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Cloud Integration

Scan to Cloud on iPhone

Choose where scans go after capture: iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Use this page as the overview, then open the provider-specific setup guide you need.

iCloud for Apple workflows Google Drive for Workspace Dropbox for shared folders OneDrive for Microsoft 365
Best for: choosing the right storage destination before you automate uploads, archive PDFs, and share scans across laptop, iPhone, and team workflows.
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How to scan documents to cloud storage from iPhone

Cloud upload also changes what comes next. Teams often protect sensitive PDFs before upload, compress scans to save storage, or send searchable files into broader OCR workflows with searchable PDFs on iPhone.

A cloud link is also useful when a PDF is too big to email: keep the original quality and check who can open the shared file before sending the link.

Supported Cloud Storage Services

iCloud Drive →

Native iOS integration with automatic sync across all Apple devices. Documents appear instantly on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Included with every Apple ID — 5 GB free storage, with paid iCloud+ tiers available. Full iCloud guide.

Google Drive →

15 GB free storage with any Google account (shared with Gmail and Google Photos). Access scans from any browser or device. Works with the rest of Google Workspace. Full setup guide.

Dropbox →

Sync documents to a cloud-native file system used by many agencies, design teams, and professional workflows. 2 GB free on Basic, 2 TB on Plus. Works with personal and Dropbox Business accounts. Full setup guide.

OneDrive →

Microsoft's cloud storage integrates with Microsoft 365. 5 GB free, 1 TB included with Microsoft 365 Personal. Works with personal Microsoft accounts and work/school accounts (OneDrive for Business). Full setup guide.

Evernote → and Notion → (share-sheet destinations)

If your "cloud" is really a notes or knowledge tool rather than a file store, the scan goes there through the iOS share sheet into the destination's own app. Evernote files the PDF into a notebook and runs its own search indexing; Notion attaches it to a page or database row. These are not file-system folders like Drive or Dropbox — they are document homes inside a workspace — so the setup is share-then-file rather than background folder sync.

How iPhone scans reach iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive

Save a PDF to iCloud Drive through Files, connect Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for supported uploads, or use the iOS share sheet for a destination app. Evernote and Notion use the share-sheet route. Choose the provider’s setup guide below. Automatic backup is optional and requires a connected supported provider. Offline work stays local; pending uploads can retry after reconnection. Check upload status and open the cloud copy before relying on it as your backup.

On-device until you share — and encryptable before you do

Capture and OCR run on the iPhone. Upload begins when you share a file or enable backup for a connected service. Review the destination account, folder, and permissions; enabling automatic backup changes where future documents are stored. A PDF opening password restricts access to the file; it does not control what someone does after opening it. Send the password separately and follow the recipient’s accepted format. Check cloud sharing permissions as well.

Cross-device workflow

Access Scans from Any Device

Cloud Service iPhone/iPad Mac Windows Web Browser
iCloud Drive Native Files app Finder integration iCloud for Windows icloud.com
Google Drive Google Drive app Google Drive app Google Drive app drive.google.com
Dropbox Dropbox app Dropbox app Dropbox app dropbox.com
OneDrive OneDrive app OneDrive app File Explorer onedrive.com

After an upload finishes, open the destination folder on another device signed into the same cloud account. Open the PDF to verify the copy. A scan saved only in ScanLens does not appear in cloud storage automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cloud services does ScanLens support?

ScanLens supports iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Use this page to compare the options, then open the dedicated setup guide for the provider you already use.

Does auto-upload work offline?

Automatic backup is optional and requires a connected supported provider. Offline work stays local; pending uploads can retry after reconnection. Check upload status and open the cloud copy before relying on it as your backup.

Can I upload to multiple cloud services simultaneously?

Yes. Connect the supported providers you need and enable them for automatic upload. Check the result for each provider; success in one destination does not confirm that the other copies uploaded.

Are my documents secure during cloud upload?

Uploading adds the provider’s storage and account permissions to your workflow. Check the destination folder, shared-link access, and recipient before sending. A PDF password restricts opening; it cannot prevent copying after the file is opened.

Does cloud upload use cellular data?

You can configure upload behavior in settings. Options include Wi-Fi only (saves cellular data) or Wi-Fi and cellular (uploads immediately anywhere). The choice is yours based on your data plan.

How does sending a scan to a cloud service actually work?

Save a PDF to iCloud Drive through Files, connect Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for supported uploads, or use the iOS share sheet for a destination app. Evernote and Notion use the share-sheet route. Choose the provider’s setup guide below.

Cloud-specific setup guides

Scan to Google Drive

Full setup guide for connecting Google Drive — personal or Workspace.

Scan to Dropbox

Full setup guide for Dropbox Basic, Plus, Family, and Business.

Scan to OneDrive

Full setup guide for personal and Microsoft 365 work accounts.

Scan to Evernote

Share-sheet workflow into Evernote notebooks with OCR baked in.
Never Lose Documents

Ready to Backup Scans to Cloud?

Automatic backup is optional and requires a connected supported provider. Offline work stays local; pending uploads can retry after reconnection. Check upload status and open the cloud copy before relying on it as your backup.

Download on the App Store