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How to digitize printed photos with your phone

Follow these steps to capture a clean digital copy of your treasured prints. Once you have a scan, you can upload it to My Restored Photo, preview the restoration in seconds, and keep your originals safe in storage.

By My Restored Photo Team · Published October 10, 2025 · Updated October 13, 2025 · 6 min read

Ready to restore? Compare credit packs on our pricing section once your scans are exported.

Why phone scans work for vintage photos

If you have ever googled phrases like "scan old photos with a phone" or "digitize family photos without a scanner," this workflow is for you. A modern smartphone camera combined with the right lighting can capture enough detail for My Restored Photo to clean scratches, brighten faded faces, and deliver print-ready files.

  • High resolution sensors on iPhone and Android cameras rival basic flatbed scanners for 4x6 and 5x7 prints.
  • Popular photo scanner apps guide you through glare-free captures and enhance color automatically.
  • Fast captures mean you can digitize a shoebox of pictures in one afternoon and upload them straight to our online restoration studio.

What you will need

  • A smartphone released in the last five years (iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, or similar).
  • One of the scanning apps below or the built-in camera document mode.
  • A clean, flat surface such as a desk, kitchen counter, or poster board.
  • Soft, even lighting. Natural daylight from a nearby window is ideal.

1. Prepare the photo

A few minutes of prep prevents glare and blur later.

  • Gently dust the print with a microfiber cloth.
  • Place it on a flat, neutral surface near indirect daylight. Avoid direct sun or harsh lamps.
  • If the photo curls, sandwich it under a large book for a few minutes so it lies flat.
Tip: Turn off overhead lights that create hot spots, then position two softer light sources (like desk lamps) at 45-degree angles to reduce glare.

2. Choose a capture method

Any modern smartphone works. Pick the option that feels most comfortable and gives you edges as straight as possible.

PhotoScan by Google Photos

Free on iOS and Android. It guides you through four quick angles to remove glare automatically.

  1. Install PhotoScan from your app store and sign in with your Google account (optional).
  2. Open the app, align the photo within the frame, then tap the capture button.
  3. Move your phone over each on-screen dot. The app stitches the angles to eliminate glare.
  4. Crop if needed, then save the scan. It will appear in Google Photos for easy sharing.

iPhone Notes document scanner

Built into iOS - great if you prefer not to install extra apps.

  1. Open the Notes app and start a new note.
  2. Tap the camera icon, select Scan Documents, and point your phone at the photo.
  3. Notes will auto-capture once it detects the edges. Adjust the corners if it needs help, then tap Keep Scan.
  4. Hit Save, then use the share menu to send the image to your photo library or Files app.

Android camera or Google Drive scanner

Most Android phones include built-in scan modes in the camera or Google Drive.

  1. In the Camera app, look for modes named Scan or Document. If unavailable, open Google Drive, tap the plus button, and choose Scan.
  2. Align the frame so the photo fills most of the screen.
  3. Capture, adjust the crop, and boost brightness if the scan looks dark.
  4. Export to your gallery as a JPEG or PNG so it is ready for upload.
Stabilize your phone: Rest your elbows on the table or use a small tripod to avoid motion blur.

3. Check the digital file

Before you upload, confirm the scan looks sharp and balanced.

  • Zoom in to make sure faces and fine details look crisp.
  • Rotate if the photo is sideways and trim any leftover background.
  • Save the final version as JPEG, PNG, or WebP - the formats My Restored Photo accepts.

4. Upload to My Restored Photo

  • Sign in or create your free account.
  • Use your complimentary credit to test one restoration. Each credit covers one photo and includes three redo attempts.
  • Your images stay private, are never shared with third parties, and are automatically deleted after 30 days.
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