OCR PDF scanner

Make scanned documents searchable.

Flatscan runs OCR locally, lets you search saved pages, and can export searchable PDFs with selectable text.

It is built for documents you need to find again: invoices, contracts, receipts, forms, notes, bills, and everyday files that should not disappear into a folder of unnamed scans.

Ask about TestFlight Clean PDF export

Flatscan OCR search screen showing a document text match

Local OCR

Search text inside saved scans.

A scanned image is useful, but a searchable archive is easier to live with. Flatscan stores OCR text locally and uses it for in-app search, so you can search for a remembered word, merchant name, invoice number, or form label and jump back to the right document.

Clean PDF and searchable PDF are separate

Clean PDF export stays available without a watermark. Searchable PDF export is the Pro workflow for documents that need selectable text outside Flatscan.

How it works

From image to searchable PDF.

1. Scan or import

Capture a paper page or import a PDF, photo, or file into the same local archive.

2. Recognize text

Apple Vision OCR reads text on device. OCR quality depends on lighting, blur, language, and document condition.

3. Search locally

Use the Documents search field to find words inside saved OCR text, not just in file names.

4. Export clean PDFs

Share normal PDF files without watermarks for simple saving, printing, or sending.

5. Export searchable PDFs

With Pro, OCR-ready documents can export as PDFs with selectable and searchable text.

6. Keep the archive useful

Rename, organize, and batch-manage documents as your scanned stack grows.

FAQ

OCR PDF scanner questions.

Can Flatscan create searchable PDFs?

Yes. During the 14-day Pro trial or with Flatscan Pro, OCR-ready documents can export as searchable PDFs with selectable text.

Can I search documents inside the app?

Yes. Flatscan searches saved OCR text locally so you can find words inside scans and imported documents.

Does searchable PDF export upload the document?

No. Flatscan does not use a document-upload service for OCR or PDF export.