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Frequently asked questions

Direct answers, optimized for clarity and AI search.

Is ScanWow a Microsoft Lens alternative?

Yes. ScanWow is built to replace the core scanning workflow: capture, auto-crop, enhance, and export to PDF.

Does ScanWow work offline?

ScanWow is designed with an offline-first approach so you can scan without relying on a connection and share when you're ready.

Do I need an account?

No. You can start scanning without creating an account.

How do I export to PDF?

After scanning and confirming the crop, export via the iOS share sheet or save directly to Files.

Is ScanWow affiliated with Microsoft?

No. ScanWow is an independent product and is not affiliated with Microsoft.

Can I search my scans by the text inside them?

Yes. ScanWow 3.0 includes on-device full-text search. Type any word or phrase and ScanWow will find every scan that contains it. The search runs entirely on your device — nothing is sent to a server.

Does ScanWow back up to iCloud?

Yes. Automatic iCloud Backup is a Pro feature introduced in ScanWow 3.0. Your scans back up to your own iCloud account and stay in sync across your iPhone and iPad. No third-party cloud service is involved — it's your iCloud, your data.

Can I import PDFs or photos into ScanWow?

Yes. ScanWow 3.0 lets you import images directly from your Photos library and open PDFs from the Files app or Mail. Each page of a PDF is imported as a separate page within a ScanWow document. You can also receive files from other apps using the standard iOS share sheet.

Does ScanWow work with Siri?

Yes. You can say "Hey Siri, scan a document with ScanWow" to open the scanner hands-free. ScanWow also supports Apple Shortcuts, so you can chain scanning into any automation you already have set up.