How to Scan Multiple Photos or Documents on an iPhone

TL;DR

• For documents, use the Notes app (Camera → Scan Documents) for fast, multi-page PDF creation.
• For high-quality photo scanning, use the main Camera app and follow our dedicated photo scanning guide.
• The Notes app is great for quickly capturing the back of photos, letters, or certificates that accompany your prints.

Your iPhone is a versatile scanner, but the best method depends on what you're scanning. If you need to quickly combine multiple pages into a single PDF—like a contract, a stack of receipts, or a child's school project—the built-in Notes app is your best friend. It's fast, efficient, and automatically handles cropping and perspective correction. However, if your goal is to digitize precious family photos with the highest possible quality, you'll get better results using a different approach. This guide will show you how to master the Notes app for all your document-scanning needs and explain when to switch to a more photo-centric method to ensure your memories are preserved perfectly.

Related: For photo albums and prints where quality matters most, see Photomyne vs PhotoScanRestore or our Photomyne alternative.

When to Use the Notes App for Photo Projects

While the main Camera app is best for capturing the front of a photo, the Notes app is perfect for:

• Scanning the Back of Photos: Quickly capture any handwritten notes, dates, or names on the back and save them as a PDF.
• Digitizing Accompanying Documents: Scan letters, certificates, or newspaper clippings related to your photos.
• Creating Contact Sheets: Quickly scan a dozen photos into a single PDF to create a shareable overview of a collection.

1) Open Notes and Start a Scan

Open the Notes app, create a new note, tap the Camera icon, and select "Scan Documents." This mode is specifically designed for capturing pages.

2) Capture Your Pages in Auto-Mode

By default, the scanner is in "Auto" mode. Simply hold your iPhone steady and parallel over the document. The app will automatically detect the edges of the page, highlight them in yellow, and capture the scan for you. Keep feeding it pages until you're done.

Pro Tip: If you're scanning glossy pages (like a magazine) and the auto-capture is struggling, toggle to "Manual" mode at the top of the screen and use the regular shutter button.

3) Save, Reorder, and Share as a PDF

Once you've captured all your pages, tap "Save." You'll see a gallery of your scans inside the note. You can tap on it to:

• Reorder Pages: Tap and hold a page to drag it into a new position.
• Crop or Rotate: Use the tools at the bottom to make adjustments.
• Share as PDF: Tap the Share icon (the box with an arrow) to send, print, or "Save to Files" as a clean, searchable PDF.

For High-Quality Photo Scanning, Use the Camera App

The Notes scanner prioritizes speed and convenience, which is great for documents but not ideal for photos. It applies aggressive compression and processing that can reduce image quality.

For the best results when digitizing your actual photographs, you should:

1. Follow our dedicated guide on how to scan photos on an iPhone.
2. Use the main Camera app to capture a high-resolution image.
3. Edit the photo to crop, straighten, and restore its colors.

This method gives you maximum detail and the best starting point for creating a beautiful digital archive.

FAQs

Can I add more pages to a scan later? Yes. Open the note containing your scan, tap the scanned document gallery, and the camera view will reappear at the end of your pages, ready to add more.

How can I make the PDF file size smaller? After scanning, tap the filter icon (three circles) and choose "Black & White." This mode creates the smallest and often clearest file for text-based documents.

Is the Notes scanner secure for sensitive documents? Yes. The scan stays on your device within the Notes app unless you choose to share it. You can also lock specific notes with a password for extra security.