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How to Protect Your Privacy When Sharing Documents on iPhone

1
Scan the original document offline

Use Scanto Pro to scan the physical document into a PDF without internet. No data is sent to external servers.

2
Open the PDF in Mask My File

Import the scanned PDF into Mask My File for automatic personal data detection.

3
Review detected personal information

The app highlights detected phone numbers, emails, ID numbers and addresses. Review each one.

4
Deselect anything that needs to remain visible

If there are fields you want the recipient to see, deselect them from the mask list.

5
Apply the mask

Tap Mask to apply permanent black bars over the selected personal data.

6
Export and share the redacted version

Share the redacted PDF via email, AirDrop or Files. The original scan remains in Scanto — only the redacted version is shared.

Apps mentioned

Frequently asked questions

Is the redaction in Mask My File permanent?

Yes. Once you export the masked file, the personal information replaced by black bars cannot be recovered from that exported file.

Can I scan a document offline and keep it off cloud storage?

Yes. Scanto Pro processes everything on-device. If you also disable iCloud for the Files app, the scan won't leave your device.

What types of personal data does Mask My File detect automatically?

Phone numbers, email addresses, ID numbers and home addresses are detected automatically. Detection accuracy depends on document quality and text clarity.