Universal Scan it: My simple document scanner with features like OCR, PDF export and more

[nemecek_f]

Hello,


I would like to introduce my app, Scan it. I initially created it because the app I had been using previously was getting more and more complex with features I did not need and had quite an aggressive subscription.

At its core Scan it is just a list of your recent scans. Each scan is automatically uploaded to iCloud Drive to ensure important stuff is backed up. You can also quickly scan multiple pages during a single scanning session and export these scans as a single PDF.

The app also has text recognition available in all iOS versions, and starting with iOS 16 also supports the Live Text technology. Recently I have added Lock Screen widget, which can be a quick shortcut to start scanning immediately.

Scan it is free, with a limit of 5 scans each month. This should be enough for most users. There is a single unlock to remove the limit that costs 5$ or equivalent.

Here is the App Store link.

 

[chabig]

This looks nice Filip. But can you tell me what this does that iOS doesn't already do?

 

[nemecek_f]

This looks nice Filip. But can you tell me what this does that iOS doesn't already do?

Thanks. You mean compared to taking photos with the camera and then using Live Text or compared to scanning into Notes?

For example it uses the document camera viewfiender, which (as far as I know) is available only via Notes in iOS. This can automatically detect documents in the frame and correctly crop them.

You also get all the scans combined into single PDF which I guess you'd have to otherwise use Shortcuts to accomplish.

But I guess you are right, with the current versions of iOS that have Live Text it is definitely not a "must have" app. TBH for me the main reason to use it is that I have all my scans in one place and not mixed with my notes or photos.

 

[chabig]

No. I was referring to the scanning feature in Notes that automatically crops and combines pages into PDF. So it seems like your app is more focused on use as sort of pdf database organizer. I don't code, but it looks like you did nice work, and I appreciate that you're using what appears to be native APIs.

It still kind of surprised me that Apple doesn't bring their scanning functions out of Notes. Many people don't know it exists there.

 

[nemecek_f]

No. I was referring to the scanning feature in Notes that automatically crops and combines pages into PDF.

I had no idea that Notes can do all this, perhaps it is iOS 15/16 feature? Anyway, seems like like a good impulse to add new stuff to my app

 

[laptech]

iScanner has always been my scanner go to app. I have used it for many years. Is a bit pricey now for what it does but I bought it when it was at $9 many many years ago. If i didn't have iScanner I would have given your app a go.

The major feature I liked with iScanner is that is allows you to send the completed pdf to your assigned email. Scan it, create the pdf and of it goes to my assigned email. I've never like dealing with google drive or icloud thus the email feature is important to me. Does your app do the same?

 

[nemecek_f]

The major feature I liked with iScanner is that is allows you to send the completed pdf to your assigned email. Scan it, create the pdf and of it goes to my assigned email. I've never like dealing with google drive or icloud thus the email feature is important to me. Does your app do the same?

Thanks for the details. Do I understand it correctly that this is 100% automated workflow? That you just scan the document and iScanner does the rest?

My app has multiple quickly accessible "Share" buttons but not yet any automated workflow.

 

[laptech]

Thanks for the details. Do I understand it correctly that this is 100% automated workflow? That you just scan the document and iScanner does the rest?

My app has multiple quickly accessible "Share" buttons but not yet any automated workflow.

Not totatly 100% automated. I scan the documents, the app auto aligns everything, it creates the PDF and then it asks where do I want to save it, on the iphone, on icloud or via email.

 

[nemecek_f]

Hello!

Scan it is part of the Indie App Santa and the Pro unlock is FREE December 5-6 🎉

 

[nemecek_f]

Hello,

version 3.1.0 is now available.

Since some users didn't like the automatic iCloud Drive export - I have added toggle to Settings to disable it

Also new is the option to import from Photos (long press on the "New scan" button) along with crash fixes.

 

[nemecek_f]

Hello,

smaller update this time. With version 3.1.1 I think I finally managed to have reliable PDF sharing. Previously some apps (looking at you Gmail) wouldn't recognize PDF as PDF and instead send it as a unknown file.