Everything you need to know about scanning books and finding reading levels.
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) can be found in several places:
If the barcode won't scan, flip to the copyright page inside the front cover. The ISBN is always printed there in plain text.
Books often have multiple ISBNs because each format gets its own number:
If one ISBN doesn't find reading levels, try another! The hardcover edition often has better reading level data than newer paperback reprints.
ISBN-13 is the current standard (13 digits, starts with 978 or 979). ISBN-10 is the older format (10 digits, used before 2007).
QuickScan accepts both formats. If you have an ISBN-10, you can enter it directly - we'll convert it automatically. Most barcodes use ISBN-13.
Some books don't have ISBNs:
Unfortunately, QuickScan requires an ISBN to look up book data. For books without ISBNs, you may need to check reading levels manually through AR BookFinder or Scholastic Book Wizard websites.
If a book isn't found, it's usually one of these reasons:
Look inside the book for a different ISBN (hardcover vs paperback). Different editions often have different data availability.
If the barcode won't scan:
On iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings in the app and toggle "Use Front Camera" under the Camera section.
On Mac: Go to Settings and select your preferred camera from the dropdown. This is helpful if you have an external webcam.
QuickScan displays up to 6 different reading level systems when available:
Additionally, AR data includes quiz number, points, and word count when available.
Not every book has been assessed by every reading level system:
When exact data isn't available, QuickScan may show converted/estimated levels based on available data.
QuickScan aggregates reading level data from multiple trusted sources including AR BookFinder, Scholastic, and Lexile databases. We don't store a database of books - we query these sources in real-time to ensure you get the most current information available.
QuickScan can level a whole library that's handed off from our companion app, Bookshelf Scanner. Instead of scanning each book one at a time, QuickScan receives the list of books, looks up each one's reading levels using its usual sources, and sends the levels back — so an entire classroom library can be leveled in a single pass.
Yes. QuickScan shows progress as it works through the list, so you always know how far along it is. If the process is interrupted — for example, you leave the app — it picks up where it left off. Books that were already leveled aren't looked up again.
Batch leveling uses the same reading level sources as a normal scan, so some books may not have every level available. An active QuickScan subscription is required to look up reading levels.
Yes! Your scan history automatically syncs across all your devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac) via iCloud. Make sure you're signed into the same iCloud account on all devices.
Swipe left on any book in your history list to reveal the delete button, then tap Delete.
The Grade Level filter in History shows books that match the selected grade using the best available data for each book. It checks three sources in order:
This means books appear in your filtered results even if they don't have an explicit grade, as long as their ATOS or Lexile level maps to the selected grade.
Grade conversions from ATOS and Lexile are approximate. Different reading level systems don't always agree on exact grade equivalents, so use these as a starting point for book selection.
Session mode keeps the camera open between books so you can clear a whole stack in one go. Turn it on with the stacked-squares button inside the scanner, then a running session-count badge tracks how many books you've leveled in the current session.
New users get an intro offer to try QuickScan. Once you reach the free scan limit, you'll see an upgrade screen — a subscription unlocks unlimited scanning, PDF export, and iCloud sync. Your already-scanned books and current session are preserved when you upgrade.
Subscriptions are handled through your Apple Account. You can manage or cancel any time in Settings → your name → Subscriptions.
The Schools edition is fully unlocked — there's no scan limit and no subscription. This section applies to the standard QuickScan edition on the App Store.
The Gap Report shows how your leveled library spreads across reading-level bands, so you can see where you're well-stocked and where you're short on books. It's built entirely from the books already in your History.
The Gap Report shows aggregate band counts only. It never includes student names or individual book titles.
You can view your library's level distribution and gaps for free. Exporting the Gap Report PDF is a subscription feature in the standard QuickScan edition; it's included in QuickScan for Schools.
Exports include:
CSV exports open in Excel, Google Sheets, or any spreadsheet app. PDF exports are formatted for printing with the app name and date.
Yes. You can import a CSV file to add many books at once — ideal for moving a library between devices, restoring from a backup, or bulk-loading a classroom or school collection without scanning each book.
The Import button is always available — you don't need any books in your library first, so it's the quickest way to bring an existing collection into a new install. The importer only accepts comma-separated .csv files; spreadsheets such as .xlsx or .numbers must be saved or exported as CSV first.
The easiest way to get a correctly formatted file is to export from QuickScan first — an exported CSV re-imports perfectly. The import file must have this exact header row, with columns in this order:
Title,Author,ISBN,ATOS Level,Lexile,DRA,GRL,Grade,Interest Level,AR Points,Word Count,AR Quiz #,Scanned Date
Example rows:
Title,Author,ISBN,ATOS Level,Lexile,DRA,GRL,Grade,Interest Level,AR Points,Word Count,AR Quiz #,Scanned Date Charlotte's Web,E. B. White,9780064410939,4.4,680L,40,R,3,LG,5.0,31938,17,06/17/2026 The Giver,Lois Lowry,9780544336261,5.7,760L,44,Y,6,MG,11.0,43617,401,06/17/2026
Unknown) if you don't have that value.4.4); Word Count and AR Quiz # are whole numbers; Lexile, DRA, GRL, Grade, and Interest Level are text."Lowry, Lois".Imports never overwrite or create duplicates. Any row whose ISBN already exists in your library — or appears more than once in the same file — is counted as Skipped and left unchanged. Only new ISBNs are added. The summary after each import tells you exactly how many books were Imported, Skipped (already present), and Failed (couldn't be read).
Good lighting is especially important for webcam scanning. Position your book in a well-lit area for best results.
Yes! If you have multiple cameras, go to Settings > Camera to select which one to use. External webcams often provide better quality than built-in cameras.
Widgets are a premium feature available with a QuickScan subscription. Tap the widget to open the app and subscribe to unlock widgets.
This means we couldn't find the book in any of our data sources. Try:
This indicates a network issue. Try:
QuickScan requires an internet connection to look up book data.
To enable camera access:
Our support team is here to help you get the most out of QuickScan.
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