To scan multiple pages into one PDF, you can use Windows Fax & Scan or Windows Scan on a PC, or Preview and Image Capture on a Mac. On mobile, applications such as Notes, Genius Scan, CamScanner, or Google Drive make the process just as simple.
It is important to know how to use these tools since scanning one page at a time often leaves you with a folder full of separate files that are hard to organize and even harder to share.
A single PDF keeps everything in one place, so it’s quick to send to others, store, and search through later. In this guide, we will cover different ways to scan multiple pages into one PDF on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, along with tips on how to make the process even simpler.
Why Scan Multiple Pages Into One PDF?
Scanning multiple pages into one PDF has benefits for both personal and professional use.
First, it is convenient for sharing and emailing; you do not need to send dozens of documents, and your recipient does not have to manage multiple attachments. With everything bundled neatly into one PDF, there is a lower risk of losing or overlooking important pages.
Furthermore, it makes it easier to organize files. Combining multiple pages into a single PDF keeps related documents together, making them simple to store, search, and retrieve.
This is especially important if you often handle large volumes of documents; for example, if you are a lawyer managing case files, a researcher compiling studies, or a business owner dealing with financial records.
Finally, scanning several pages into one PDF simplifies editing, annotating, and archiving. You can use PDF editors to add highlights and comments or rearrange pages without having to juggle multiple files. For long-term storage, a single PDF takes up less space. If you want physical copies for peace of mind, printing one document is also much simpler.
How to Scan Multiple Pages into One PDF on Different Devices
Scanning multiple pages into one PDF is easy once you have a scanner or a device with a camera and free scanning software. Below is how to approach it for Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
Device | Tools |
|---|---|
Windows | Windows Fax & Scan Windows Scan HP Smart, Canon IJ Scan Utility, Epson Scan, or Brother iPrint&Scan |
Mac | Preview Image Capture |
iPhone | Notes Genius Scan |
Android | Google Drive CamScanner |
#1. Windows
If you are a Windows user, the Windows Fax & Scan application supports batch scanning into one file. Connect your scanner, open the app, and select New Scan. After scanning the first page, click Scan more pages to keep adding them to the same document.
An alternative is the Windows Scan application, which you can download from the Microsoft Store and which has a simpler interface than Windows Fax & Scan. You can also try NAPS2 (Not Another PDF Scanner 2), a free program that allows you to adjust the quality of your scans.
Otherwise, most scanners come with their own software, such as HP Smart, Canon IJ Scan Utility, Epson Scan, or Brother iPrint&Scan. These often have a built-in option to scan and combine documents that you can use.
#2. Mac
On Mac, you can use the pre-installed Preview application to scan and combine documents. Connect your scanner, open Preview, and go to File > Import from Scanner. After scanning the first page, continue adding pages, and they will be automatically compiled into a single PDF. You can also reorder, rotate, or delete pages before saving with Preview.
Image Capture is another tool that comes pre-installed on Mac that lets you connect to a scanner, choose page settings, and scan documents directly to your Mac. Before doing so, you can make resolution, size, and color adjustments.
#3. iPhone
The best way to scan large documents on an iPhone is with the Notes app. All you need to do is open Notes, create a new note, tap the Camera icon, and select Scan Documents. After capturing your first page, tap the + button to add more pages to the same scan session. To finish, tap Save > Create PDF.
Additionally, Genius Scan automatically detects document edges, crops the image, and enhances clarity, though you can adjust the perspective manually if you want. Once scanned, it is possible to reorder, rotate, or merge the pages before saving as a PDF format on mobile.
#4. Android
On Android, you can use Google Drive or CamScanner. In Google Drive, tap the + button, select Scan, capture your first page, and tap + again to continue adding pages. Everything will automatically save as a multi-page PDF to your Google Drive.
With CamScanner, you can scan in batch mode to capture multiple pages, then crop, rotate, reorder, and enhance them before exporting as a PDF. It includes OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which enables you to extract text from your scans for easier editing or searching.
How to Combine Multiple Scanned PDFs into One File
To combine multiple scanned PDFs into one file after scanning them separately, you can use PDF.net. Follow these simple steps:
1. Go to PDF.net.
2. Select Merge at the top of the page.
3. Upload your first scan through the Drop file here to merge box or the Choose file function. The tool supports DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, and PDF formats.
4. Click + Add file to upload more scans.
5. Reorder the scan as needed by clicking Left or Right.
6. Select Merge files once you are satisfied with the order of your scans.
7. Click the Done drop-down menu to Download or Print the PDF.
Troubleshooting Scanning Issues
Keep the following in mind when troubleshooting scanning issues:
- Scanner not saving as PDF. When your scanner defaults to image formats like JPEG or TIFF, check your scan settings and switch the output format to PDF. If your scanner doesn’t support it, you can use PDF.net to convert images to a PDF after scanning.
- Pages out of order. This often happens when batch mode is disabled or when the pages were scanned separately. To avoid it, be sure to scan sequentially; if you have done so but realize later on that there are mistakes, you can use PDF.net to rearrange the pages before exporting the final file.
- File size too large. The file size can become excessively large when there are many pages scanned and combined. A workaround is to lower the scan resolution (e.g., 200 DPI instead of 600 DPI). If that is not possible, you can compress the PDF using PDF.net afterward.
- Software crashes or fails to recognize multiple scans. With this, you will have to update your scanner drivers and restart. Scanning in batches or switching to a lightweight application, such as NAPS2, Genius Scan, or CamScanner, can also help.
5 Powerful Tips for Efficient Multi-Page Scanning
Here are some game-changing tips for efficient multi-page scanning:
- Use an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). If your scanner has an ADF, take advantage of it. This feature allows you to load a stack of pages that the machine scans automatically, saving you from placing each sheet manually.
- Flatten and clean documents. Remember to remove staples, paper clips, and folds so pages feed smoothly and scans look professional. This will also reduce the chance of paper jams that can interrupt your scanning session.
- Scan in batches if needed. Doing so helps you avoid software crashes. Rest assured that it is a lot more time-consuming to subsequently merge the batches with online PDF merge tools like PDF.net.
- Preview before the final save. Most scanning software shows a preview of each page. Use this to double-check the alignment before you commit to saving, so you do not have to redo entire batches.
- Name files consistently. This will make searching, sorting, and archiving much easier later on. You just need to adopt a simple naming system, like “ProjectA_Report_September2025.pdf.”
- Save backups to cloud storage. This means uploading your scanned PDFs to services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. In case of hardware failure, you will still have secure access to your documents and can quickly restore them.
Polish Your PDFs with PDF.net
After scanning multiple pages into one PDF, you can polish your document using PDF.net’s full suite of tools. If any pages are out of order, simply rearrange them to maintain the correct flow; additionally, you can add page numbers to make the document easier to follow, especially for long files.
PDF.net also lets you highlight important sections, add annotations or comments, and even password-protect your PDF to control who can access it.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to scan multiple pages into one PDF makes managing documents much simpler. On Windows, tools like Windows Fax & Scan, Windows Scan, or NAPS2 get the job done. On Mac, you can use Preview or Image Capture.
For iOS and Android, Notes, CamScanner, and Genius Scan handle multi-page scans efficiently. Regardless of the tool you choose, don’t forget to follow best practices—batch scanning, using OCR, naming files consistently, and backing up to the cloud—to make the process efficient.
How to Scan Multiple Pages into One PDF FAQs
#1. How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF without Adobe?
To scan multiple pages into one PDF without Adobe, you can use Windows Fax & Scan, Preview on Mac, Notes on iPhone, Google Drive, or free scanning apps like CamScanner and Genius Scan.
#2. Can I scan multiple pages into one PDF on my phone?
Yes, you can scan multiple pages into one PDF on your phone. Use the Notes app if you are on an iPhone or download a scanning app like CamScanner or Genius Scan, which are both available on iOS and Android.
#3. How to scan double-sided documents into one PDF?
To scan double-sided documents into one PDF, manually flip the pages, scan the backs, and reorder them using a PDF editor. If your scanner has duplex mode, it will automatically capture both sides.
#4. How do I make my scanned PDF searchable?
To make your scanned PDFs searchable, you will need to use OCR tools, which you can find online. However, certain scanning apps, like CamScanner, already have OCR built in.
#5. Can I reduce the file size of a multi-page PDF?
Yes, you can reduce the file size of a multi-page PDF by using PDF.net’s compression tool. Reducing resolution, using grayscale instead of color, and removing unnecessary images also help keep the file size smaller.
#6. Will my pages stay in order when I scan multiple pages to PDF?
Your pages will stay in order when you scan multiple pages to PDF if you load pages correctly or use an Automatic Document Feeder (ADF). In case they do not, you can reorder them in just a few minutes using PDF.net.
#7. Can I reorder my pages after I scan multiple pages to PDF?
Yes, you can reorder your pages after scanning multiple pages to PDF. Many applications will offer you this option. If not, you can use PDF.net to drag and drop pages into the correct sequence before exporting as the final PDF.
#8. Are there differences between free vs. paid PDF scanning solutions?
Yes, there are differences between free and paid PDF scanning solutions. The latter often offer advanced features like higher OCR accuracy. However, the tools mentioned above are all free and can still get the job done well.