PDFeeGet the app

How to Scan and Save Receipts as PDF on iPhone

Receipts are small, long, curled and often faded, which makes them harder to scan than a letter. Here’s how to get a readable PDF of them on iPhone, and keep them together.

PDFee teamUpdated September 27, 2026 · 4 min readTestediPhone 14 Pro · iOS 26.6.2 · PDFee 1.6
On this page
  1. Quick answer
  2. Method 1 · Built in
  3. Method 2 · PDFee
  4. Long, curled or faded
  5. Name and find it
  6. Combine or reduce
  7. Questions

Quick answer

Lay the receipt flat on a dark surface. In Files, open a folder, tap ••• › Scan Documents and hold the iPhone over it until it captures. Tap the checkmark: the receipt is saved in that folder as a PDF.

Several receipts in one PDF, or four on a page? In PDFee:
  1. 1Tap Scan
  2. 2Capture each receipt
  3. 3Create PDF
Method 1 · Built in

Capture a readable receipt with built-in tools

  1. Receipt on dark table
    Step 1Put the receipt on a dark, flat surface in good light.
  2. Files › Scan Documents
    Step 2In Files, open a folder and tap ••• › Scan Documents. Or use Notes.
  3. Filter options
    Step 3Tap Filters and pick Black & White if the print is faint.
  4. Name the scan
    Step 4Capture every receipt, then tap the checkmark. They’re saved together as one PDF in that folder, named Scanned Document. Type a new name right away.
Method 2 · App

Scan a receipt to PDF with PDFee

PDFee uses Apple’s scanner too. It helps when you want receipts in a set order, on Letter or A4 pages, or several on one sheet. Everything stays on your iPhone.

  1. Tap Scan

    The Scan tile is under the Photos → PDF card on the home screen.

    Step 1: Tap Scan

  2. Capture each receipt

    One receipt per capture, with the whole receipt in view.

    Step 2: Capture each receipt

  3. Order them and pick a layout

    Drag receipts into order. With Pro, put 4 or 9 on one page to save paper.

    Step 3: Order them and pick a layout

  4. Create PDF and save it

    Pick a file size, tap Create PDF, then Save to Files.

    Step 4: Create PDF and save it
Free and Pro for this taskChecked in PDFee 1.6
FreeUp to 10 receipts (pages) per PDF, no watermark.
ProNo page limit, and 2, 4 or 9 receipts on one page.
Try PDFee on your iPhone

Check long, curled or faded receipts

Long receiptsScan them in two parts, top and bottom, as two pages. Overlap a line so nothing is missed.
Curled receiptsFlatten under a book for a minute, or hold the ends down outside the frame.
Faded printTry the Black & White or Grayscale filter, and scan in bright, even light.
Check the numbersZoom in on the date, the total and the store name before you throw the paper away.

Name, save and find the PDF

Combine or reduce receipt PDFs when needed

Receipts scaled to fit their slot, never cropped.

Questions

What is the easiest way to scan receipts?

Use the scanner built into Notes or Files: it finds the edges and straightens the receipt. Scan a month’s receipts in one session to get them in one PDF.

How do I scan a receipt on my phone?

Put the receipt on a dark surface, open a scanner (Notes, Files or PDFee), hold the iPhone over it until it captures, then save it as a PDF.

Does PDFee read the amounts on my receipts?

No. PDFee saves receipts as PDF pages. It doesn’t extract totals, sort expenses or send anything to accounting software.

Written and tested by the PDFee teamTested on iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 26.6.2, PDFee 1.6, September 26, 2026. Screenshots come from that test and from Apple’s iOS Simulator, with test files in place of personal ones. We update this guide when iOS or the app changes.