# How to make a scanned PDF searchable on iPhone (OCR) | Nimbo

> Recognize the text of a scanned PDF on iPhone so you can search, select and copy it. On-device OCR, no upload.

On iPhone with Nimbo

# How to make a scanned PDF searchable on iPhone (OCR)

Written by the Nimbo team · Last updated October 1, 2026

Short answer

To make a scanned PDF searchable on iPhone, open it in Nimbo, tap PDF Tools, then Recognize Text. Nimbo reads every page on your device and adds an invisible text layer, so you can search for words, select them and copy them, while the page looks exactly the same.

## Step by step

1. Open the scanned PDF in Nimbo.
2. Tap PDF Tools, then Recognize Text.
3. Wait while each page is read on your iPhone.
4. Search with the magnifier, or select and copy text.

## Why Nimbo

- On-device OCR: private by design.
- The page looks unchanged.
- Makes scans ready for Ask and Translate.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which languages does OCR read?

Latin-script languages and many others supported by iOS text recognition.

### Does it work on handwriting?

Clear handwriting is often recognized; printed text gives the best results.

### Is it part of Pro?

Recognize Text is part of the PDF Tools in Nimbo Pro.

## Related tools

[PDF to Text](https://nimbopdf.com/pdf-to-text/)

## More guides

- [How to sign a PDF on iPhone (in seconds)](https://nimbopdf.com/how-to-sign-a-pdf-on-iphone/)
- [How to scan a document to PDF on iPhone](https://nimbopdf.com/how-to-scan-a-document-to-pdf-on-iphone/)
- [How to translate a whole PDF on iPhone and keep the layout](https://nimbopdf.com/how-to-translate-a-pdf-on-iphone/)
- [How to ask questions to a PDF on iPhone (with the exact source)](https://nimbopdf.com/how-to-ask-questions-to-a-pdf-on-iphone/)

---

Source: https://nimbopdf.com/how-to-make-a-scanned-pdf-searchable-on-iphone/ · Nimbo (English) · https://nimbopdf.com/llms.txt