I frequently rely on my iPhone to digitize various physical documents, ranging from medical records and identity cards to bank-related forms. Since around 2015, I consistently utilized an app called Scanner Pro to handle these tasks. While it functions adequately, the most advanced features are gated behind a subscription, and the performance is no longer as snappy as I would prefer. I have been aware of the scanner integrated into Apple's Notes app for a long time, but it never felt as convenient as my go-to app, so I refrained from switching. That situation shifted recently when I discovered a hidden document scanner within the Preview app. This tool is remarkably fast, completely free, and features seamless integration with the Files app, which provides a significant advantage. Here is why you should consider utilizing it.
Your iPhone's Preview app has a hidden document scanner
Your iPhone includes an app named Preview, which was introduced alongside the release of iOS 26 in 2025. Currently, when you open a document within the Files app, your iPhone will automatically transition to Preview and load it. However, if you open the Preview app manually, you will notice a Scan Documents button prominently displayed in the center. I have been using iOS 26 since the developer betas were initially launched, yet I only took note of this feature following the release of the recent iOS 27 betas.
Upon tapping Scan Documents in Preview, your iPhone activates the viewfinder, allowing you to point your device at the documents you intend to scan. Much like Scanner Pro, the Preview app scanner automatically detects the document borders, captures an image, and immediately refreshes the viewfinder so you can reposition the camera for the subsequent page; the process remains consistently fast. You may continue this workflow until you have finished scanning, after which you simply hit the checkmark button located in the top-right corner. The resulting PDF is automatically saved to your iCloud Drive folder, eliminating the need for manual exporting. I found this workflow to be exceptionally fast and intuitive enough that I would recommend it to my family members, who typically resist technology that demands new app installations or complex multi-step interactions.
While the scanner interface is active, you will see four controls near the bottom of the screen. The large shutter button permits manual capture of scan images, while the other three allow you to toggle the flash, adjust color filters, and activate the auto-shutter feature. The auto-shutter is perhaps the most useful function of the app, as it triggers a scan the instant it detects document borders, though it is not flawless. If you prefer finer control over your scans, you can deactivate it to manage the shutter manually.
Why Preview's scanner is much better than the one in Apple Notes
I find managing PDFs within Apple Notes to be a cumbersome experience, which serves as the primary argument for utilizing the scanner in Preview, as it immediately saves those files directly into the Files app. Initially, Notes makes accessing the scanner more tedious: you must open a note, tap the paperclip icon, and then select the document scanner from the provided menu. The output remains contained within the note, and I find handling PDFs from within the Notes app—which is better optimized for text-based entries—to be unwieldy. I now limit my usage of the Notes scanner exclusively to instances where I specifically intend to store the file within the Notes app itself. Other than the occasional recipe I might keep there, I do not anticipate using the Notes scanner again. In almost every scenario, the Preview scanner performs far more efficiently.
Another third-party scanning app to consider
If your requirements exceed the capabilities of Apple's built-in document scanner, there are third-party alternatives that might better suit your needs. Beyond Scanner Pro, which I referenced earlier, Adobe Scan delivers excellent performance regarding scanning and OCR (optical character recognition) and offers a generous free tier. In the free tier, Adobe Scan permits unlimited captures, provides 2GB of space within the Adobe Document Cloud, and includes OCR for documents up to 25 pages in length.
The premium tier is priced at $10/month and incorporates various PDF editing tools, such as the ability to merge PDFs, extract specific pages from a scan, and edit text within the PDF files. You also gain the ability to utilize OCR on documents up to 100 pages each, receive up to 20 GB of cloud storage, and access a feature called Magic Eraser, which can automatically remove your fingers or thumb from scanned images. I believe the free tier is sufficient for the majority of users, but the most frustrating aspect of Adobe Scan is that even the free tier necessitates signing up for an account. You can utilize your Apple, Google, or Facebook accounts for a faster login, but it remains an unnecessary barrier for those seeking an app that simply allows them to start scanning the moment it is installed.
