How to Scan on Your Mac Using the Preview App, Image Capture, & More

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Use built-in software on your Mac to scan photos and documents in seconds
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Want to scan a document or image on your Mac? It’s easy to do so with apps like Preview and Image Capture, which are built into macOS. Once you get your scanner set up and connected to your Mac, you can start scanning right away. If you don’t have a scanner, you can use your Mac’s Continuity Camera feature to scan documents with an iPhone or iPad. In this article, we’ll explain the easiest scanning methods and common troubleshooting steps.

Quick Steps

  1. Connect the scanner to your Mac with a cable or Wi-Fi.
  2. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners and select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax .
  3. Select your scanner and click Add .
  4. Place a document in the scanner and open the Preview app.
  5. Go to File > Import from Scanner and select your scanner.
  6. Set your scanning options, then click Scan .
Section 1 of 6:

Connecting and Setting Up Your Scanner

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  1. If your scanner requires special software, check that you have it installed and up to date. You may need to visit the scanner manufacturer’s website to download the most recent updates. [1]
    • Most modern scanners and printer/scanner combos are compatible with macOS and will connect automatically with Mac’s built-in AirPrint software. [2] However, if you’re not sure, check the documentation that came with your scanner or visit the manufacturer’s website for more information.
  2. In most cases, you'll connect it to your Mac with a USB cable that attaches from the scanner's (or printer's) port to the back or side of your Mac. If the scanner doesn’t have a USB-C connector, you’ll need to use an adapter for newer Macs.
    • Alternatively, you can use a wireless-enabled printer or scanner through your local Wi-Fi connection.
    • If you prefer to communicate with the scanner wirelessly, go through the setup procedure on your scanner. Make sure it is connected to the same strong wireless network as your Mac.
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  3. If you’re using an older version of macOS, this will be called System Preferences instead.
  4. This option will appear in the menu pane on the left side of the System Settings window. You might have to scroll down to find it.
    • In older macOS versions, it will be in the main System Preferences window.
  5. If you already see your scanner in the list, you can skip this step. If not, click the button at the bottom of the main Printers & Scanners window to add your scanner.
  6. You should see a list of available scanners. Find yours and click it, then click the Add button at the bottom of the popup window.
    • If you don’t see your scanner, make sure it’s connected to your computer correctly. If it’s connected wirelessly, double-check that the scanner and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
      • The user manual that came with your scanner might have helpful information if you still aren’t able to find your scanner on the list.
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Section 2 of 6:

Scanning a Document in Preview

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  1. The right way to do this depends on the type of scanner. For a flatbed scanner, the paper should go face-down in the scanner's tray. If you have a document-feeding scanner, put the pages you want to scan in the document feeder. [3]
    • Different scanners might require you to feed the pages in either face-up or face-down.
  2. If this app isn’t already in the Dock, you can find it by searching with
    Mac Spotlight
    Spotlight or checking in your Launchpad.
  3. Click File in the menu bar at the top of the screen, then click or hover over Import from Scanner… . A pop-out menu will appear.
    • If this option is greyed out in the menu, make sure your scanner is connected and set up correctly. If it’s connected wirelessly, make sure your Mac and scanner are both on the same network.
    • You might also see Import from [your scanner’s name] in the main File menu.
  4. You should see your scanner in the list of options that appear in the pop-out menu. Click on it to select it.
  5. Next, a window will pop up where you can choose some settings for your scanning job. Depending on your scanner, you might also be able to see a preview of your document in this window. You can see additional options by clicking Show Details at the bottom of the window. For example, from this menu you can:
    • Choose your document type under Kind . For instance, here is where you’d select from Text (if you’re scanning text or a high-contrast black and white image), Black & White (for scanning greyscale images), or Color (for color images).
    • Use the Format menu to choose what type of file your scanned documents save as (e.g., JPEG, PDF, or PNG).
    • Pick the correct size for your document under Size , or adjust the image quality with the Resolution settings.
    • Use the Image Correction controls to adjust the color or exposure of the scanned document.
    • Under Scan To , select a destination for your scanned documents. You can also do this after you’ve already completed the scan.
  6. Once your scanner is finished, the scanned page(s) will appear in the main Preview window, where you can edit, rename, or save your scan.
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Section 3 of 6:

Scanning with Image Capture

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  1. This is a built-in app that comes with macOS. Look for it in your Launchpad or find it with
    Mac Spotlight
    Spotlight Search . Click on the magnifying glass icon in the right side of the menu bar at the top of your screen to search for it. [4]
    • The Image Capture icon looks like a camera over a grid of pictures.
  2. In the left menu bar of the Image Capture window, you should see a list of scanners and other devices that are linked to your Mac. Click on your scanner.
    • If you don’t see your scanner in the list, make sure it’s turned on, set up properly, and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac (if it’s connected wirelessly).
    • Your scanner might also appear under the Shared header in the left sidebar menu.
  3. Once you’ve loaded a document into the scanner, check the settings in the Image Capture app to make sure they’re correct. For instance, use the dropdown menus under the scanner window to choose a destination for your scan and select the size of your document.
    • For more advanced settings, click Show Details . Use the settings in the menu at right to adjust things like the type of document you’re scanning (color photo vs. grayscale or text only), the resolution of the scan, and the file type of the scanned image.
  4. When you’re ready, click the Scan button in the lower right corner of the window. The scanned image will appear in the destination you selected on your Mac (e.g., your Pictures folder).
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Section 4 of 6:

Scanning from System Settings

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  1. If you like, you can open your scanner directly from System Settings to make a scan. To do so, navigate to the
    Mac Apple
    Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, then select System Settings > Printers & Scanners . [5]
    • You may need to scroll down in the sidebar on the left to find the Printers & Scanners option.
  2. Your scanner or printer/scanner combo should appear in the main Printers & Scanners window. Click on it to open a new window.
    • If you don’t see your scanner, make sure it’s turned on and connected properly. If it’s wireless, make sure it’s on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
  3. You’ll see this button near the top of the window. Clicking it will launch a scanner window in the Image Capture app.
  4. If you haven’t already loaded your document into the scanner, do so now. Check the scanner settings, then click Scan in the bottom-right corner of the Image Capture window.
    • You can select the destination for your scanned image and the size of the document using the drop-down menus on the bottom of the Image Capture window. For more settings, click the Show Details button.
    • The scanned image will appear in the destination folder you selected on your Mac.
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Section 5 of 6:

Scanning with Continuity Camera

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  1. The Continuity Camera app allows you to take a photo or scan a document with your iPhone or iPad and insert it directly into a document on your Mac. [6]
    • For this feature to work, you’ll need to have Bluetooth enabled on your Mac and iPhone or iPad.
    • You’ll also need to be connected to Wi-Fi on both devices.
    • This is a great option if you don’t have a scanner.
  2. Open a document on your computer and place your cursor where you want the scanned image to appear.
    • Not all apps support Continuity Camera, but many native apps on Mac, like Pages, Notes, and Safari, will allow you to use this feature.
  3. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and hold it with the camera facing the document you want to scan. Make sure you’re on the Home Screen with all apps minimized or closed.
  4. Depending on the app you’re using, you might find this option in the File , Edit , or Insert menu. If you can’t find it anywhere, it’s possible that the app you’re using doesn’t support Continuity Camera.
    • You can also Ctrl-click the desktop or a Finder window and select Insert from iPhone or iPad from the context menu that pops up. The scan will be saved as a PDF to your desktop or the folder you selected.
  5. When you move your cursor over the Insert from iPhone or iPad option, a submenu will pop up with several options. Select Scan Documents .
    • At this point, the Camera app should open on your iPhone or iPad and automatically scan the document. [7]
    • If your phone doesn’t automatically detect the edges of the document, you can manually capture the scan by tapping the Shutter button (it looks like a white circle at the bottom of the screen) or one of the Volume buttons .
    • You can capture several scans if you want to. Tap Save when you’re done, and the scan should appear in the selected location on your Mac.
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Section 6 of 6:

Troubleshooting

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  1. If you can’t see your scanner in your scanning app’s menu or system settings, check that your scanner is plugged in and turned on. Make sure all the cables are securely connected.
    • If your scanner is wireless, ensure that it’s on the same network as your computer. [8]
  2. If the scanner was visible in your scanning app at some point but now you can’t access it, go back into Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners . If you see the scanner there, select it and click Remove Scanner (or Remove Printer ). When you’re done, add it again using the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button.
  3. While many scanners let you scan by pressing a button on the scanner itself, this option doesn’t always work very well. Instead, try scanning with an app like Preview, Image Capture, or a third-party option that’s compatible with your scanner.
  4. If you have an AirPort base station to manage your wireless network, you might have plugged your scanner into it. Instead, connect the scanner to a USB port on your Mac (you might need to use an adapter if your scanner doesn’t have a USB-C cable).
  5. If multiple users are logged into your Mac, this can sometimes cause problems when trying to connect to a scanner. Try logging out of all user accounts on your Mac, then logging back in with the one you want to use. Then, try using your scanner again.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I write on the doucment I scanned?
    Community Answer
    You can use software like iSkysoft PDF Editor 6 Professional for Mac, which is free to download.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Where does the picture get saved on my Mac computer when I scan it?
    Community Answer
    Supposedly in the file designated by "SCAN TO" in the options menu, but you can also check "PICTURES."
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    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What do I do if I follow all the steps, but nothing happens?
    Community Answer
    Check to see if the box "use custom size" is checked. If so, uncheck and try again.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-a-scanner-to-use-with-mac-mh28039/mac
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/update-printer-software-a-printing-problem-mchlp1077/mac
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/preview/scan-a-document-or-image-prvw28034/mac
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/image-capture/scan-images-imgcp1004/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/scan-images-documents-a-scanner-mac-mh28032/mac
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/insert-photos-documents-iphone-ipad-mchl9aebdc99/mac
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102332
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/solve-scanning-problems-on-mac-mh30812/mac

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