The built-in scanner you’re overlooking

 

Aug 18 2025 | Issue 57 | Link to this issue | Subscribe

Hi Reader –

"Should I use Scannable or just scan with the Evernote app?"

I sometimes get this question from iPhone users who've discovered Scannable — a separate iOS only scanner app owned by Bending Spoons, Evernote’s parent company.

My answer to this question might surprise you…

Use Evernote's built-in camera, not Scannable.

Here's why the native scanning features make a separate app unnecessary.

The Evolution of Mobile Scanning

Scannable was a pioneer when it launched in 2014, setting the standard for mobile document scanning. It was revolutionary for its time.

But mobile scanning has evolved significantly since then. Evernote's native camera is incredibly powerful, incorporating most of the features that once made a standalone scanner app essential.

And, Bending Spoons, Evernote’s owners since 2023, have changed the business and pricing model of Scannable. Although some features are still free for paying Evernote subscribers, it no longer makes sense for Evernote users to use it 99% of the time compared to what’s offered natively inside of Evernote.

Note: There is one feature in Scannable that Evernote subscribers have access to that the Evernote native camera does not. Scannable users can choose to save multi-page scans as a single PDF.

Today, for most users, Evernote’s built-in scanning capabilities provide everything you need without the complexity (and cost) of managing multiple apps.

🧠 Academy Members: Learn everything about the difference between Scannable and the built-in camera and scanning features in the lesson ​Should you use Scannable?​

How to Use Evernote's Built-In Scanner

When you tap "Camera" or "Scan" from Evernote's create screen, you get two scanning modes:

  • Photo Mode: Normal camera for high-quality photos. It works just like the camera on your phone.

  • Auto Mode: Document scanner with auto-cropping, edge detection, and contrast optimization — perfect for digitization of receipts, handwritten notes, documents, business cards, and more.

 
 

Not seeing the Camera and Scan options on your create screen? Swipe left on the grey buttons to expose them.

The results are excellent, and everything you scan in both modes automatically becomes searchable in Evernote thanks to OCR.

For even quicker access, add the Evernote camera as a lock screen widget, which allows you to launch the camera right from your lock screen or mobile home screen.

🧠 Academy Members: To learn more about ways to capture information to Evernote on mobile, check out the ​Evernote Mobile: The Create Screen training​.

Why Choose the Built-In Scanner

Here’s why I love this built-in scanner:

  • Seamless workflow: No app-switching or syncing delays.

  • Integrated experience: Everything stays within your Evernote ecosystem.

  • Quick access: Add the Evernote camera widget to your lock screen as a shortcut for easy access.

  • Automatic OCR: All scans become instantly searchable.

  • Regular updates: Continuous improvements with each Evernote release.

  • One less app: Simplify your phone with fewer apps to manage.

Many Evernote users (myself included) don’t even use a desktop scanner or separate mobile scanning app anymore. For everyday documents, receipts, and handwritten notes, Evernote's mobile camera handles it all.

Simplify Your Setup

For most users, Evernote's built-in camera is more than enough for daily scanning tasks. And if you find yourself scanning a lot of documents, set up the camera widget on your home screen for one-tap access.

You might find that one less app makes your workflow simpler and more efficient.

Cheers to your productivity —

Stacey

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Stacey Harmon