How to Scan on a Mac (MacOS 13+ Ventura and later) [2023]

A practical guide to using the built-in scanning option on your Mac computer to scan from most multifunction printers and scanners, no extra software required.

Walks you through the process in detail with a printable one-page summary of the steps at the end. Along the way we point out some of the common mistakes people make and how to avoid them!

This video is based on MacOS 13, Ventura. For Macs running an earlier version of the operating system (Big Sur, Monterey, etc.), please see the earlier version of this video:

[dscourrejou]

You are the best explainer of them all! No one else took the time to explain every little detail, and because of you, I discovered the box to check for "Use custom size". I must have accidentally unchecked that box, and all of a sudden I couldn't control the perimeter of the image. Thank you So MUCH!!

[_valles]

You are a lifesaver, I noticed the computer would “save” the scanned image but couldn’t find it, changed the location to save and followed your process to scan and I saw it in the Downloads I had selected!!❤❤❤❤❤

[vitaltiamo]

I spent 2 days looking for a solution for my hp & macbook scanning problem, didn't gave up I knew there was a solution somewhere and I found your video.
Many thanks this was extremely helpful.

[pccprivate]

I have a RavenGo scanner, which recently stopped working correctly due to Raven closing shop. Found this video and could not believe how easy it was to get my scanner working again. Thanks

[InblisslifeLisaBW]

Wow! I searched and searched and found videos that told me I had to update drivers, etc. SO glad I found your video!! So quick and easy to follow your step by step instructions that allowed me to watch the video (only once!) and FINALLY scan to my Macbook. I love the one page summary at the end too. Thanks so much!

[jackmeister]

I spent 45 minutes yesterday trying to fix a scanning problem, and gave up in frustration. I just found your video, watched it, and resolved the issue. Thank you so much!!

[cjsebes]

Very nice tutorial. Although I was able to print to my wife's printer/scanner, one of the things that I ran into is that I had older or generic drivers that didn't include the scanning functionality. A quick search on the manufacturer's website netted me more up-to-date drivers with what I needed to now scan.

[davidsmith]

Superb video. Simple and easy to understand.

[ian-terrellhawkins]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing.

[izzyartzi]

Thanks to your video, just realized things got little different with the new Ventura OS, no more system preference, now system settings, couldn't find my scan option, your Info is very useful,
saved me time to call Apple, and give them a piece of mind.thx for posting.Mind as well subscribed. to stay informed.

[mariallupo]

Thank you for saving my life for a entry exam I have to do.

[aztecataxicabofbakersfield]

Thank you, this video
Was so helpful!

[thatgirl]

Thanks. Your instructions were perfect!

[jeffbrown]

Thank you. My neat scanner went "south" and I am no longer able to get it back up and functioning as it did in the past. Now I can clean up the pile.

[patrickmarziano]

GREAT video thank you! Besides combining the documents, would you know how to scan both sides of pages in a multiple page document?

[robingomes]

I recently bought a new Macbook Pro 14" with MacOS Ventura and upgraded it to Sonoma. The problem is that the "open scanner" button of my Epson printer-scanner is missing, and hence cannot scan; only print. I reset the printer and reinstalled it but the scan button is missing. In my old Macbook Pro the same printer worked perfectly with scanning. Is it a problem with Sonoma?

[fundamentalimageprocessing]

The "Open Scanner" dialogue doesn't appear for the Epson Stylus SX535WD Multifunction printer. Note: can't add screenshot here!

[xxr-kb]

I have a Canon Maxify GX3040 printer and it has a scanner but the scanner button does not appear on my MacBook. Please help me.🙏

[InblisslifeLisaBW]

Quick question, please. How do I can the next document without having to close the printers & scanners and start over each time? My scanner "holds" the previous image even when it says it's scanning. The only way I have found is to close everything down and then start with step 1 again.

[somedude]

I don't have "open printer" button, Macs suck. Simple things....