Can I scan documents to PDF on iPhone for free without downloading an app?

Yes. Every iPhone running iOS 11 or later has a built-in document scanner in both the Notes app and the Files app — free, no watermarks, no subscription. Open Notes, tap the paperclip icon (iOS 18) or camera icon (iOS 17 and earlier), and select "Scan Documents."

How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF on iPhone?

Never tap Save between pages. Scan all pages in one session — each page's thumbnail appears in a strip at the bottom — then tap Save once at the end. All pages merge into a single multi-page PDF automatically. See our full [guide to scanning multiple pages into one PDF](/blog/scan-multiple-pages-into-one-pdf/) for step-by-step details on every device.

Where do scanned PDFs go on iPhone?

It depends on the method. Notes saves the scan as an embedded PDF inside the note itself — tap the thumbnail, then the Share icon to export or save to Files. The Files app saves the PDF directly to whichever folder you opened before starting the scan. Scanjet saves to your in-app library and lets you export to any cloud service.

How do I make a scanned PDF searchable on iPhone?

The built-in Notes and Files scanners create image-based PDFs — the text is not searchable or selectable in the PDF file. iOS Live Text lets you copy text from images on screen, but it does not embed a text layer in the PDF itself. For a truly searchable PDF, use [Scanjet](https://scanjet.app), which runs OCR in 23 languages and embeds a full text layer automatically.

What is the best scanner app for iPhone?

For quick, occasional scans, the built-in Notes or Files app is fast and free. For professional results — OCR in 23 languages, auto edge detection, perspective correction, shadow removal, and HIPAA-ready encryption — [Scanjet](https://scanjet.app) is the top choice, used by 125 million people in 158 countries.

Scan to PDF on iPhone: Complete How-To Guide (iOS 17 & 18)

Every iPhone running iOS 11 or later can scan documents to PDF in seconds — no extra app required. This guide covers every built-in method, the iOS 18 icon change that trips people up, color mode settings for different document types, and how to get searchable PDFs when the built-in scanner falls short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I scan documents to PDF on iPhone for free without downloading an app?: Yes. Every iPhone running iOS 11 or later has a built-in document scanner in both the Notes app and the Files app — free, no watermarks, no subscription. Open Notes, tap the paperclip icon (iOS 18) or camera icon (iOS 17 and earlier), and select "Scan Documents."
How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF on iPhone?: Never tap Save between pages. Scan all pages in one session — each page's thumbnail appears in a strip at the bottom — then tap Save once at the end. All pages merge into a single multi-page PDF automatically. See our full [guide to scanning multiple pages into one PDF](/blog/scan-multiple-pages-into-one-pdf/) for step-by-step details on every device.
Where do scanned PDFs go on iPhone?: It depends on the method. Notes saves the scan as an embedded PDF inside the note itself — tap the thumbnail, then the Share icon to export or save to Files. The Files app saves the PDF directly to whichever folder you opened before starting the scan. Scanjet saves to your in-app library and lets you export to any cloud service.
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable on iPhone?: The built-in Notes and Files scanners create image-based PDFs — the text is not searchable or selectable in the PDF file. iOS Live Text lets you copy text from images on screen, but it does not embed a text layer in the PDF itself. For a truly searchable PDF, use [Scanjet](https://scanjet.app), which runs OCR in 23 languages and embeds a full text layer automatically.
What is the best scanner app for iPhone?: For quick, occasional scans, the built-in Notes or Files app is fast and free. For professional results — OCR in 23 languages, auto edge detection, perspective correction, shadow removal, and HIPAA-ready encryption — [Scanjet](https://scanjet.app) is the top choice, used by 125 million people in 158 countries.