iOS 15.4 Adds New 'Scan Text' Shortcut in Notes App

iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 were released to the public last week, and one new change is the addition of a "Scan Text" shortcut for quickly scanning printed or handwritten text into the Notes app on the iPhone and iPad.

scan text notes ios 15 4 feature
Apple recently shared a video with step-by-step instructions on how to use the Scan Text feature. On a device running iOS 15.4 or iPadOS 15.4, simply open the Notes app, tap the camera icon, tap "Scan Text," and tap the insert button once the text has been added to the note. The "Scan Text" shortcut has also been added to the Reminders app.


On earlier versions of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, scanning text into the Notes app required tapping on a note's text field and tapping the Live Text icon.

iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 introduced several other features, including the ability to unlock an iPhone 12 or newer with Face ID while wearing a mask, Universal Control on compatible iPad models, dozens of new emoji, a new Siri voice option, the ability to initiate SharePlay sessions directly from supported apps, and more.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Top Rated Comments

yellow8 Avatar
16 months ago
Useful trick!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
The Fork Avatar
16 months ago


Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
16 months ago
This is a very rich and handful feature for college students.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
16 months ago
This will be very useful!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jason2000 Avatar
16 months ago

Just reminds me of my days with the Newton, which I used successfully for many years.
Cool story.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
16 months ago

Yeah, also so you wouldn’t get suckered into getting a subscription for those pesky document adds that scan documents for like 99 bucks a year. For those who didn’t know the Notes app does this! Hehe

I had to find this out the hard way by myself… it was a learning experience to say the least
You can also scan documents directly into the Files app just like a regular scanner. The quality is not as good as a flatbed scanner so not good for photos but to scan and send documents it’s perfect
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)