Scan an ID card

ID card scans both sides of a card and puts them on a single page at real size, ready to print or send. Paperwise types the result as an ID, so it’s protected, and places it on the IDs and passports shelf.

What it is

ID card is a guided camera for anything the size of a bank card: identity cards, driving licences, residence permits, health insurance cards.

A card-shaped frame helps you line up the front, then the back.
Paperwise crops each side and places both on one A4 page, front on the top half, back on the bottom half, at the card’s real size.
The page is made on your iPhone. The photos aren’t uploaded to build it.
The new document is typed as an ID, so it’s protected and appears on the IDs and passports shelf.

For a passport’s photo page, which is larger than a card, use Scan instead.

When to use it

A copy of your ID for a rental application, a bank or a new job.
Keeping your driving licence and insurance card at hand.
Printing both sides on one sheet, at the right size, the way offices ask for it.

Step by step

Tap + at the bottom of the Vault.
Under Capture, tap ID card.
Front: “Fit the front of your card in the frame.” Line the card up with the frame and tap the shutter.
Back: “Now turn the card over.” Take the back the same way. If the card has nothing on the back, tap Skip back.
Check the preview. It shows both sides where they’ll sit on the page.
- Tap Retake next to Front or Back to take that side again.
- If you skipped the back, tap Add back to add it now.
Tap Save ID page.

The document opens. It’s on the IDs and passports shelf and in All items (or in the folder you started from).

At the top of the document, a banner asks once: “This looks like an ID. Move it to Hidden?” Tap Move to Hidden to move it into Hidden now, or Not now to keep it in your vault. Paperwise remembers your answer for this document.

At the top of the camera, Front · Back shows where you are. You can also pick a side from your photo library with Photos instead of the shutter.

Free and Pro

ID card is free.

Privacy

The page is put together on your iPhone. The card photos aren’t sent anywhere to build it.
The document is typed as an ID, so it’s protected: its previews show a lock instead of the page, and opening, sharing or exporting it asks for Face ID, whether or not the app lock is on. See Protected documents, Never send to AI and Hidden.
A shelf’s cover never shows its page.
In your vault, the ID is encrypted by Paperwise with its own key, kept on this iPhone only. That key isn’t behind Face ID, so for the strongest protection move the ID to Hidden with ••• → Move to Hidden: Hidden adds keys only Face ID, your Hidden passcode or your recovery key open.
An ID is never named automatically, even with Pro’s Name and sort new scans on: protected documents are left out of automatic naming. It goes to AI only if you ask for it on that document and agree to the AI notice. To rule that out, mark it ••• → Never send to AI, or move it to Hidden. Hidden items are never sent to AI.

Tips

Lay the card on a dark, plain surface and avoid glare from overhead lights. Tilt the phone slightly if the card’s laminate reflects.
Turn on the flash only in a dark room; it often causes glare on cards.
The page is A4 with the card at real size. If you print it, don’t let the printer scale the page, or the card will come out smaller.

What if…

What if the page couldn’t be made?

You’ll see a message and Try again. Your photos are kept, so you can retry or retake a side.

What if I closed the camera by mistake?

If you had taken a photo, Paperwise asks Discard these photos? first. Choose Discard only if you want to start over.

What if my ID isn’t on IDs and passports?

Check All items. If you moved it to Hidden, it’s no longer on any shelf; open Hidden to find it.

What if I don’t want it protected?

There’s no switch: IDs are protected by their type. If the document isn’t really an ID, change its type with ••• → Change type… and confirm with Face ID. The protection goes away at once.