Build & Publish a Document Scanner App Without Coding in 2026 (Base 44 + Despia)

Introduction

Let’s be real: building a polished iOS app used to mean months (or years) of coding, testing, debugging, and praying Xcode doesn’t crash at the worst possible time. But in 2026, that whole “you must be a developer first” idea is getting flipped on its head.

In the video you shared, the creator breaks down how a document scanning app—similar to iScanner, which reportedly pulls in $4M per month—can be replicated using AI app-building tools with zero traditional coding. The workflow centers on two platforms:

  • Base 44: to generate the app UI and core features using prompts
  • Despia: to package the web app into an iOS app and submit it to the App Store

And yep—this includes the good stuff: upload + preview, AI text recognition (OCR), document editing, digital signatures, camera capture, and multi-format exporting.

Let’s walk through the full system in a clean, professional, step-by-step way.

What You’re Building: A “Scanner + Editor + Export” Productivity App

The app in the tutorial is essentially a modern PDF/document scanner that lets users:

  • Scan documents via upload or camera
  • Extract text using AI-powered OCR
  • Save results into editable documents (Word/Docs-style)
  • Add a digital signature
  • Store and manage files in history
  • Export in formats like PDF, JPEG, PNG, and more
  • Publish to the Apple App Store without writing code

This is the kind of productivity app people actually use daily—students, freelancers, office teams, small business owners, you name it.

Tools Used in This No-Code AI Workflow

1) Base 44 (AI App Builder)

Base 44 is used to generate the front-end and core workflows. You describe what you want, and it builds:

  • Navigation (Dashboard, History, Settings)
  • Upload/camera capture flows
  • OCR extraction + display
  • Document editor + formatting controls
  • Signature pad UI + saving logic
  • Export/download functionality

2) Despia (iOS Packaging + App Store Submission)

Despia handles the scary part most beginners dread:

  • Wrapping the web app as a native iOS app
  • Creating builds (IPA files)
  • Uploading builds to App Store Connect
  • Guiding Apple Developer setup (IDs, capabilities, keys)
  • Making submission easier and more “checklist-based”

So, Base 44 builds the house. Despia helps you get it approved and listed on the block.

Step 1: Structure the App Layout First (Don’t Skip This)

Before features, the video stresses building your skeleton:

  • Mobile-optimized navigation

  • Tabs/sections for:

    • Dashboard
    • History
    • Settings

  • A modern productivity-style color palette and UI vibe

Why this matters: once the layout is clean, every feature plugs into an obvious place. Otherwise, you’ll be duct-taping buttons everywhere later (and it gets messy fast).

Step 2: Add Upload + Live Preview (The First “Real” Scanner Feel)

Next, the app gets an upload workflow that lets users pick an image and see it instantly.

Base 44 is prompted to create:

  • An image picker
  • A preview area
  • A Scan Now button (initially non-functional)

Testing shows an uploaded document image popping right into the preview—small detail, big psychological win. It starts feeling like a real scanner app immediately.

Step 3: Add AI Text Recognition (OCR) That Actually Works

Now we’re cooking.

Base 44 is instructed to implement a scanning feature that:

  • Takes the uploaded image
  • Uses AI-based OCR to extract text
  • Displays extracted text in an output box/section
  • Provides a button to confirm and save the scan

This is the “wow moment” because it’s not just UI anymore—the app is functional. The demo shows accurate text extraction from a sample document.

Key takeaway: OCR is the core value driver. A scanner app without OCR is basically just a camera roll with extra steps.

Step 4: Turn Scans Into Editable Documents (Like Word/Docs)

Here’s where the app jumps from “scanner” to “document workflow tool.”

After extracting text, users can:

  • Save text as an editable document
  • Use formatting tools (alignment, styling, etc.)
  • Open a preview modal to review before saving
  • Store saved documents in a History section for later access and edits

This is huge because it makes the app stickier—people come back because it becomes their document hub, not just a one-time scanner.

Step 5: Add a Digital Signature Pad (For Real-World Use)

Let’s face it—signatures are a must-have. Contracts, school forms, onboarding docs, approvals… it’s everyday stuff.

The tutorial adds a signature workflow with:

  • A signature pad (draw with finger)

  • Buttons for:

    • Draw
    • Clear
    • Apply

  • Signature placed at the bottom of the document

Testing confirms the signature saves correctly and shows up in history documents. This “completes the loop” for many use cases: scan → edit → sign → export.

Step 6: Add Camera Capture (Because Users Prefer Photos)

Not everyone has a file ready to upload. Most people scan by snapping a quick pic.

So Base 44 is prompted to add:

  • A Take Photo button
  • Device camera integration
  • Captured image routes directly into the scanning pipeline

The demo doesn’t show the live camera feed due to recording constraints, but it works on a real device.

Why it matters: camera capture is the default behavior people expect from any scanner app. Without it, your app feels incomplete.

Step 7: Saving + Exporting in Multiple Formats

Now it’s time for output.

The app gets export options like:

  • PDF
  • JPEG
  • PNG
  • Other common formats (depending on implementation)

Base 44 generates export buttons and download flows, and testing shows the exports downloading smoothly.

This is also a monetization lever: many scanner apps gate “export to PDF” behind a subscription. (More on that later.)

Step 8: Make the App Public (Important for Submission)

One crucial snag: Base 44 apps may default to requiring login.

But for Despia to package and submit, the app must be publicly accessible (especially for review/testing), so the tutorial:

  • Disables login requirement in Base 44 publish settings
  • Generates a new public URL
  • Uses that URL in Despia as the “app source”

Step 9: Create a Despia Project + Add App Assets

Inside Despia, you:

  • Create a new app project (e.g., “Document Scanner Pro”)

  • Paste the public Base 44 URL

  • Upload required assets:

    • 1024×1024 app icon
    • Splash screen GIF (or image, depending on requirements)

From here, it shifts into Apple Developer territory—where things are annoying, but manageable.

Step 10: Connect Apple Developer Account (Keys + IDs)

Despia requires Apple credentials for secure publishing. The presenter grabs:

  • API Key ID
  • P8 key file
  • Issuer ID
  • Development Team ID

These are uploaded into Despia’s deployment panel to authenticate with Apple.

Tip: store these safely. Treat them like passwords.

Step 11: Create Apple Identifiers + Capabilities (The “Big Checklist”)

This is the most detailed portion. Despia provides a list of required identifiers (App IDs) that must be created in Apple Developer portal.

The setup includes:

Main App Bundle ID

Capabilities enabled (as shown in the tutorial):

  • App Attest
  • App Groups
  • Associated Domains
  • iCloud (CloudKit)
  • Push Notifications
  • Broadcast Extensions

Additional Targets

  • OneSignal push notification target
  • App Clip target
  • Share target
  • Smart widget target

Each needs:

  • Matching bundle IDs
  • Certain capabilities (often App Groups + related settings)
  • Links back to app groups for integrated behavior

This looks intimidating, but it’s mostly “create ID → check boxes → save → repeat.”

Step 12: App Store Connect Setup (Where Your Listing Lives)

Now you create the app listing inside App Store Connect:

  • Platform: iOS
  • App name
  • Primary language
  • Bundle ID (main app ID)
  • SKU (unique internal identifier)

If your preferred app name is taken, you adjust it slightly (the video shows an example like “document scanner pro-scanit”).

Then you:

  • Copy the Apple ID generated
  • Paste it into Despia to link everything

Despia then builds the iOS app and uploads the .ipa build into App Store Connect.

Step 13: Final App Store Submission Requirements

Apple won’t review until the listing is complete.

You’ll need:

A Privacy Policy URL

The presenter generates a basic one via:

(If you collect data, your policy must reflect it accurately.)

Screenshots (iPhone + iPad)

Upload visuals that show:

  • Dashboard
  • Scan preview
  • OCR results
  • Document editor
  • Signature screen
  • Export options
  • History list

App Metadata

Fill in:

  • Promotional text
  • Description
  • Keywords (e.g., scan, documents, PDF)
  • Support URL
  • Version number (must match Despia build)
  • Copyright
  • Category
  • Age rating questionnaire
  • Pricing (free in the demo)

Privacy “Nutrition Labels”

The demo sets:

  • Image data collected only (as stated)

Be honest here—Apple can reject apps for mismatched privacy claims.

Step 14: Submit for Review

Once everything is filled out, you:

  • Select the uploaded build
  • Click Submit for Review
  • Wait for Apple’s review process to complete

And that’s it: from prompt-built app → packaged iOS build → App Store submission.

Practical Monetization Ideas (Inspired by Scanner Apps Like iScanner)

If you’re trying to build a real business (not just a demo), typical scanner monetization models include:

  • Freemium + subscription

    • Free: basic scan + limited exports
    • Paid: unlimited OCR, PDF export, cloud sync, watermark removal

  • One-time unlock

    • “Pro features forever”

  • Pay-per-export

    • Charge small fees for premium exports or batch processing

Just don’t go overboard—users can smell “cash grab” pricing from a mile away.

Common App Store Gotchas (Avoid These Headaches)

A few ways people get rejected:

  • Privacy policy doesn’t match actual data usage
  • App requires login but has no clear reason
  • Broken links (support URL, policy URL)
  • Screenshots don’t represent actual functionality
  • Missing export functionality or non-working features
  • Metadata keyword stuffing (Apple hates that)

FAQs

Can I really build this without coding?

Yes—based on the workflow shown, Base 44 handles feature generation through prompts, and Despia manages packaging and App Store submission steps.

Do I need an Apple Developer account?

Yes. Publishing to the iOS App Store requires an Apple Developer Program membership.

What features make a scanner app feel “complete”?

At minimum:

  • Camera capture
  • Image preview
  • OCR extraction
  • Save + history
  • Export to PDF Bonus points for signatures and editing.

Why does Apple require so many identifiers and targets?

Because iOS apps often include multiple components (main app, widgets, extensions, push notification services). Each needs its own identity and permission set.

What’s the most time-consuming part?

Usually the Apple Developer portal setup (IDs, capabilities, keys) and finishing App Store metadata (screenshots + privacy details).

Final Takeaway

This 2026 workflow shows how AI tools are bulldozing the old barriers to app creation. With Base 44, you can build a feature-rich document scanner app through prompts—uploading, OCR, editing, signatures, camera capture, and exporting. Then Despia helps convert that project into a real iOS build and guides you through App Store submission.

No years of coding. No giant dev team. Just a structured process, the right tools, and attention to Apple’s publishing requirements.

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