Scan a recipe from a photo

Get a clear photo

Make sure the ingredients and instructions are in focus and none of the words are cut off. For a cookbook or recipe card, lay the page flat and take the photo in good light.

Scan the recipe

1. Open Curate in Good Fork.

2. Under Scan a recipe, choose Camera to take a photo or Photos to use an image you already have.

3. The first time you scan, you’ll be asked to review how Good Fork uses OpenAI to read recipes. Choose Continue if you’d like to proceed. You may also be asked for camera or photo access.

4. Take or choose your photo and let Good Fork read the recipe.

Check the result before saving

Keep the original beside you and compare it with the imported recipe. Pay particular attention to fractions, units, temperatures, and the order of the steps. Correct any mistakes, then save.

Scanning can miss or misread details, so always check the ingredients yourself if you’re cooking for someone with an allergy or dietary restriction.

If Camera or Photos won’t open

If Good Fork doesn’t have permission to use your camera or photos, choose Open Settings when it’s offered and turn on the access you need.

If you previously chose not to use the AI service, you can change that choice in Settings, under Account → AI service (OpenAI).

If the photo is hard to read

Try another photo with the page closer, flatter, or better lit. If you can copy the recipe’s text, you can paste it into Curate instead.