Here’s how to use the hidden document scanner on your iPhone, just in time for tax season

It’s very easy to sign important documents digitally these days from your computer or phone. But sometimes it’s delivered to you as physical paper, and it’s up to you to sign, scan, and email it. When you just have to put your signature on a real document, but don’t have a standalone scanner handy, the easiest way to do it is right in your pocket – with iPhone To convert images to PDF files.

Yes, your iPhone acts as a document scanner. It may not produce images as sharp as a dedicated scanner, but it does a respectable job, even when the phone is held at weird angles, trying to pick up text. iPhones have had this hidden feature ever since iOS 11 It was launched in 2017, but as the built-in cameras in Apple phones have improved, so has their ability to make good document scans and turn them into PDF files that you can email.

You won’t need to download additional software or pay for a third-party app — the Apple Notes app pre-installed on iPhones does the job. The good news is that it’s quick and easy to scan a document, save it, and send it anywhere you want to go. If you have upgraded your phone to the latest iOS 26, it is easy to use this feature. Keep in mind that the process will be different if you haven’t upgraded beyond iOS 17, but we’ll walk you through the process.

Here’s how to scan a document using your iPhone.

Scan a document using your iPhone or iPad

To scan a document using your iPhone or iPad, first place the document on a flat surface in a well-lit area.

Open the Notes app and open an existing note or start a new note by tapping a button New note The button in the lower right corner (pencil icon in a box). on iOS 17 Versions and older, tap camera The button at the bottom of the screen (or if you’re editing a note, it will do the same thing camera The icon will be at the top of the keyboard) and then click Scan documents. If you’re using iOS 26, instead of camera icon, you will click on Attachments button (paper clip icon) and press further Scan documents.

This will open a version of the Camera app that only searches for documents. Once you place your iPhone over the document that needs to be scanned and in view of the camera, a yellow rectangular layer will automatically appear over the document, roughly showing what will be captured. Hover over the document for a few seconds, your iPhone will automatically capture and scan the document, but you can also tap the shutter Button in the bottom middle. You can scan multiple documents at once if you wish, and when you are finished, click Yellow check mark The button in the upper right corner.

Sign, share or save the scanned document

Once you’ve captured a document, you can click on it, and on other documents you’ve captured in the same session, to edit them before saving them. You can also click Recapture in the upper right corner to start again.

When you edit your document, you can re-crop it from the original captured image (if you need to adjust its edges), or switch between color filters (color, black and white, grayscale or the original unedited image). Then you can save the scanned document.

Once you’ve saved it to a note, you can click Tags Button (pen icon circled) at the bottom for drawing or scribbling in different colors. If you click on He adds With the button at the bottom right (plus symbol), you can add text, your signature, shapes, or even stickers. Once you’ve added your signature, you can click on it to bring up the menu, then click on the diagonal line to adjust its thickness and color. You can tap and hold the signature to move it.

There are also AI tools for adding and retyping text, although they are not as useful for signing documents. To use it, click the button in the middle that looks like a diagonal pencil surrounded by a circle of rings.

To send the document or save it locally, click Share The button at the top (box and arrow icon) to send it via Messages or apps, copy it, save it locally in the Files app, print it via the linked printer, or other options.

How to export a scanned document as a PDF file

It is understandable that you may want to send the scanned document as a PDF file. Click on Share button at the top (square and arrow icon) and scroll down under Contacts and App Roulette to the list of additional options.

The easiest way to send the scanned document as a PDF file is a bit complicated: From the above list, click Printing press Then press the Share button at the top (square and arrow icon) again – this will share the converted document to PDF. Then choose the sharing method you prefer, most easily via email, although you can also upload it to cloud storage or send it via text message if you want.

You can also use a third-party application to convert your document to PDF if you choose. Scroll down next Printing press button to find the application of your choice. For example, if you download the Adobe Acrobat application to your device, you can select Convert to PDF in Acrobat To do this — though you’ll need to get past several screens to try and sell Adobe subscriptions first.

Why can’t I find the camera button to scan documents?

If you are using iOS 26,… camera The button has been replaced with Attachments Button (paperclip icon). It should work the same way: tap on it and choose Scan documents From the drop-down list

If you can’t see camera or Attachments button, check to see if you’ve opened the note in the iCloud section or the On My iPhone section — you’ll only be able to scan and save documents in either of these places. If you can’t find out, click folders in the upper-right corner of the Notes screen and select either iCloud or On My iPhone.

The document scanner is just one of many Unnoticeable features on the iPhone Which come pre-packaged in Apple phones, and are often nested in the apps that come with your phone. some iOS 26 hidden features Add more amazing capabilities already on your iPhone. But you can also find ways to do other tasks, e.g Create a GIF on your iPhoneUsing third party applications and through your browser.