Step 1. Preparing to scan

• Choose a clean, flat, and well-lit place. The best option is diffused daylight, e.g., by a window, but without direct sunlight to avoid shadows and glare.
• Remove dust from the photo and the surface. Carefully wipe the photo with a soft cloth.
• Prepare your smartphone: charge your phone and close other apps.

Step 2. Download and install the PhotoScan app

Download PhotoScan by Google Photos for Android (Google Play)

Download PhotoScan by Google Photos for iOS (App Store)

• Open Google Play (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS).
• Search for “PhotoScan by Google Photos.”
• Download and install the app on your smartphone.

Step 3. Launch the app and prepare for scanning

• Open PhotoScan.
• Allow access to the camera and storage, if prompted.
• Read the short on-screen instructions and proceed to scan.

Step 4. How to scan a photo correctly

1. Lay the photo on a flat, neutral-colored, non-reflective surface.
2. Position your smartphone camera so that the photo fits entirely within the on-screen frame. Try to hold the device level and steady.
3. Tap the scan button. The app will prompt you to take four photos—move the camera to the special points (white dots) that appear on the screen one by one.
4. Slowly move your phone to each of the four points. This allows the app to process the image and remove glare and distortions.
5. Wait while the app processes the photo and creates a high-quality scan.

Step 5. Checking and saving results

• After processing, you will see the completed scan.
• If necessary, crop, rotate, or enhance the image using the built-in tools.
• Tap “Save”—your scan will be automatically saved in your phone gallery and in Google Photos (if you use synchronization).
• Repeat the process for all the photos you want to digitize.