This article explains how to use Meal Scan to log a meal by taking a photo with your phone camera. It walks you through the steps on iOS and Android, shows you how to adjust servings, and answers common questions about the feature.
Some days you have time to search the database, scroll the results, and pick the exact yogurt. Other days your lunch is getting cold. Meal Scan is for those other days. Point your camera at your plate, and MyFitnessPal suggests what it sees so you can log it and get back to eating.
The Meal Scan is a Premium-only feature that is currently available for users on iOS 18/Android 13 and above, running the MyFitnessPal app version 22.17 or newer with the language set to English. Meal Scan is not available on the MyFitnessPal website.
Using the Meal Scanner
iOS
- Open the MyFitnessPal app and tap the Plus (+) button at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Meal Scan button under the search bar.
- Read the quick walkthrough that appears the first time you use the feature.
- Point your camera at your food and tap the round blue shutter button. You can also tap Upload photo to choose a picture you already took.
- Choose a food from the list of suggestions.
- Tap the food to adjust the serving size or number of servings.
- Tap the checkmark, then tap Log.
Android
- Open the MyFitnessPal app and tap the Plus (+) button at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Meal Scan.
- Read the quick walkthrough that appears the first time you use the feature.
- Point your camera at your food and tap the round blue shutter button.
- Choose a food from the list of suggestions.
- Tap the food to adjust the serving size or number of servings.
- Tap the checkmark, then tap Log.
Add a food Meal Scan did not spot
Cameras miss things. If a food is not in the suggestions, you can search the MyFitnessPal database without leaving the Meal Scan screen.
- Tap the Add more option on the Meal Scan results screen.
- Type the name of the food you want to add into the search bar.
- Select the food item you want to add to your meal, then tap View items to adjust the serving size or number of servings.
- When you’re done adding items to your meal, tap Log.
Frequently asked questions
How does Meal Scan recognize my food?
MyFitnessPal uses machine learning and computer vision, which means the app has been trained to recognize foods from millions of photos. When you take a picture, it compares what it sees to that training and suggests matching foods from our verified food database.
What makes a good Meal Scan photo?
Hold your phone steady and get the whole plate in the frame. Good lighting helps. If your meal has several items, scanning one dish at a time usually gives you more accurate suggestions.
What if the suggestions are wrong?
Skip the suggestions that do not match and search the database for the right food instead. Meal Scan gives you a starting point, not a final answer, so you always have the last word on what goes in your diary.
Where do I send feedback about Meal Scan?
We would love to hear from you. Submit a request to our support team or email us at support@myfitnesspal.com.