framing the document with the camera.

9. Tap the iconshutter or one of the icons of volume to manually scan the document.

10. As for the automatic mode, choose To register or press thethumbnail image to preview it. From the thumbnail, tap To resume Where Ended.

11. Access the Notes application to view the scanned document in the note you designated.

After scanning

After saving the document as a PDF, you can do anything with it that you can do with a note or a regular PDF. Tap the scan to open it and use the tools in the upper right corner to crop, rotate, use annotations, print or share the document.

Scan apps for older iPads

If your iPad is running on iOS 10 or earlier, the Notes app does not include scanning functionality, but you can download one of the many scanning apps available for this purpose. They understand:

• Scanner Pro offers a good combination of affordability and reliability for iOS users.
• SwiftScan is a great choice for those who want a free basic scanner.
• DocScan has a user-friendly interface that is easy to pick up and use.
• Genius Scan specializes in creating multi-page PDF files from the documents you scan.

If you have any questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments. Also check out this guide if you want to learn how to edit a PDF on your iPad.