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    Photo Scanning Apps

    Save those old photos before they fade.

    PhotoScan by Google

    • 100% free from Google.
    • Eliminates glare from prints.
    • Auto-crops and straightens.
    • Saves to Google Photos automatically.
    • Best free phone scanner.
    • Works on iPhone + Android.

    How to use PhotoScan

    • Open app, tap scan button.
    • Hold phone over photo.
    • App shows 4 dots — move phone to each.
    • Combines 4 angles to remove glare.
    • Auto-saves to Google Photos.
    • Takes about 10 seconds per photo.

    Apple iPhone Notes app

    • Open Notes, tap camera icon.
    • Tap "Scan Documents."
    • Works for photos too.
    • Saves as PDF or photo.
    • Already on every iPhone — no install.
    • Quick option for simple scans.

    For larger projects

    • Flatbed scanner — Epson Perfection V39 ($90).
    • Higher quality than phone scanning.
    • Better for old fragile photos.
    • USB connects to computer.
    • Slow but quality unmatched.
    • Worth it for hundreds of photos.

    Mail-in services

    • ScanMyPhotos — $0.30 per photo.
    • iMemories — also handles slides + film.
    • Legacybox — premium service, secure shipping.
    • Costco Photo Center — discounted bulk.
    • Mail box of photos — receive digital + originals back.
    • For thousands of photos this saves time.

    Restoring damaged photos

    • Google Photos — auto-enhance feature.
    • MyHeritage In Color — colorize black + white.
    • Remini — AI restoration of blurry photos.
    • Photoshop Express — free basic editing.
    • Local photo studios offer professional restoration.
    • $25–$75 per photo for pro restoration.

    Start with one photo album

    Pick one photo album from a shelf. Open Google PhotoScan. Scan 20 photos this Sunday afternoon. Share with family in Google Photos. Repeat next weekend with another album. Within a few months, all your physical photos will be safely backed up to the cloud — protected from fire, flood, and fading. Future generations can access them. The 20 minutes you spend today preserves family history forever.