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Comment by nesk_ | Hacker News Reader

Not sure how this compares to the scanner in the native Files app? https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/scan-documents-ios-files-ap...

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I think the fact this made it to the front page shows how many were unaware of the scanner in the files app. I have multiple times looked into ways to scan on iPhone and have only found the Notes app, which is kinda klunky, and Microsoft Lens.

I agree, but what’s the solution then? Creating a new app doing the same job? Or writing a tutorial to explain how to use the native scanner?

Move it out of the Files app. Nobody uses Files, Apple seemingly doesn't want you to use Files. Clearly not a priority though.

Pressing and holding the Files icon on the iOS home screen allows you to directly access the scanning feature.

Pretty handy! I didn’t know this feature existed, and the scanner app I had been using stopped working a couple months ago and I haven’t been able to find a replacement that I was happy with.

> Nobody uses Files

What else would you use? I use it quite often.

Same, but to answer your question: Notes app also has scanning.

On the latest iOS update, searching for the Files app also returns a shortcut to the scanner. Weirdly, searching for "scan" or similar doesn't return it... The icon is similar in design to the control centre so you'd think it could be added there, but again, it's unavailable...

You need to type "scan d" for it to work. It's funny how both Windows and iOS manage to struggle with pretty basic search functionality.

TIL it’s in the files app. I always use the notes app for this. You can either long-press on notes and tap scan document or go into a random note, scan a document, and export it as pdf from there

I did not check the source code but scanning UI and outcome is exactly the same as native iOS scanner.

In case anybody was wondering, you can also do this in Android via the Google Drive app. Click "New" and then "Scan".

There is a shortcut for the native scan within Files. I usually add to the Home Screen.

I had no clue there was a scanner in the files app.

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