Scan Pages Into One PDF in ChatGPT on iPhone

ChatGPT's camera now has a Scan option on iPhone. You can snap several pages, one after another, and ChatGPT combines them into a single PDF that's ready to send in the chat. Then you can ask questions about it, just like any other file. OpenAI added it to the ChatGPT release notes on 2 October 2026, and it's still rolling out.

First, one plain term. A PDF is a type of file that keeps pages looking the same on any device. It's a handy way to keep letters, notes and forms together in one place.

1. Open the camera in ChatGPT

Open the ChatGPT app on your iPhone and start a new chat. Then open the camera in ChatGPT.

2. Choose Scan

Tap the three-dot menu and choose Scan. If you can't see Scan yet, it may not have reached your account. It's still rolling out, so check again later.

3. Snap each page

Take a photo of each page, one after another. Your pages are combined into a single PDF, ready to send in the chat. Send it, then type one of the prompts below.

4. Ask for a plain English summary

Start with:

Summarise this in plain English. Keep it short and explain any tricky words.

5. Pull out dates and deadlines

Next, say:

Pull out every date and deadline in this PDF. List them in order, with what each one is for.

Always check dates against the original pages before you act on them. ChatGPT can make mistakes.

6. Turn it into flashcards

Last, say:

Turn this into flashcards.

Flashcards are a separate ChatGPT feature, and they're available on all plans. They're a simple way to revise from class notes or a chapter of a book.

Good to know

• Scan is iOS only for now, so you'll find it in the iPhone app, not on Android.
• It's still rolling out, so you might not see it yet. Keep your ChatGPT app up to date and check again later.
• File upload limits depend on your plan. If a large PDF won't send, check the limits for your plan.
• Take care with private papers, such as bank letters or medical forms. Only scan what you're happy to share with ChatGPT.
• Check anything important, like dates, amounts and names, against the original pages.

Official sources

OpenAI Help: ChatGPT release notes (Scan entry, 2 Oct 2026)

OpenAI Help: Flashcards in ChatGPT